Question about Aoi-art

[Gunman]

Hi all guys i am new to Nihonto world and want to buy my 1st blade at the upcoming months(2-3?).. already ordered 2-3 books to read some info.

I wanna ask something important for me cause without it i cant order katana.(was thinking to buy from aoi-art as it seems to be very nice site)

After going around with the law(i am from Greece) i see that i need to take a license for owning the specific katana i will choose to buy together with some other papers.

The thing is when i finally choose which katana i want(with your help maybe? ) i will need a signed paper(from a local authority police or something? in english if possible) from Aoi-art(or other site) with all characteristics of the katana (name of blade,smith,age/or period i guess,dimensions,if the edge is sharp or no(sharp ofc) and that this blade is an antique) and posted to Greece seperately before katana (with my own costs ofc) so i can take the license to import the blade cause they need the characteristics for the license. anyone heard something similar? (ofc i will pay them the sword while they keep it, i just need them to send it some days after the paper i need)

 

i already emailed aoi-art but no answer yet, would be appreciated if someone from Japan could find out something? or even better if there is a member from Aoi-art reading this.

 

thank you for reading

George S.

[SwordGuyJoe]

I would read up on this post in the "For Sale" area. It has some very useful information on importing/exporting. As far as helping you with your purchase, I am sure some of the other guys/gals will help.

[Gunman]

I would read up on this post in the "For Sale" area. It has some very useful information on importing/exporting. As far as helping you with your purchase, I am sure some of the other guys/gals will help.

ye had bookmarked the import/export tips, ty tho, but importing from a site with many exports as it seems no need to give them tips i guess. i just need to know if they can provide me with this paper

waiting for some help guys

[Brian]

George,

So if I get this right, you need to obtain an import permit in Greece before you can purchase one, and have a licence for it there before it arrives?

If so..I don't think that would be too much of a problem.

 

What I would do, is present your police with an extract from the Japanese sword laws article in the articles section showing that only antiques and traditionally made blades may be registered in Japan. (see the articles section and look for Guido Schiller's article)

Then get your seller to send you a scan of the Japanese torokusho registration document. Although in Japanese, all you want to show them is that it was legally registered in Japan. The document is not all the proof you need, but it helps. Always givd them more documentation than they require.

Then you need to scan or print the whole page from the seller in Japan. This will allow for dating, identification and specifications. Especially if you use Aoi's page, as they have all the details and pics of the sword.

So this page, together with the description from the sales page should satisfy your police on what you are importing. You may want to explain to them that the torokusho is the official Japanese authority's permit, and that it has to stay in Japan, however you may be able to request a copy.

 

Perhaps they would accept a translation of it from a member here, or you could ask the Japanese embassy there? All it does is verify it is a genuine Japanese sword, and also has the dimensions.

 

To prevent confusion with Aoi (if you choose to purchase from them) all I would ask of them is a copy of the torokusho, and ask them if you can pay and leave the sword with them until you get your import permit.

 

Not sure if any of this will work for you, but a step closer i guess.

 

Brian

[Hermes]

Hold on to your horse George, someone will help you asap and Aoi will get back to you soon i'm sure, check Japan's Time Zone, it is 3:35 AM right now. hehe

[Gunman]

Hold on to your horse George, someone will help you asap and Aoi will get back to you soon i'm sure, check Japan's Time Zone, it is 3:35 AM right now. hehe

thing is i emailed them yesterday also not sure if they gona answer... well i got around 7-8k euro total and i think i gona spend near 6-7 for the sword with import costs also so around 4.5-5.5keuro for katana maybe.

Nice thinking Brian u got a point here. gona ask them if this paper works or a copy of it. but in case they need original i may need to have aoi or someone else to send me something signed and posted before katana... if any of u talk with someone from the site would be appreciated if u could ask them if they are willing to do this paperwork thing and send it. i am bit disappointed (btw import gona cost me +22% or 25%, 2 questions i made i got 2 answers from customs lol)

 

PS:If u order a papered katana u also get NBTHK papers or they keep them?(in NBTHK papers there are things like period made,smith,name of sword etc right? also dimensions. this would help. also will ask them if a copy can do the job till i receive original NBTHK with katana if i dont ship NBTHK papers seperately.

