md02geist Posted December 11, 2019 Report Posted December 11, 2019 Hello all! I have a blade I am considering submitting for shinsa to NBTHK. I have never done such a thing before (so please be gentle with guidance), nor will I be traveling to Japan. I am based in the USA. What is the most streamlined way to do this? I have read accounts that certain dealers will handle the transaction for a fee or the like. Any help would be appreciated. 1 Quote
Sly Posted December 11, 2019 Report Posted December 11, 2019 Hi Rob. There are several westerners (english speaking) settled in Japan who can do it for you. On my side, I've always passed through Paul Martin, who lives in Tokyo. You can contact him from his website : http://www.thejapanesesword.com/ Or directly at thejapanesesword@gmail.com A lot of members of this board know him and I assume would recommand him. Best, 1 Quote
Sly Posted December 11, 2019 Report Posted December 11, 2019 I've forgotten to mention how it works : you have to send the blade to him. He will registered the blade to the customs, then will submit the blade for a shinsa to any organization of your choice (NBTHK, NTHK). He will charge you a (very fair) commission for this and then send you back the blade with the papers. In addition, if you want to have extra services (ie. having a new habaki or a shirasaya, or polishing, etc.), he could ask to some traditionnal craft workers he knows. 3 Quote
SAS Posted December 11, 2019 Report Posted December 11, 2019 http://www.bushidojapaneseswords.com/nbthk-shinsa-submission.html Bob Benson also provides services as noted in this link. Quote
b.hennick Posted December 11, 2019 Report Posted December 11, 2019 You could also go through Bob Benson. He lives in Hawaii but comes to all the major sword shows. On NMB check restoration tab for Bushido. Quote
Jean Posted December 11, 2019 Report Posted December 11, 2019 You can choose also Robert Hughes at Keichodo. All these people are very reliable/trustworthy 1 Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted December 11, 2019 Report Posted December 11, 2019 I bring all my blades to Bob Benson for shinsa. He's been registered as an agent for a very-long time, & can expedite the whole process (not that it's ever fast enough for me!). Quote
Jean Posted December 11, 2019 Report Posted December 11, 2019 I have used both Paul Martin and Bob Hughes, they are both fantastics. 1 Quote
md02geist Posted December 12, 2019 Author Report Posted December 12, 2019 Perfect, thank you all for the help. Now I have several sources. In case anyone is curious, this is the blade I am considering submitting:http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/27114-naginata-naoshi/ I believe it to be a reasonable candidate for shinsa. But I'm still quite new so don't mind my speculation Quote
SAS Posted December 12, 2019 Report Posted December 12, 2019 Should be a good candidate for shinsa indeed; there is plenty of activity to see, in a nice old sword. Quote
mywei Posted December 12, 2019 Report Posted December 12, 2019 Can recommend Paul Martin as both professional and very reliable! Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted December 12, 2019 Report Posted December 12, 2019 The only advantage of sending it to Bob Benson, is that he will give you an honest opinion on whether he thinks it will pass shinsa. He's been right every time I've heard of, & I no longer waste money sending a blade if he tells me it's not worth it. 3 Quote
Blazeaglory Posted December 19, 2019 Report Posted December 19, 2019 May I ask what the average total costs are for, say, 1 (one) blade? First time, no prior paper? Sent from USA via Benson? Quote
SAS Posted December 20, 2019 Report Posted December 20, 2019 http://www.bushidoja...submission.html 1 Quote
Blazeaglory Posted January 1, 2020 Report Posted January 1, 2020 http://www.bushidoja...submission.html Thanks! 1 Quote
Death-Ace Posted January 4, 2020 Report Posted January 4, 2020 It's always worth sending something to Shinsa if it has a chance! Even though the experts are most od the time right, we have instances of something being named as gimei, just to have it pass to that smith after the signature was removed. Benson is always a good choice, but sending it straight to the source is also great. Paul has my praise as well! Just ensure you use something other from tape to hold whatever the sword is wrapped in as he does have to present it to the registration board out of the box. But he can tell you more, definitely a great and humble man. Quote
Blazeaglory Posted January 4, 2020 Report Posted January 4, 2020 It's always worth sending something to Shinsa if it has a chance! Even though the experts are most od the time right, we have instances of something being named as gimei, just to have it pass to that smith after the signature was removed. Benson is always a good choice, but sending it straight to the source is also great. Paul has my praise as well! Just ensure you use something other from tape to hold whatever the sword is wrapped in as he does have to present it to the registration board out of the box. But he can tell you more, definitely a great and humble man. Reminds me of Kotetsu... Its my work but not my signature, haha 2 Quote
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