Cheap Sword For A 12 Yr. Old Boy And Daisho Koshirae

[Shogun8]

Hi All,

 

I'm looking for the following items:

 

• A cheap sword (US$200-250) for a 12 yr. old boy. He's my wife's nephew who's shown an interest in Japanese history, so we'd like to buy something cool for his Confirmation. Wak, katana, tanto - not too fussy, but it has to be authentic.
• A daisho koshirae for a pair of Hozon papered Uda blades. I purchased these blades in shirasaya and I'd like to complete them as a set. Since nihonto is not the focus of my collection, I don't really want to spend big on this, but if you have something you think I'd like, fire me a PM. I do already have a simple black gloss urushi koshirae for the katana, which has a mokko-shaped katchu-shi tsuba that is very thin (which is what attracted me to it), but I've realized that it might be next to impossible to get something to match. But if you have something simple for a wakizashi, that might work too.
• I'm also very attracted to getting a long tsuka for the katana (must be something about feeling inadequate ) of at least 12", so please let me know if you have anything of interest.

That's it for my shopping list.

 

John

[Alex A]

Hi John, $250 might be a struggle for a sword, I have a wakizashi at the cheap end in the sales section, but does have a few issues. If you are interested I might be able to work something out on price for you, shipping mainly. My lads roughly the same age, I let him hold swords only when I'm with him. 

 

You will find it listed as wakizashi for sale, Tadatsuna.

[Shogun8]

Thanks Alex. Unfortunately, with the strength of the pound vs. the CAD$, it's more than what I wanted to spend for this gift.

[Alex A]

I understand John, hopefully something will turn up.

[eternal_newbie]

I've sent you a private message about a couple of blades that may meet your requirements.

[ggil]

Hello John,

 

To protect the blade you have to get one made for it by a pro, or you risk to destroy it (the saya must fit as prescribed by tradition). I guess the most important thing is that we are good custodians of our ambassadors (blades).

[Hoshi]

Its risky business to try and fit a saya that wasn't designed for the sword. And its expensive to have a new one made (and, like a polish, you're unlikely to get your money back unless the fittings and the blade especially, are top-tier. That's my understanding at least). Be especially wary of old bargain sayas that could have impurities inside. Risk of scratch/rust etc. Just a word of caution.