[Weidas]

Earlier i had the same problems in Lithuania, however had no problems with them as soon as i understood that they need official documents as officials not experts:) Police was not so exact as you write, but in general they needed proof that it is edged weapon and that it was obtained legally. So i just provided them with description, pictures, invoice and payment confirmation and, of course, fee for license. And got license in on-two days. Age was needed for customs purpose - there are different taxes for antique items(over 50 years old). Police didn't care about it. But its already close to a year than license is not necessary then importing one edged weapon at once

[Mark Green]

Wow, Gunman, reading your post made me ill. I guess that my friends that own dozens of swords, and 100's of guns better forget about moving to Greece.

I am so sorry you have to go through that. When it comes time to vote, if you get to vote for people that make fool laws like your dealing with, pick the right people!!

Good luck Brother.

Mark G

[Mantis dude]

The Guys at Aoi speak English and I have always had good interactions with them. I am sure they will get back to you. If the sword has NBTHK papers then that is great, adds credibility to the sword. Aoi used to give their own kanteisho which usually just gave basic item information but they would laminate it. Not sure if they still do that, but that sounds like it would help you. Certainly sounds like you have to go through a few hoops to get a sword though. A shame, but I know Greece has restrictive antiquity laws given the age of the country and the artifacts in the country. I can understand neediing to control the flow of these precious items although I am sure they are intended more to protect Greece antiques as opposed to Japanese. I remember visiting Greece, there was a fort in Crete from around the 1500's- that was considered fairly new. lol. Anything A.D. is new, so many places/things are B.C. Everything is relative, I guess. Good luck.

[Gunman]

Wow, Gunman, reading your post made me ill. I guess that my friends that own dozens of swords, and 100's of guns better forget about moving to Greece.

I am so sorry you have to go through that. When it comes time to vote, if you get to vote for people that make fool laws like your dealing with, pick the right people!!

Good luck Brother.

Mark G

thanks m8..

 

ur link tab changed my mind i guess.. i am thinking of buying from esho pin EU what about this site? http://www.tokensugita.com/ is it secure to buy from there?? (also inderested in aoi-art)

[Kevin]

After going around with the law(i am from Greece) i see that i need to take a license for owning the specific katana i will choose to buy together with some other papers.

The thing is when i finally choose which katana i want(with your help maybe? ) i will need a signed paper(from a local authority police or something? in english if possible) from Aoi-art(or other site) with all characteristics of the katana (name of blade,smith,age/or period i guess,dimensions,if the edge is sharp or no(sharp ofc) and that this blade is an antique) and posted to Greece seperately before katana (with my own costs ofc) so i can take the license to import the blade cause they need the characteristics for the license. anyone heard something similar? (ofc i will pay them the sword while they keep it, i just need them to send it some days after the paper i need).

 

Sounds a bit like the Italian system; you have to get a licence to import the sword from the police ahead of it being despatched to you. That generally takes a couple of weeks. The seller can only ship the sword after the buyer has a licence. Well, they can ship it before, but Italian officialdom may go into meltdown, the sword may get seized and it may be generally bad news all round.

 

I can't see any halfway decent seller objecting to being asked to retain a sword whilst the customer organises the necessary licences or permissions. I've done it myself.

 

I would have thought any NBTHK or NTHK papers (plus translation, plus contact info for the organisation concerned) would suffice, since those papers provide the information required. They certainly suffice for more restrictive regimes such as Singapore. Failing that, most jurisdictions would accept the details from the sale page - Singapore doesn't, but that's another matter altogether. A copy of the Japanese police registration may work with some jurisdictions - after all, it is generated by another police force.

