Introduction (Ray Singer & Swords of Japan)

[Ray Singer]

Hi everyone,

 

    I wanted to give a quick introduction as this new dealer page is set up (and appreciation to Brian for creating this new area and all he does to manage this board). Some of you know me from discussions here on the NMB, as well as Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. I have been collecting and studying Japanese swords now for 32 years. As a collector, I primarily focus on koto blades (with a preference for Soshu and Yamashiro) but all time periods are interesting to me and one of the reasons that I branched out into sales is that I enjoy handling a large number of swords to research, study and learn from. My swords sales are almost exclusively consigned from other collectors (most from our community here), and I am happy to consider new pieces to receive for consignment. I also enjoy assisting with research & translation requests. I am no Markus Sesko, but I do my best. Here are a few links to my pages online. 

 

• Website: http://www.swordsofjapan.com
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@swordsofjapan
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swordsofjapan

 

Please feel free to reach out any time there is something I can help with, either through NMB messenger or (preferred) by email at raymondsinger@gmail.com.

 

Best regards,

Ray

 

 

 

 

[b.hennick]

Ray always steps forward with a helping hand. His descriptions are great and his buyers are happy with their purchases. I have known Ray for years and respect him and his approach to swords and life - a fine gentleman indeed.

[paulb]

I have had the pleasure of working with Ray on a number of projects and can safely recommend him as a very safe pair of hands, a gentleman and someone very easy to work with.

Good luck and I wish you success here

[NathanLM]

I really enjoy your YouTube videos. I hope you can create some more in 2021. 

[Ray Singer]

Humbled by the kind words, thank you. For YouTube, I am hoping to get back to those sometime mid-year. I've taken on a few large projects, not nihonto-related, but hope to have more time to develop video content in a few months.

 

Best regards,

Ray

 

[Jean]

Ray is one of NMB pillar, very easy to work with and with a vast knowledge.

[Brian]

One of the most often recommended NMB sellers anytime someone asks for a place to buy swords.

[ChuckJ]

If you deal with Ray you won't be disappointed!  Ray, I am so in love with the Owari flying geese tsuba I bought from you! 

 

All the best,

 

Chuck

[Ray Singer]

Glad to hear, thanks Chuck and stay well!

 

Best regards, 

Ray 

[vajo]

I realised even right now from the post of Barry that we have a Dealer Showcase here in NMB - shame about me 

 

Ray, I'm very happy to find you and your stuff here in a own section. Many swords in my collection are owned from you and i was never disappointed.

I can fully recommend the service, knowledge and stuff of Ray.

Good luck Ray.

[Stephen]

Rayray is NMB top go to seller.

You need a nihonto fix go see Ray if he dont have what your looking im sure he will still help.

[Ray Singer]

A quick update on items that I now have for sale. If there is anything that you would like more information on, please reach out to me at raymondsinger@gmail.com.

• Eikyo Bizen Yukikage katana with flamboyant choji-midare hamon and utsuri - $6,250 (plus shipping & PayPal)
• Massive katana by Kozuke no Suke Minamoto Yoshimasa - $8,750 (plus shipping & PayPal)
• Omi Daijo Tadahiro wakizashi, Tokubetsu Hozon with an abunome-gonome hamon in the style of shodai Masahiro - $6,750 (plus shipping & PayPal)
• Shodai Hizen Tadakuni wakizashi, Tokubetsu Hozon - $5,950 (plus shipping & PayPal)
• Hokuso Harukuni wakizashi with kinpunmei - $4,750 (plus shipping & PayPal)
• Yokoyama Bizen Nagahiro katana, an elegant sword in suguha with ko-itame hada - $4,950 (plus shipping & PayPal)
• Zaimei Shimosaka sasaho-yari which appears to be an utushimono of Tonbogiri - $4,950 (plus shipping & PayPal)
• Several excellent wakizashi by the Shitahara smith Hiroshige, Shigenobu and Yasushige - from $3,500 (plus shipping & PayPal)
• Monju wakizashi - from $2,500 (plus shipping & PayPal)
• Ubu signed and dated wakizashi by Tsuguhide - $2,500 (plus shipping & PayPal)
• Muromachi period Sue-Bizen Norimitsu yoroidoshi in hamidashi koshirae - $4,250 (plus shipping & PayPal)
• Top-quality gendaito by Tamura Tomeji Akitaka, Ueno Kanemitsu, Ogawa Kanekuni, Hizen Yoshitada, Matsubara Hidemune, Ugo Kuniyoshi, Okimitsu, Kanetoshi, Mikawa Takenori, Baba Tsugukiyo, Miura Kunimitsu and others - from $3,950 (plus shipping & PayPal)
• Henmi Yoshitaka katana in shirasaya - $9,250 (plus shipping & PayPal)
• Ubu zaimei signed Mino Kaneuji (Muromachi) hirazukuri wakizashi - $7,500 (plus shipping & PayPal)
   

[reeder]

I recently consigned a sword with Ray and it was a very easy, pleasant transaction. Ray communicated everything, and set the price commensurate to the sword, condition, etc. with the intent of selling it for market. I highly recommend Ray for any swords you may want to sell or buy. Everything was honest and straight forward, no surprises. Thanks Ray!

[Ray Singer]

My pleasure, and thanks for the kind words Brandon. 

 

Take care, 

Ray 

[WilliamCardin]

I have bought a few Nihonto blades through Ray and speak to him weekly with questions and novice inquiries… and he’s always there for me. He is the most knowledgeable source I know and always a pleasure to talk to. He’s honest, prompt and does what he says he will do. No excuses. He always follows through and when you are spending multiple thousands of dollars…. It really counts. I tell anyone who is looking to buy a piece of historical Nihonto artwork to contact Ray first before anyone else. I have been burned on eBay so many times on fraudulent Gimei or Mumei… with Ray, I know for a FACT he wouldn’t sell you anything that wouldn’t be in his own personal collection. If he hasn’t put his hands on it and evaluated it, he won’t sell it or blow smoke up your ass. Ray and one other person are the only people I will do business with and put my trust in when it comes to Nihonto. If you want genuine, collectible Nihonto… Call Ray Singer. He is “the man” when it comes to Nihonto. 

[Gakusee]

Yes, Ray does not need any introduction. A great member of this community, who also generously shares his knowledge and help. 

[Bjj]

Ray has always responded and given me excellent advice . Thanks for everything. 

[Ray Singer]

My pleasure Christian. 

 

Best regards, 

Ray

 

[cju777]

Just adding some additional kudos to Ray from a recent purchase— always the best packaged nihonto I receive and a pleasure to buy from. Thanks!
 

[Ray Singer]

I recently received a number of very interesting swords. If anyone would like details, please reach out me directly to discuss further.

• Ko-Yoshii ken (Fukuoka Ichimonji lineage, Kamakura period, nidai Kagenori)
• Juyo Kyo Nobukuni tanto (zaimei) in kirimon koshirae
• Yasuyoshi naginatanaoshi katana
• Omi Daijo Tadahiro katana (very healthy, and quality nidai example)
• Satsuma Motohira katana (34mm mihaba)
• There is also a zaimei Jitsua tanto with old Koshu Tokubetsu Kicho papers I am researching further and may be available in the future

Best regards,

Ray

 

 

[Ray Singer]

I added a newsletter sign-up to my website homepage. If you would like to receive updates by email for new pieces as they are arriving, please go to the form and I will add you to email list.

 

http://www.swordsofjapan.com