Next Bonhams Art of the Samurai Auction is up

[Infinite_Wisdumb]

And at these valuations, my collection makes me rich!!!

 

https://www.bonhams.com/auction/27616/arts-of-the-samurai/

[ChrisW]

A fool and their money is soon parted.

They're living in a fantasy world but its Bonham's... so they'll probably get some of these values.

[Rivkin]

NTHK (non NPO) does paper unusual number of blades to Bungo Yukihiro specifically. We are seeing them more and more in auctions and such.

They also use ko Aoe and Echizen Seki attributions a bit generously.

But a fine auction with good selections.

[Jussi Ekholm]

I think I have voiced my unhappiness with these big auction houses several times in the past. Of course I am way below their customers with my wallet but I think they should include much more crucial information in their descriptions & pictures. Granted I think I will never deal with them personally.

 

Here are the zufu entries for 4 interesting items. By far the Masazane is way way above any other sword in this auction. I do not understand the evaluation of these 4 swords, as I only see the Masazane being so far above any others, I think the 3 others are decent swords but I wouldn't think them as too special items. I think the Masazane should be the one with highest valuation, and I would see Yukimitsu and Sanekage as very very optimistic, and Masazane way too low in the estimates.

 

Just to be noted, so far I have been able to uncover only 2 signed tachi by this Ko-Bizen Masazane smith (there is another one who used different kanji) upon all my years of researching old swords. For comparison in the same data there are 80+ katana with Yukimitsu attribution, 160+ katana with Taima attribution, 30+ katana with Sanekage attribution that I have found so far.

 

Masazane: https://www.bonhams.com/auction/27616/lot/132/bizen-masazane-circa-1017-1065-a-ko-bizen-tachiheian-period-794-1185/

 

Yukimitsu: https://www.bonhams.com/auction/27616/lot/143/tsabur-yukimitsu-active-circa-1303-an-important-jy-ranked-ssh-katana-kamakura-period-1185-1333-circa-1303/

 

Taima: https://www.bonhams.com/auction/27616/lot/150/a-jy-ranked-yamato-taima-katana-kamakura-period-1185-1333-13th14th-century/

 

Sanekage: https://www.bonhams.com/auction/27616/lot/158/kash-sanekage-active-circa-1340-1380-a-jy-ranked-katana-with-mounts-nanbokuch-era-1336-1392-mid-14th-century/

 

 

[Nihontocollector752]

I really don't get the valuation on the Masazane either, way low but if someone gets it at that range, well done. 

 

The Yukimitsu deserves the price range as his swords are extremely rare to find in good condition these days and this one is very archetypal. 

 

In general prices are going up and up as they should be.

[Jussi Ekholm]

I agree Jimmy, these high level attributions are bit special. I believe swords attributed towards Yukimitsu will always have prestige, and will/should be priced accordingly. I think my own personal view is bit biased, and I do not see high/top class mumei as high as they are in reality.

[ChrisW]

1 hour ago, Jussi Ekholm said:

I think I have voiced my unhappiness with these big auction houses several times in the past. Of course I am way below their customers with my wallet but I think they should include much more crucial information in their descriptions & pictures. Granted I think I will never deal with them personally.

 

Here are the zufu entries for 4 interesting items. By far the Masazane is way way above any other sword in this auction. I do not understand the evaluation of these 4 swords, as I only see the Masazane being so far above any others, I think the 3 others are decent swords but I wouldn't think them as too special items. I think the Masazane should be the one with highest valuation, and I would see Yukimitsu and Sanekage as very very optimistic, and Masazane way too low in the estimates.

 

Just to be noted, so far I have been able to uncover only 2 signed tachi by this Ko-Bizen Masazane smith (there is another one who used different kanji) upon all my years of researching old swords. For comparison in the same data there are 80+ katana with Yukimitsu attribution, 160+ katana with Taima attribution, 30+ katana with Sanekage attribution that I have found so far.