 

I'd suggest that after you've got the licence you get the seller to ship the sword with three copies of the commercial invoice, uses the relevant harmonised tariff, and includes a copy of any NBTHK or NTHK papers (including translation) - or whatever else you use to demonstrate that it's an authentic antique - with the papers for Customs.

 

Strictly speaking the seller should be observing the above formalities anyway, but not everyone does. OTOH, if you observe all the formalities, things are very unlikely to go wrong.

 

Kevin

[Kevin]

PS:If u order a papered katana u also get NBTHK papers or they keep them.

 

You get them. I can't think of any reason why a seller would keep them.

 

regards

 

Kevin

[Amon]

Wow, Gunman, reading your post made me ill. I guess that my friends that own dozens of swords, and 100's of guns better forget about moving to Greece.

I am so sorry you have to go through that. When it comes time to vote, if you get to vote for people that make fool laws like your dealing with, pick the right people!!

Good luck Brother.

Mark G

thanks m8..

 

ur link tab changed my mind i guess.. i am thinking of buying from esho pin EU what about this site? http://www.tokensugita.com/ is it secure to buy from there?? (also inderested in aoi-art)

 

 

Hi George!

 

I haven't bought anything from there myself but a friend of mine has and he was pleased with

them.

 

Regards, John

[SwordGuyJoe]

I too have been referred to the site and heard good things.

[Gunman]

PS:If u order a papered katana u also get NBTHK papers or they keep them.

 

You get them. I can't think of any reason why a seller would keep them.

 

regards

 

Kevin

nice to hear that.

in here http://www.tokensugita.com/ there is a katana code KA057 give me opinions plz.(if its mei,about smith if its worth buying i would say.)

 

or get something with 4.5-5000 euro from aoi-art (6xxx euro with customs etc)(they got in touch with me and prolly i can trade with them too if police goes my way lol)

like these:

http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/katana/08262.html

http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/katana/08383.html

http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/katana/08033.html

also about the kanteisho from aoi its something like "papers for the sword's history" from aoi, and they still give them or no?

 

p.s:now plz dont go and buy all the swords i want lol :D

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

Sounds a bit like the Italian system; you have to get a licence to import the sword from the police ahead of it being despatched to you. That generally takes a couple of weeks. The seller can only ship the sword after the buyer has a licence. Well, they can ship it before, but Italian officialdom may go into meltdown, the sword may get seized and it may be generally bad news all round.

 

Indeed, it looks very close. Maybe I'm late in this topic, but I wonder if I can halp anyway.

 

George, in Italy it works this way, try to find if there is any similarity :

 

1) Customer have to get the Licence of Antique Weapons Collector (may include firearms or not accordingly to request).

This has to be achieved only once and will last forever (first trip to Authorities)

 

2) Customer have to get permission from police authorities to import *that* specific sword giving all the details and pictures needed to identify it (even if police can't discern a Naotane from a Paul Chen). No Torokusho translation required (in Italy...). Just pictures and measurements to check the blade on due time (Japanese terms have to be avoided for obvious reasons). This permission is specific to the sword (second trip to authorities).

 

3) Customer can ask the sword to be shipped

 

4) Sword arrives at customs and they advise the customer.

 

5) Customer send permission of import via registered mail (always scan it).

 

6) Sword sent from customs to customer

 

7) Customer have to have his Licence updated with the addition of the imported sword.

This must be performed each and every time you aquire (or sell) a sword. So customer have to go again to the police station when sword is received (third and final trip to authorities). Sword not required to be fisically present.

 

After some imports they get accustomed to you and permissions are given in a quicker way.

So far I've never had a sword damaged for Customs inspection. I suspect they just check the mounting and what is inside

unsheating only a small portion of the blade. Guess they're more interested in the fact there is nothing else then a steel bar inside and not C4 or cocaine :lol: .

 

No shortcuts allowed and strongly discouraged.

