Is it worth it ? - ie - If you had 20K to spend.....

[fliwis]

Hello guys, still looking after a nice sword. This bizen katana has been recommanded to me... http://www.owazamono.com/SD003.html . Is it a real good investment...I've no doubts about the beauty of the sword !!! What do you think ? Thanks ...wilfrid

[huntershooter]

Lovely blade.

Since you asked, here's what I think:

I would not buy this blade as an investment (at this price). Buying an item at high retail and expecting to turn a substantial profit is folly.

I would buy this sword because I was in love with the sword-if I could afford it.

I would look elsewhere for an investment.

[fliwis]

Hello, I see your point of view,If I asked this kind of investment question it's not about making profit but more because I'm a novice and I've no clue of the real value. I want to buy a blade like this to have it in my hand and not to increase my bank account. But in case one day I want to trade it with another one. For 19500$ is it still to hight ? I hesitate with this other sword completely different http://www.japanesesword.com/ . Thanks for the advise .

wilfrid

[Brian]

Wilfrid,

 

If you are looking to spend around $20K or more, then you do need to slow down a bit and wait for the right sword to come along. I think in that budget, you can pick up something very nice.

You obviously are leaning towards an early Koto, and for that price it must have papers.

I understand what you mean when you say that you aren't doing it for the money, but would still like to know you have a sound investment for the future.

 

For $30K (negotiate a bit with them?) how about this Juyo:

http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/sale/07616.html

 

There will be many good swords in the $20K bracket. Most of them will sell offline at shows and among collectors. Let's see what suggestions the members here can come up with.

 

So the question to everyone I guess, is a treasure hunt. If you have approx $20K to spend on a sword..what would you snap up? :D

 

Brian

 

Edit to add: Myself...although not early (shinshinto) and not with koshirae, I think I could easily be persuaded to go for this one: http://www.ricecracker.com/japanese_swo ... na/sk5.htm

TH papers, with Tanobe Michihiro Sayagaki and i think it is gorgeous for the price ($25K)

[Stephen]

Wil

 

Id put your wanting to rush in on hold for at least month keep looking at swords, I think you have good taste, the Norimitsu is up there on my list from what else that has been shown. Read a little bit first, you have a great source in a member here who is very knowledgeable and kind person, Jean, id start a correspondence with him for as much time as he would like to help. Your very lucky to be able to spend that kind of money, me id pay off my car loan and CC bills. Take you time lots of great swords in your price range, i would hope it would be one that speaks not just to your head but to your heart as well. youll know it when you see it.

[Jean]

Be my guest, Wilfrid.

 

Stephen, I am reddening at your comments

[Jean]

More seriously, Wilfrid, if you can spend 20k on a sword, wait a little, read a little and be aware that with 5 to 10k more you'll get juyo blades. Advices given by Stephen and Brian are very good.

 

When I was young I was very fast in my decision and I have bought many things which I have regretted later, lacking cash at the instant where a fantastic deal appears. Make-up your mind on what foolows then make your move fast.

 

You must decide what kind of blade you are aiming at : Koto, Shinto,...With/without koshirae ...Which sori/nagasa and above all, which school.

 

For obvious reason, you will find more Juyo choice in Japon than elsewhere.

Prices variy a lot depending on the smith "rating"/fashion. I have seen a juyo Motoshige at 23k$, a signed/ubu Ichimonji at 63k$.

 

Have a look at this page, it will give you an idea of what to expect and you will notice that some swords TH or H are worth the price of a Juyo.. but my advice is go for a Juyo.

 

http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/sale/main.html

 

What's important is to buy something you won't get tired of within a year

 

All is a question of taste, The Sokan shown by Brian is more or less at the same price that the Rai Kunizane, were I to chose, I'll go for the Rai (School Prestige+Juyo paper) :D :D

[Guest reinhard]

It seems you are lucky enough to spend a major amount of money on swords. I strongly recommend to see as many genuine swords at first hand as possible before buying, supposed your time-schedule allows it. The market is satiated at the moment and you can find real beauties for low prices, but you will hardly find them in the web. Many swords there look better on the pics than they actually are and Japanese dealers usually don't offer their best deals on their homepages. With your budget it would be a pity to start with low-end swords for (exaggerated) web-prices.

 

reinhard

[Jean]

What has written Reinhard is true and has already been stated several times by our Japanese NMB members. You won't have access to these swords unless going through NMB members as Guido or others.

 

But the main drawback is that you probably know nobody in Japan able/willing to market for you. Main on-line shops have already been discussed (I launched the topic a few weeks ago).

 

Aoi Art is probably one of the cheapest and from time to time has a beauty. I am quoting Darcy :

A

oi Art - Aoi specializes in well priced pieces usually on the low end, but will sometimes have a great high end piece pop up.

It is the only on-line shop where I have seen an ubu signed Ichimonji blade (6 M yens), it was bought in less than 24 hours.

 

Ginza Choshuya is a top shop with top prices but you have to subscribe to their magazine

 

There are a lot of other on-line shops in the Commercial links listed by NMB (Seikeido ...).

[Guido]

It is the only on-line shop where I have seen an ubu signed Ichimonji blade (6 M yens), it was bought in less than 24 hours.

If we talk about the same blade - and I'm pretty sure we are - it was bought by a well-known American dealer. It had no papers at all at that time, but made Tokubetsu Jûyô the following Shinsa(s). Which also should answer the question "are there any bargains to be found on the internet?"

[Jean]

yes Guido, that was the one