 

Masazane: https://www.bonhams.com/auction/27616/lot/132/bizen-masazane-circa-1017-1065-a-ko-bizen-tachiheian-period-794-1185/

 

Yukimitsu: https://www.bonhams.com/auction/27616/lot/143/tsabur-yukimitsu-active-circa-1303-an-important-jy-ranked-ssh-katana-kamakura-period-1185-1333-circa-1303/

 

Taima: https://www.bonhams.com/auction/27616/lot/150/a-jy-ranked-yamato-taima-katana-kamakura-period-1185-1333-13th14th-century/

 

Sanekage: https://www.bonhams.com/auction/27616/lot/158/kash-sanekage-active-circa-1340-1380-a-jy-ranked-katana-with-mounts-nanbokuch-era-1336-1392-mid-14th-century/

 

 

 

The Masazane caught my eye too! This one deserves more attention and will likely realize a higher price but the rest... well, we'll have to see.

[lonely panet]

2 hours ago, Jussi Ekholm said:

I think I have voiced my unhappiness with these big auction houses several times in the past. Of course I am way below their customers with my wallet but I think they should include much more crucial information in their descriptions & pictures. Granted I think I will never deal with them personally.

 

Here are the zufu entries for 4 interesting items. By far the Masazane is way way above any other sword in this auction. I do not understand the evaluation of these 4 swords, as I only see the Masazane being so far above any others, I think the 3 others are decent swords but I wouldn't think them as too special items. I think the Masazane should be the one with highest valuation, and I would see Yukimitsu and Sanekage as very very optimistic, and Masazane way too low in the estimates.

 

Just to be noted, so far I have been able to uncover only 2 signed tachi by this Ko-Bizen Masazane smith (there is another one who used different kanji) upon all my years of researching old swords. For comparison in the same data there are 80+ katana with Yukimitsu attribution, 160+ katana with Taima attribution, 30+ katana with Sanekage attribution that I have found so far.

 

Masazane: https://www.bonhams.com/auction/27616/lot/132/bizen-masazane-circa-1017-1065-a-ko-bizen-tachiheian-period-794-1185/

 

Yukimitsu: https://www.bonhams.com/auction/27616/lot/143/tsabur-yukimitsu-active-circa-1303-an-important-jy-ranked-ssh-katana-kamakura-period-1185-1333-circa-1303/

 

Taima: https://www.bonhams.com/auction/27616/lot/150/a-jy-ranked-yamato-taima-katana-kamakura-period-1185-1333-13th14th-century/

 

Sanekage: https://www.bonhams.com/auction/27616/lot/158/kash-sanekage-active-circa-1340-1380-a-jy-ranked-katana-with-mounts-nanbokuch-era-1336-1392-mid-14th-century/

 

 

i agree with jussi,  the last time a studied a ko bizen in hand was in Japan,  with in the company of Rob and Guido, and the kind owner was selling the sword for approx 150k usd give or take. and that was over 10 years ago

[Jussi Ekholm]

Just noticed the Fujishima Tomokiyo tachi is the one from Jūyō 26. So far the only tachi I have found by this smith. It would be an important reference item by this early Muromachi smith, even though it might not be as highly regarded as some of the other stuff.

 

Again it is unfortunate they dont show the sayagaki and Jūyō info about it in the pictures or text.

 

https://www.bonhams.com/auction/27616/lot/156/kaga-tomokiyo-active-circa-1400-a-kaga-fujishima-tachimuromachi-period-1333-1573-circa-1400-1420/

[Baba Yaga]

b

Bonhams is more of a retail + auction IMO, but like everything their can be exceptions. They're looking for a certain type of buyer. 

[Nihontocollector752]

There are exceptions. No they are not looking for a certain type of buyer. The sooner everyone realises that the collecting of Nihonto is becoming universal as oposed to garages, buyee and undercover sales the faster you'll all realise the true value of your collections (well for those that collect quality anyway)