As stupid as it can be, due to lack of legislation here a sword is still considered a war weapon.

 

"Italians and greeks, one face one race" (even if you might be not a native greek) :D

[Mantis dude]

Kevin,

 

Just a few comments, I haven't looked at any of the swords. First, if the sword has NBTHK papers etc they will be given to you. Dealers get papers since it helps add legitimacy to the sword and makes it more commercial. There is an expense to getting papers but the risk is taken out with having them so 2 swords which are comparable but one has papers means it will likely sell for a small premium. The levels of papers will also effect value if they are higher levels. Anything Aoi gives you, would be more their opinion, might help with your records or research but may not hold a lot of value for reselling- the shop is basically claiming what they are selling you.

 

Onto buying a sword- Take a step back- you should make some decisions or spell them out and then look for a sword. First off, you have identified a price range you wish to spend so that will help narrow it down. 2nd and a hard but important one is what type of sword do you want? what kind of characteristics? Do you care about size? a wakisashi can be a 1/3 the price of a katana, so you might be able to afford a better wakisashi. What type of hada do you want? What kind of hamon (nie or nioi)? Do you have a particular school in mind (some of the hada and hamon styles will point to particular schools). Do you care about having a signature (mei)? There is a small premium for a signed piece and while lots of people like to have one, I actually don't care or prefer to get more sword for the money, ie mumei in general are cheaper. Are there any other characteristics you like? ie types of activities. Age of blade, koto or shinto/shinshinto. I think if you answer these - go to the characteristics of a sword and make a list. Then you have an idea of the sword you want to own. With that characteristic list you can then see what is out there and perhaps shorten the list for you. All the things you want may not be in that price range, etc but knowing what sword you want I think will help you choose a sword that will meet your needs better. We all have personal tastes. Sorry if you have done this, but I think if you haven't you will be better served doing that first then just choosing a sword at random. Take the necessary steps to help you decide what you want since you are spending a decent some of money.

 

While not the answer you were looking for I hope it helps. It is exciting to get your first sword but let your head drive the decision. You may have this sword for a long time and/or the first sword always has a special place in those of us that are sentimental. As time goes on and you can add to the funds or want more quality or your tastes change you can exchange/trade for another one.

 

Let us know how it goes or even spell out what you want and then I think you will get better help.

[Gunman]

2) Customer have to get permission from police authorities to import *that* specific sword giving all the details and pictures needed to identify it (even if police can't discern a Naotane from a Paul Chen). No Torokusho translation required (in Italy...). Just pictures and measurements to check the blade on due time (Japanese terms have to be avoided for obvious reasons). This permission is specific to the sword (second trip to authorities).

 

lets hope this part is as easy as Italy m8... and they dont need a more "serious"paper for dimensions etc etc... will print many things from pc when i decide heh...

 

Kevin,

 

Just a few comments, I haven't looked at any of the swords. First, if the sword has NBTHK papers etc they will be given to you. Dealers get papers since it helps add legitimacy to the sword and makes it more commercial. There is an expense to getting papers but the risk is taken out with having them so 2 swords which are comparable but one has papers means it will likely sell for a small premium. The levels of papers will also effect value if they are higher levels. Anything Aoi gives you, would be more their opinion, might help with your records or research but may not hold a lot of value for reselling- the shop is basically claiming what they are selling you.

 

Onto buying a sword- Take a step back- you should make some decisions or spell them out and then look for a sword. First off, you have identified a price range you wish to spend so that will help narrow it down. 2nd and a hard but important one is what type of sword do you want? what kind of characteristics? Do you care about size? a wakisashi can be a 1/3 the price of a katana, so you might be able to afford a better wakisashi. What type of hada do you want? What kind of hamon (nie or nioi)? Do you have a particular school in mind (some of the hada and hamon styles will point to particular schools). Do you care about having a signature (mei)? There is a small premium for a signed piece and while lots of people like to have one, I actually don't care or prefer to get more sword for the money, ie mumei in general are cheaper. Are there any other characteristics you like? ie types of activities. Age of blade, koto or shinto/shinshinto. I think if you answer these - go to the characteristics of a sword and make a list. Then you have an idea of the sword you want to own. With that characteristic list you can then see what is out there and perhaps shorten the list for you. All the things you want may not be in that price range, etc but knowing what sword you want I think will help you choose a sword that will meet your needs better. We all have personal tastes. Sorry if you have done this, but I think if you haven't you will be better served doing that first then just choosing a sword at random. Take the necessary steps to help you decide what you want since you are spending a decent some of money.

