Noriyasu katana

[Tavroch]

Can anyone please comment on this Noriyasu Katana?

http://www.e-sword.jp/sale/0810_1116syousai.htm

I tried asking the seller about it, but all I get is: "I ask for an official order from here: http://www.e-sword.jp/orderform.htm"

Can anything phrased in this kind of messed-up English be of any legal value?

And then a line like this:

"(6)When the tip of delivering is the foreign country, the returns and repayment is not possible,Please approve it."

I asked him if this means you cannot return the blade when you're a foreign customer,

so this in fact nullifies point 1: "When the sword which is an imitation of an author or the copy, you receive with selling price."

No reaction.

I asked him for the original text in Japanese; to have something that's a bit more likely to be legally binding.

Again: no reaction.

 

I think it's a nice looking sword though; I noticed the shape: U no Kubi Zukuri if I'm correct?

You don't see that everyday.

 

Can anyone comment on the Koshirae and fittings?

Would they be a recent addition?

 

Furthermore: this smith Noriyasu: I can't seem to find a lot of info about him.

Can anyone here tell me anything about him?

I can't see if the Mei looks like 法安 or 則安.

Am I correct in assuming there's less chance that a Mei of a smith like this is a fake,

because there's only a few smiths that go by that name?

If you'd be faking a Mei, it would be safer to pick a name that is used by a lot of smiths, right?

[Guido]

I can't see if the Mei looks like 法安 or 則安.

Well, the Mei, the papers, and especially the headline says in huge letters 則安.

[Grey Doffin]

Rob,

The fact that the blade has a paper from the NBTHK means that the signature is good and that the sword is worthy of preservation (has artistic merit). The paper also shows which Kanji are signed on the nakago.

Looks very nice to me, and in excellent condition. I won't comment on the asking price; that's something you have to decide about.

I think the seller is telling you that he's not interested in accepting returns from outside Japan. If you have questions, before you buy is the time to get them settled.

Grey

[Tavroch]

@Guido Schiller:

 

Yes, of course, sorry; I was staring at the Mei on the Nakago trying to decipher the engravings.

 

 

@Grey Doffin:

 

If you have questions, before you buy is the time to get them settled.

I know, and that's just the problem: every question I ask is ignored.

Except when I ask if I can buy this katana, the answer is:"I ask for an official order from here: http://www.e-sword.jp/orderform.htm"

That's why I hoped the members of the NMB would be able to provide me with some more info on it.

But even then I wouldn't make another move before the seller answers my questions.

I hoped that maybe with some more info about it, I would be able to decide if it'd be worth it to insist.

 

By the way: I wouldn't mind you commenting on the asking price, except I beleive it is "not done".

I'm no expert and still very much trying to get a feel for relative values.

That's also why I asked for opinions on Noriyasu, the shape and the koshirae and fittings.

[Ted Tenold]

I think you've reached a bit of an impasse in your negotiations, and what I believe what they mean in their statement of;

 

"When the tip of delivering is the foreign country, the returns and repayment is not possible,Please approve it."

 

Really is; "When shipping outside Japan, it is not possible to return them for refund. Please understand that under these conditions, the sale is final."

 

The process of import and export of swords in Japan is quite involved and is not a system that lends itself to the kind of "inspection periods" that dealers and collectors outside Japan sometime offer. Given that, many prefer not to ship outside Japan at all. Obviously the best route is to have the blade in hand to make a final decision, but internet shopping doesn't promote that either. Getting an inspection period from someone "just to be sure" is a great thing and really helps solidify your decisions, so you are wise to want them. However, the restrictions and requirements in Japan on shipping simply don't make it easy. I know there are some that will, but the one you are corresponding with obviously has no desire to deal with it. Fair enough, it's a pain in the neck, so not really a bad reflection on the dealer either.

 

I'd agree that Grey is right that price is only something you can determine fair or not. If you've done your "due diligence" by reasearching, shopping around, comparing, studying up, etc., then you can make a better decision. Looking to anyone else to comment favorably on the price for you isn't the best way to qualify your acquisitions. Though you might get some kind of warm fuzzy feeling from a favorable comment, it's certainly not the best way to approach the subject of spending money. What I will say is that there are a lot of decent swords out in the world in this price range, so study, shop around, and buy wisely. If you can get an inspection period with your purchase then great. If you can't, and you're unsure, then move on to something else. There's *always* another sword in the future.

 

Good Luck and Good Hunting!