Fujiwara Kunitomo

[Ichi]

I never seen Aoi desperately pushing for this blade. He recommended not only once, but twice. Kitae looks very elegant, but after all this smith is only a 15 pointer in Hawley's. Am I missing something?

 

http://aoi-art.com/sword/katana/06324.html

[John A Stuart]

Hi Ichi, They sure equate this sword with some important kaji, eh? Pics look nice, but, $9000 for this sword would require a hands on evaluation. I always wonder why dealers say that a sword will reach such and such a level but don't do it and price accordingly. After all the shinsa is just down the road. The pics do not show extaordinary details. John

[bdgrange]

Perhaps the fact that it has Hozon Tokubetsu origami would address the quality aspect of the piece. This is very hard to get.

Perhaps the question as to what year this was given would help.

I would think the price is in line given condition and papers.

They have a no question return policy and questions can be asked and answered before purchase as well.

Hawleys point system is not necessarily a good reference as to quality, in my humble opinion.

We all know that any one piece may reflect better workmanship than another by the same smith from time to time. Hence NBTHK hozon for a Sadakazu and tokubetsu hozon for another piece by the same smith.

Also sometimes the adjectives are not what we might use given our experience with English. But the pictures and origami speak for themselves, hopefully.

 

kind regards

Bdgrange

[John A Stuart]

Hi bd, The text says they have Tokubetsu Kichyu not Tokubetsu Hozon. Which really just assures one that it is a nihonto and a likely true mei. John

[David Flynn]

I had a shinshinto Fujiwara Kunitomo. It was suriage with suguha and a very straight kambun type sugata. However, the habuchi was definately one of the better ones I have seen. Also the hatarake, was fantastic, It had Sunagashi etc. and done in a extremely refined and eligant manner. I sold this sword several years ago, because I didn't like the sugata and have been regretful ever since.

I don't know if this is the same smith

[Ichi]

Thank you all for your advices. I will go down and take a look at it along with other juyo including Kuninaga this weekend.