 

While not the answer you were looking for I hope it helps. It is exciting to get your first sword but let your head drive the decision. You may have this sword for a long time and/or the first sword always has a special place in those of us that are sentimental. As time goes on and you can add to the funds or want more quality or your tastes change you can exchange/trade for another one.

 

Let us know how it goes or even spell out what you want and then I think you will get better help.

 

just before 1-2 days i started reading a book and has info about types of hamon,activities etc.. but i think my priority are those things.

going for katana

having NBTHK paper (hozon for my money)

having original mei (forgot how its called and read it today heh)

no rust in nakago etc

the one from tokensugita had koshirae also(no idea if its decent but its a good thing) i focus on the blade tho

and as far as this budget allows having a history or a smith with history

ofc traditionaly made from tamahagane (=nihonto? )

[Mantis dude]

just before 1-2 days i started reading a book and has info about types of hamon,activities etc.. but i think my priority are those things.

going for katana

having NBTHK paper (hozon for my money)

having original mei (forgot how its called and read it today heh)

no rust in nakago etc

the one from tokensugita had koshirae also(no idea if its decent but its a good thing) i focus on the blade tho

and as far as this budget allows having a history or a smith with history

ofc traditionaly made from tamahagane (=nihonto?

 

Kevin,

You have a start but spend some more time with the book..... of course you want a blade with with hamon and activities, but which ones? which type of hada do you like? Do you like a fancy hamon or a more subtle one? Go online to Rich Stein's site or depending on the book you have, pick out the characteristics you like most. What shape of the blade do you like, there are changes over the years. Spend more time picking out those things that you like, you will end up getting a sword you like more than rushing to just get one. There are several sites to help see those activities you want, try http://www.nihontoantiques.com/sword%20details.htm click on jigane and jihada and hataraki. Even on Rich Stein's site he has characteristics of blades. try to find examples, even on Aoi's site. Look at those characteristics and see what appeals to you! Keep making that list, of course swords that have it all will be more expensive. While koshirae are important and add to the cost, would you prefer a sword in shirasaya or one that is mounted already? my opinion is I want to concentrate on the blade, I can always try and find koshorie for a quality sword. But that is my opinion. You may have a different opinion. All swords have a history and if they are papered it will give you a starting point to research. I still make the recommendation to look more and get more specific, you made some decisions, keep at it. Think of it just like you would when buying a car, style- interior , color, type of radio, etc etc are all things you would consider into the decision. Do the same thing with the sword. I know you want to own a sword, trust me, I understand but spend some more time understanding what you want. Maybe you may want to buy another book or 2 to help in that decision. I just think you will be better served going slower and making the most informed decision. For example, When I was last looking for a sword, I like a nice mokume hada with nioi hamon. I like a more subtle ko gunome hada but eventhough subtle, there can still be lots of hataraki like ashi, inazumi (sp?). Certain schools have these characteristics namely Bizen as one. So that helped me narrow where to look. I like the shape of an older blade, a blade with fumbari (narrows down from the habaki to the kissaki). I like a bit of sori curvature. If you aren't sure what the book is saying find examples on the internet and see if one thing appeals to you more than others. This is just my suggestion but I think the more advanced collectors would agree, take your time and figure out what you want, just like you would when buying a car. You may not be able to buy a Ferrari but there are aspects of that car that you do like that are in cheaper models. Same idea in choosing a blade. Funny thing is that when I have bought a sword, it spoke to me, some I didn't care for and others just appealed to me. I got a sword or 2 to begin with (spent very little money) but then took more of my time to understand what I like and as I said before, everyone likes different things. There are plenty of blades out there, so don't worry that one won't be around. Get those basics down, you won't regret it. Best of luck.

