Toroku-sho? Naughty

[itsoverthere]

Hello all,

 

So I recently received a sword from Japan and - to my surprise - it arrived with this attached (see below). I know there have been a couple of similar-ish posts in the past but if anyone would be so kind as to indulge me I do have a few questions.

 

Most importantly:

1) Does this mean that the seller has been a very naughty boy?

And....

2) If so, in such a case, would there be potential problems should the blade ever return from whence it came?

 

But also....

3) Could anyone tell me the details of what it says? (my knowledge only covers a few characters so far I'm afraid).

 

Needless to say I would greatly appreciate any and all thoughts that anyone might be willing to put forward.

 

Regards,

 

Adam

 

- Oh, and I covered the signature to avoid starting any more mei-related discussions

[remzy]

Isnt this the usual police registration paper that every sword in Japan has to have at all time?

[John A Stuart]

I have received these with swords before. They are supposed to be turned in upon export, but, I think no big deal if not. When importing to Japan a new certificate is made and they haven't the time to check swords for previous certificates issued. I wouldn't worry at all. John

[Bugyotsuji]

(The police will have authorized the legal continued existence of the sword itself at an earlier stage.)

 

This registration certificate shown above is issued by the Education Authority, in this case for Fukuoka Prefecture. It notes the relevant sizes of the weapon, and the Mei or other inscription, and gives a date of registration which is not clear in your (Showa) photograph. Often people will make a copy, but yours looks like an original. It is a fairly old one of its type.

 

Printed on the back are the relative paragraphs stating what the law says in regard to swords and guns of historical/artistic merit.

 

By J law, all registered swords have to be deregistered before they leave the country. They would not probably know if you tried to send it back into Japan.

[Brian]

I don't think you have to worry at all, however just to point out that for the seller, it is highly illegal, and should be discouraged. A photocopy is fine, but the original has to stay in Japan. It is bad for the whole sword community in Japan if these laws are disregarded, as oneday there will be a huge fuss and maybe a change of laws to stricter ones. That's how these things go, no?

 

Brian

[Bugyotsuji]

PS What Brian said above. This area is potentially very tricky here in Japan. Once the police are alerted to any tiny irregularity you can be in serious sheet.

 

Also it should be pointed out that the registration number is visible in that photo, so anyone seeing this could cause trouble if they wanted...

[Brian]

Odd...one sec the pic was there, and then it disappeared.

Must be a server glitch.

 

Brian

[John A Stuart]

I just want to add, that, I agree the laws of export of Nihonto from Japan should be adhered to, in case my comments seemed otherwise. John

[Guido]

Odd...one sec the pic was there, and then it disappeared.

Chances that the Bunkachô is monitoring this website are remote, I don't think any harm would come of it.

 

Anyhow, I know a dealer (most of you do, too) who lost his sword dealer's license over this. He's now running his shop with the license his wife obtained, continuing the practice of shipping swords abroad without de-licensing them - but much more carefully ...

[itsoverthere]

Hi guys,

 

Thanks to those who have posted. How strange it just disappearing like that ( ), that was rather dumb of me

 

I was actually aware of what it is (and have read Guido's highly informative piece concerning the associated laws) but was more interested in what might happen were blades that had not been de-registered ever returned. It is clearly up to the sellers to take care of this but the buyer would surely suffer were it to ever come out at customs or such. Is it possible that such a situation could result in confiscation (or worse?).

[Guido]

As mentioned above, Japanese authorities simply don't have the manpower to cross-check every sword coming into Japan. I actually never heard about any case, and proving that it's the same sword (if it isn't published) should be very hard. I've attended licensing Shinsa, and they just issued licenses, no questions asked. However, if you're caught in the act of shipping a sword out of Japan with its license still attached (or the other way around), you're doomed.

[itsoverthere]

Also, the card here is clearly different to many of those I have seen (it lacks the nice clear borders etc). I assume this is simply an issue of the age of the card but is there anything else to be aware of?

 

+ can anyone read what this one actually says?

[itsoverthere]

Thanks Guido, that's good to know.

[Bugyotsuji]

Down the right it says, Type: Wakizashi Length: 35.8 cm

Second line from right says, Sori: 0.8 cm Mekugi-ana: 1

Third, at top, middle, Mei inscription: Obverse & Reverse: (Blacked out)

Left of that in large print: Fukuoka Prefecture Education Committee

Further Left: Showa... 30 something (?) then Fukuoka Prefecture again (?)

[remzy]

OOH i didnt knew you had to deregister these before exporting them outside of Japan.. i have seen alot of these papers sold along with the sword

[Ed]

I am sure Guido is much more in tune with the actual laws regarding import, export. However, it is my understanding, via several dealers in Japan, that the government was indeed very strict on "dealers" when it comes to abiding to the regulations regarding import, export. Yet, if you as a visitor purchase a sword or two and ship them home yourself, it was not necessary. For one thing it takes approximately two weeks for export processing, and most tourist do not have this time to wait.

 

There are dealers who do not adhere to the rules, but eventually it will catch up with them.

You as an individual who receives a sword with the registration has nothing to worry about.