LIVING WITH A KOKUHO

[Tom Darling]

Go live with a Kokuho for seven years, and if you come back sane, let me know?   A friend of mine, made me the same offer with his wife.  i told him if I had to make a choice, I'd shoot myself! 

 

Tom D.

Edited August 30, 2020 by Tom Darling
correction

[Gakusee]

Tom

Was this just hypothetical ;)? If not, you move in some exceptional circles. 

 

in Japan, there are strict conditions as to where and how a Kokuho or JuBun are kept. Not only does the place need to be safeguarded against risks (flood, earthquake, etc) but also there are special permits needed for their risk-free transportation or exhibition. That is why one does not see them frequently moved about or exhibited. 
 

Now, JuBi is different - you can move them around and hence you see some of those at the DTI. 
 

So, for a mere mortal like us, it will be impossible unless insanely rich and the blade is kept in Japan. I am not sure whether an overseas owner can even possess a Kokuho, even if that was kept in Japan as per the law. 
 

 

[DoTanuki yokai]

It could be ww2 souvenir.

Just sell it. 

The things you own end up owning you.

[Gakusee]

If it were WW2 souvenir outside of Japan, it would not have any status now. Those were abolished and some of those Kokuho err converted into current Kokuho and some into JuBu 

Some of the missing ones do not have any current status. Of course if they were Kokuho previously, then chances are they stand a very good chance of at least being a JuBu. 

[waljamada]

So when I googled Kukoho it came up with a few things.  Most notable was a nine sided mirror meant for contemptations on self reflection and something to do with a divine sword.  Also a national living treasure.  

 

So with the mirror on self reflection the topic makes sense as you'd constantly have to be looking at and into yourself....perhaps could drive one mad as you must also look externally to balance the internal.   

 

The next I pictured living with a living national treasure (human not item) and could also make sense to the topic.  The spouse would always hear something like...."but I'm a national living treasure....you do it."  Or to end any argument they just say as they point to their smug looking facial expression and say "national living treasure".  Could also drive one insane.

[saipan59]

I would infer that the OP was talking about a "Ningen Kokuho" (Living National Treasure).

 

Pete

 

[PNSSHOGUN]

As usual I haven't a clue as to what Tom is trying to convey.

[ROKUJURO]

4 hours ago, waljamada said:

So when I googled Kukoho it came up with a few things.....

Adam,

try KOKUHO.

[Gakusee]

8 hours ago, PNSSHOGUN said:

As usual I haven't a clue as to what Tom is trying to convey.

John, what can we say?! Peace

[tbonesullivan]

Yeah, I would NOT want to live with something like that, or anything of exceeding value, uniqueness etc. As Indiana Jones would say "That belongs in a museum!".  The proper care, treatment, respect, etc would drive me insane.

 

This also reminds me of a company that bought what was, at the time, the most expensive bottle of wine EVER sold at auction.

 

They displayed it. Under hot lights. It became then the most expensive bottle of vinegar in the world.

[Curran]

Personal favorite:   http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1956922_1956921_1956924,00.html

Elbow worth $50M

[ROKUJURO]

Oups! Elbows happen!

[mywei]

Sorry for being dense but what's the question being asked here?

Do you own a kokuho Tom?

[saipan59]

1 hour ago, mywei said:

Sorry for being dense but what's the question being asked here?

Do you own a kokuho Tom?

 

You're not dense. Nobody knows what the question is, until Tom explains it...

 

[Tom Darling]

Hi all, it was simply a rhetorical question.  To infer reason by deduction. I would imagine it being the case, or true or probable. Let me know after sever years. Just image if you had two of them. A Masamune and Mitsutada,  let me know in three and half years. As described in the August 1966 issue of Saga.  Remember, every time you  take it out and put it (saya?) in,  it becomes a serious problem,  that you'll never get over, should something go awry.  Does anybody really want to own one?  Peace.

 

Tom D.

[Brian]

I kinda sorta get it. You are saying would someone owning the very top of the top really be able to enjoy it?
I suspect in my case, probably not. It would likely be locked away most of the time, and just be a "I own one of those" thing. I wouldn't be able to take it out and really handle it much. Too much at stake.
I would easily own a Juyo or higher. But something at that level...I guess would need to come with a mansion and armored glass display cases where I can view it in.
 

[Ian B3HR2UH]

Perhaps you should cut down on your consumption Tom

Ian Brooks

[Gakusee]

Well, a kokuho sword is much sturdier than a Picasso painting :)) and a minor scratch can easily be addressed. If you elbow it, I suspect your elbow will suffer. 

[paulb]

I have never had the opportunity to handle blades of this level of attribution. However I do remember the absolute terror I felt when handed the first juyo papered blade I had ever seen and even greater fear when  the owner handed it to my then 14 year old son to look at. I am glad to say neither of us caused it harm but I think I lost one or two years of life expectancy.

However if I am honest I think I would be happy to have a high level sword (i.e. T.J).

The reality is the way one would care for it would require the same regime as another sword. Also if brutally honest I think an experienced collector would be more likely to care for it properly than many museums who may not specialise in the subject and lack the resources to do it properly.

 

 

[Alex A]

I would not like so much money invested in a sword.

 

Contrary to what some folk may think, they actually do mark quite easily, warped saya just one example.

 

Imagine having an expensive katana and seeing such a mark one day ?. If you live next door to a top polisher in Japan and your best buddies then thats ok, but if you live in the UK then the only option is to send it abroad whilst it sits in a queue for god knows how long and is to be honest risky as most know for one reason or another.

 

Leave it alone, de-valued. Some folk want perfection when it comes to purchases and wont accept any blemish.

 

Thats swords. 

 

 

 

 

[mywei]

Owning something so precious would probably cause me more stress than joy to be honest

[Gakusee]

Alex

Exactly because of what you mention, Kokuho and JuBu have a prescribed manner of safekeeping. Temperature and humidity controlled environment protected from fire, earthquakes etc. So, believe me, no warped saya case there. 

 

People who have the money to own them have established the requisite bunkers to keep them appropriately. 
 

Finally, some of the Kokuho etc are probably in a  worse state than you imagine them. I have seen probably 15 Kokuho in the National museum over the years and numerous JuBu. Have had the privilege to handle a few JuBu. Those, in private hands have always been in exceptional health. 

[Alex A]

Hi Michael, 

 

I was referring to any expensive sword, i find them too much of a concern, from handling to shipping.

 

If i win lottery, sure that will change though, just too much responsibility at present.

 

Cheers

 

 

[Gakusee]

Alex

indeed it is a responsibility. But, no pain, no gain

[BIG]

I would bear the great burden...

 

Best