[Brian]

George...

Please don't forget to sign ALL posts with a name. (easier to just add it in your signature, in your profile)

 

Otherwise you will get called Kevin

 

Brian

[b.hennick]

"no rust in nakago etc "

I hope that you do not mean this. If a nakago has its rust removed the value of the sword to a collector is reduced by about 50%. The patina - rust on the tang tell us about the swords age. People avoid artificially aged tangs and cleaned tangs. Sooo be careful and look for the rust or patina in the tang. You want dark rust not red rust. Red rust is active and not wanted - dark patina is wanted.

[Kevin]

No shortcuts allowed and strongly discouraged.

 

That's true of Customs the world over. I've just turned someone down cos they wanted me to take massive shortcuts in getting a sword into Israel - and giving Customs misleading statements about the value at the same time - and didn't want to wait for me to find out the *legitimate* way to get swords into the country, even though their relevant Ministry has swords as prohibited items. Doing it his way is asking for serious trouble. As it happens, I've since found out how to get antique swords into Israel. :-)

 

It's always worth spending time doing your homework and, if need be, writing to the authorities in the country concerned. It may take time - I spent over a month exchanging countless emails with the head of the Arms and Explosives branch of the Singapore Police Force so that we were mutually agreed, in writing, as what constituted the correct documentation for importing nihonto.

 

In my view, any halfway competent seller should make the effort, rather than issuing blanket declarations (usually based on ignorance and half truths) about which countries they won't sell to.

 

Kevin

[Gunman]

just before 1-2 days i started reading a book and has info about types of hamon,activities etc.. but i think my priority are those things.

going for katana

having NBTHK paper (hozon for my money)

having original mei (forgot how its called and read it today heh)

no rust in nakago etc

the one from tokensugita had koshirae also(no idea if its decent but its a good thing) i focus on the blade tho

and as far as this budget allows having a history or a smith with history

ofc traditionaly made from tamahagane (=nihonto?

 

 

You have a start but spend some more time with the book..... of course you want a blade with with hamon and activities, but which ones? which type of hada do you like? Do you like a fancy hamon or a more subtle one? Go online to Rich Stein's site or depending on the book you have, pick out the characteristics you like most. What shape of the blade do you like, there are changes over the years. Spend more time picking out those things that you like, you will end up getting a sword you like more than rushing to just get one. There are several sites to help see those activities you want, try http://www.nihontoantiques.com/sword%20details.htm click on jigane and jihada and hataraki. Even on Rich Stein's site he has characteristics of blades. try to find examples, even on Aoi's site. Look at those characteristics and see what appeals to you! Keep making that list, of course swords that have it all will be more expensive. While koshirae are important and add to the cost, would you prefer a sword in shirasaya or one that is mounted already? my opinion is I want to concentrate on the blade, I can always try and find koshorie for a quality sword. But that is my opinion. You may have a different opinion. All swords have a history and if they are papered it will give you a starting point to research. I still make the recommendation to look more and get more specific, you made some decisions, keep at it. Think of it just like you would when buying a car, style- interior , color, type of radio, etc etc are all things you would consider into the decision. Do the same thing with the sword. I know you want to own a sword, trust me, I understand but spend some more time understanding what you want. Maybe you may want to buy another book or 2 to help in that decision. I just think you will be better served going slower and making the most informed decision. For example, When I was last looking for a sword, I like a nice mokume hada with nioi hamon. I like a more subtle ko gunome hada but eventhough subtle, there can still be lots of hataraki like ashi, inazumi (sp?). Certain schools have these characteristics namely Bizen as one. So that helped me narrow where to look. I like the shape of an older blade, a blade with fumbari (narrows down from the habaki to the kissaki). I like a bit of sori curvature. If you aren't sure what the book is saying find examples on the internet and see if one thing appeals to you more than others. This is just my suggestion but I think the more advanced collectors would agree, take your time and figure out what you want, just like you would when buying a car. You may not be able to buy a Ferrari but there are aspects of that car that you do like that are in cheaper models. Same idea in choosing a blade. Funny thing is that when I have bought a sword, it spoke to me, some I didn't care for and others just appealed to me. I got a sword or 2 to begin with (spent very little money) but then took more of my time to understand what I like and as I said before, everyone likes different things. There are plenty of blades out there, so don't worry that one won't be around. Get those basics down, you won't regret it. Best of luck.

