Yasukuni sword on ebay

[katanako]

There is a Yasukuni Yasunori blade in shirasaya on ebay, with an

ONSHI habaki. Item number: 160344342167

The seller is absolutely honest. But I have reservations about this blade.

The signature doesn't match the signature in the Yasukuni sword book, and the kanji on the habaki doesn't match a photo that I have showing a real Onshi inscribed habaki. The rust in the signature bothers me...it just doesn't seem old enough. The seller will include a large framed photo of a group of people sitting with the Imperial Palace in the background, with a small photo of Emperor Hirohito inset. Is the framed photo supposed to give "authenticity" to the Yasunori blade? Any comments will be appreciated. I do not intend to bid on this sword. Just curious to know if my hunches are right.

 

KATANAKO

[Gunome]

Hi,

 

From my point of view, patina of the nakago looks strange for a blade dated 1936. Seems too dark and homogeneous...

Photo is coming with the sword because it came from the same family. Maybe there is a link between its ?!? But this wasn't explained.

 

Sebastien

[Ted Tenold]

Guaranteed against fatal flaws such as hagire or shinae, otherwise sold as is.

 

Curiously, the seller seems to have this little statement in all his auctions, even for many famous makers with old "papers". In the past, there have been Kiyomaro, Kotetsu, and others with these "papers" for unbelievably low prices, but always that little clause; "otherwise sold as is". I wonder if he would guarantee the old papers would upgrade to current ones. It would be wise to ask before buying.

 

Of course I've also seen several of his auctions with other swords with newer current papers and all of the sudden, the prices are much higher and seem to be more in line with what one would expect to pay. Hmmm, very interesting.

 

Is he honest? Although one can't say from his descriptions that he is being outwardly dishonest, the differences between these auctions does bring up questions, and ignorance is poor excuse considering the quantity of swords this seller offers on a regular basis.

 

As for the Yasukuni sword; the signature does not match. The Nakago on a 70 year old sword should have better, cleaner condition. After looking at the sword it's pointless to research the validity of the habaki.

[katanako]

This message board has saved me several thousands of dollars and grief!

That is why I will donate every year.

 

Yes, Mike is absolutely honest. He does have a disclaimer that he cannot guarentee the authenticity of any swords he gets from his suppliers in Japan. Once, I was interesed in a particular sword, and he steered me away from it because he didn't feel comfy with the signature. He is not a one-person Shinsa, he was just offering his own opinion.

 

I was tempted with this Yasunori, but your second opinion settled it.

Thank you guys for helping me save $10K!!! I think I will stick to dealers like ricecracker, etc.

 

KATANAKO

[Nobody]

FYI: http://www.h4.dion.ne.jp/~t-ohmura/gunto_016.htm

 

However; I am unsure.

[sencho]

Guaranteed against fatal flaws such as hagire or shinae' date=' [b']otherwise sold as is[/b].

 

Curiously, the seller seems to have this little statement in all his auctions, even for many famous makers with old "papers".

 

I bought a sword from Mike with no papers.... he flat out guaranteed the sword to pass shinsa or he would refund the buyers money and expenses (edit - not shinsa expenses)..... never said anything about 'sold as is'...

 

I won the auction.... love the sword.... don't care for, or about, shinsa, so never sent it to even try to obtain papers....

 

Have never had anything but full honesty and assistance from Mike... however I am sure he has dealt with plenty of people that need the phrase 'Caveat Emptor' explaining to them... "sold as is" seems a very sensible thing to add to the description!

 

Cheers

[Brian]

It is pretty well understood by most active Nihonto collectors that Mike's auctions for swords with old papers and no guarantee would most likely not pass shinsa if submitted again. If you asked him, I am sure he would say the same thing.

Swords he is confident on, he gives the guarantee. He has 2 usernames...one for consigment swords from Japan and one for his own stuff.

That's that. Kiyomaru, Lotetsu etc with older papers will NOT pass a second shinsa. But then again, they aren't selling for the price of one.

Nobody should be surprised if they don't get a true Kotetsu for $5K.

 

Brian

[Jean]

Nobody should be surprised if they don't get a true Kotetsu for $5K.

 

Brian, you've just killed a 50 year dream, I'll hate you for the rest of my miserable life and am going to look in my Harry Potter's books to send you the worst curse which can exist (Unfortunately, I've lost Voldemore's phone number so I cannot get the best one available on the market at less than 30$ )