Shinsa outside Japan

[Goldy]

G'day all,

 

I hope I'm not asking the obvious, if so then please forgive such a newbie question.

 

Can anyone tell me if the learned teams from the NBTHK and NTHK travel outside Japan to inspect and attribute/paper swords? If so, are they usually sponsored by an organisation or if an area/country shows enough interest will they attend?

 

Thanks for your help and comments

[kaien]

actually I really am not sure and think I was totally wrong. I am interested to find out as well.

 

I totally lost confidence in what I posted and edited it out, but I believe that when a papered sword is sold to someone outside of Japan the status of that sword is void and no longer recognized by the nbthk. This is how I understood what I read on the process of registering a nihonto,

[Brian]

Yes, they travel outside Japan, and hold shinsas in other countries. The USA, UK and now Australia all have shinsas where origami is issued. (Usually the NTHK)

All papers for swords are valid anywhere the sword is owned. The only exception I believe is with the very top level Jûyô Bijutsuhin, which lose their status if they ever leave Japan. Everything else keeps its papers unless another shinsa changes the origami.

 

Brian

[kaien]

okay, thats what it was. I knew I read something loses it's status if ever taken or sold outside of Japan, which makes much more sense. In fact I believe I read this in regards to many very highly valued swords being taken out of Japan after the war and therefore never being able to be reinstated as a certain title.

[Goldy]

Thanks to all for your help. I've just learned that the NTHK will be in Sydney March 2009. Looking forward to their visit and meeting some people from the Aussie Nihonto community.

 

Thanks again,