 

will try to study more mate thank you(just for the record i wait 2 more books xd)

 

 

"no rust in nakago etc "

I hope that you do not mean this. If a nakago has its rust removed the value of the sword to a collector is reduced by about 50%. The patina - rust on the tang tell us about the swords age. People avoid artificially aged tangs and cleaned tangs. Sooo be careful and look for the rust or patina in the tang. You want dark rust not red rust. Red rust is active and not wanted - dark patina is wanted.

 

 

thank you a lot had no idea about this(and many more i guess)

so if a sword is papered (about age etc confirm) it is still bad to be polished like new? they prefer rusted like tangsw i guess?

any links/pics for not wanted red dust and dark patina to see differences?

[raven2]

Hi George,

 

I still think you are a little confused. You do want the blade polished but only the nagasa [the length from the kissaki (point) to the muni-machi (the notch or shoulder on the muni or non cutting edge side)]. The only thing that you do not want polished is the nakago (tang).

[Gunman]

Hi,

 

I still think you are a little confused. You do want the blade polished but only the nagasa [the length from the kissaki (point) to the muni-machi (the notch or shoulder on the muni or non cutting edge side)]. The only thing that you do not want polished is the nakago (tang).

 

but if i am not wrong i think this nakago i.e is polished right? http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/katana/image/09040-3.jpg

if it is, why most blades in aoi are like this i mean polished ("losing their value")

[Jean]

George my friend you are totally mistaken.

 

You'll never find (unless mentionned) a polish nakago on a commercial website.

 

A cleaned nakago is white and that is what you must avoid, Do not mistake clean and cleaned

[Gunman]

George my friend you are totally mistaken.

 

You'll never find (unless mentionned) a polish nakago on a commercial website.

 

A cleaned nakago is white and that is what you must avoid, Do not mistake clean and cleaned

 

 

ty for mentioning Jean

[Kevin]

Hi,

 

I still think you are a little confused. You do want the blade polished but only the nagasa [the length from the kissaki (point) to the muni-machi (the notch or shoulder on the muni or non cutting edge side)]. The only thing that you do not want polished is the nakago (tang).

 

but if i am not wrong i think this nakago i.e is polished right? http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/katana/image/09040-3.jpg

if it is, why most blades in aoi are like this i mean polished ("losing their value")

 

Nope - that tang isn't polished at all. The sword was only made in 1943, so it hasn't had enough time to develop a deep patina.

 

Don't ever, ever, ever touch the rust/patina on the tang. Not unless you really want to reduce the value of the sword to near zero. The patina has, in some cases, taken centuries to build up.

 

In addition, don't try cleaning up soft metal sword fittings unless you really know what you're doing, because you can easily remove patination there as well.

 

In fact as a general rule, don't try doing anything to a Japanese sword or its mounts and fittings unless you know what you are doing. Instead, if you need it restored, give it to someone who does know what they are doing, ask their advice and listen.

 

Kevin

[drbvac]

Wish I had my pixk of the bunch, but not partial to western iron from a strictly personal perspective, I am partial to this one actually and the mounts are not bad either!

 

http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/katana/08260.html