STANDARD YASUKUNITO PASSES TOKUHO

[Guest Simon R]

Hi all,

 

I just wanted to report that I came home tonight to notification from the NBTHK that my 1938 Kajiyama Yasutoku had passed Tokubetsu Hozon.

 

This, in itself, isn't exactly groundbreaking or a game-changer as two Kotani Yasunori blades have already reached Tokuho - but this is the first Yasutoku to my knowledge. Also, my blade is a totally regulation Yasukunito with bog standard hamon, sugata and nagasa - so who knows, perhaps it represents a changing attitude on the part of the NBTHK shinsa?

[SteveM]

Yes, this is kind of a recurring theme here on NMB. I'm not super surprised to see a Yasukuni sword papered by the NBTHK since it presumably satisfies the requirements for papering by NBTHK. But it does feel like more evidence of a relaxing of some attitudes surrounding "wartime" blades. 

 

I think there was a time not too long ago when nobody would dare try to get a wartime sword registered, and so NBTHK authentication was unthinkable. Nowadays there seems to be a more generous attitude towards registration of certain Shōwa-era blades. So if its got a registration card and a signature, and is an obviously hand-forged sword like a Yasukuni sword, there's no reason to think the NBTHK won't paper it.  

[Guest Simon R]

2 hours ago, SteveM said:

Yes, this is kind of a recurring theme here on NMB. I'm not super surprised to see a Yasukuni sword papered by the NBTHK since it presumably satisfies the requirements for papering by NBTHK. But it does feel like more evidence of a relaxing of some attitudes surrounding "wartime" blades. 

 

I think there was a time not too long ago when nobody would dare try to get a wartime sword registered, and so NBTHK authentication was unthinkable. Nowadays there seems to be a more generous attitude towards registration of certain Shōwa-era blades. So if its got a registration card and a signature, and is an obviously hand-forged sword like a Yasukuni sword, there's no reason to think the NBTHK won't paper it.  

Hi Steve,

 

The sword was registered when I first came to Japan 17 years ago and passed Hozon shortly thereafter. I have since read of many wartime gendaito which have passed NBTHK shinsa but none - apart from maybe Gassan - which reached Tokuho until the past couple of years. Therefore, I agree with you that there is a seeming change in attitudes nowadays.
 

[PNSSHOGUN]

It seemed like only a few years ago that only the very best Gendai could hope to reach TH. Along with some of the absolute shocker oil tempered showato with stamps crudely removed receiving Hozon, it really tests the faith in the Gendai team. 

[Guest Simon R]

28 minutes ago, PNSSHOGUN said:

It seemed like only a few years ago that only the very best Gendai could hope to reach TH. Along with some of the absolute shocker oil tempered showato with stamps crudely removed receiving Hozon, it really tests the faith in the Gendai team. 

Well John, after three years of Covid the NBTHK are as strapped for cash as everyone else - and passing something makes them almost four times as much money as failing it.

In fact, if the yen continues to plummet against the dollar, I might just stick it into Juyo - just for a laugh.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Well you might as well show us this nice Yasutoku! 

[Guest Simon R]

1 minute ago, PNSSHOGUN said:

Well you might as well show us this nice Yasutoku! 

Pleased to do so when I get it back from the sword museum next week.👍

[Guest Simon R]

In the meantime, here are the links to the other two Yasukunito with Tokuho papers:

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/275723537318?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338722076&customid=&toolid=10050

(Papered 2021)

 

 

https://sword-auction.com/en/product/14383/as22455-刀白鞘入り特別保存刀剣/

(Papered 2022)

Edited April 4, 2023 by SRDRowson
Changing the latter origami date from 2000 to 2022 as per Steve's observation.

[SteveM]

Slight correction:

The one from Aoi was papered in 2022. It was registered in 2000. 

 

[Guest Simon R]

36 minutes ago, SteveM said:

Slight correction:

The one from Aoi was papered in 2022. It was registered in 2000. 

 

Thanks Steve,

I was looking at the wrong date!

 

However, this actually bears out my theory of the NBTHK being hit hard enough financially in the past three years to 'move their goalposts' (and perhaps even lower their bar) to make some extra funds.

[Volker62]

as Mr. Han Bing Sion  wrote, more than 30 years ago!!

 

" Treasures of the future"

[Brian]

Not sure why the assumption should be monetary.
Simple fact is that since the study of Gandaito has improved over the years, more and more Japanese collectors and dealers have realized the quality of some of the wartime stuff. In the same way higher end Gendaito have increased in value and desirability, it is only natural that the Shinsa groups notice this too, and start valuing them.
I don't find it odd at all that they are getting papers and being more sought after.
The Showato with papers are another story entirely, and I suspect that is more due to favours.
 

[Guest Simon R]

10 hours ago, Brian said:

Not sure why the assumption should be monetary.
Simple fact is that since the study of Gandaito has improved over the years, more and more Japanese collectors and dealers have realized the quality of some of the wartime stuff. In the same way higher end Gendaito have increased in value and desirability, it is only natural that the Shinsa groups notice this too, and start valuing them.
I don't find it odd at all that they are getting papers and being more sought after.
The Showato with papers are another story entirely, and I suspect that is more due to favours.
 

Well, the shinsa team certainly seems to have had an absolute epiphany as to the artistic value of gendaito post-2020.

(Merely a fortuitous coincidence, I'm sure.)

[Volker62]

as far as I know,

 

 it was not uncommon for a few dealers in Japan to take  Yasukuni-to to make them into koto blades

 

by removing its signature!!

[Guest Simon R]

Indeed Volker!

 

Tsuruta-san of Aoi Art made the following comment on his website about a year ago:

 

"From Aoi Art: When I was around 30 years old (50 years ago), I bring my Yasuoki's Katana to one polisher's home and ask him to polish it. But he said that he really wants to purchase my sword because he senses the potential. I did not understand what he said but he says he will purchase it at an expensive price, so I accepted it. After he purchases it, he polishes the blade, erases the Mei, and makes the sword looks like Suriage-Mumei, Then accepts the sword to NBTHK Shinsa. Surprisingly, the sword passed the Shinsa and was judged as the Kamakura period's sword, even the Yasuoki sword just made around a few years ago from that day."

[Volker62]

sorry 

 

Simon

 

what exactly is meant by  so called

 

 

"standard Yasukuni to"?

 

 

please keeep in mind!

 

 

All Yasukuni to  go through a very strict shinsa, by great Experts of this time!

[Volker62]

T'ks Simon

 

please read Kenji Mishina's comment  in" Tom Kishida's book", after he polished a yasunori

 

during his stay in UK

 

"My first encounter with a Yasunori "

 

 

 

[Guest Simon R]

10 minutes ago, Volker62 said:

sorry 

 

Simon

 

what exactly is meant by  so called

 

 

"standard Yasukuni to"?

 

 

please keeep in mind!

 

 

All Yasukuni to  go through a very strict shinsa, by great Experts of this time!

Hi Volker,

 

I meant that it is the standard length and hamon for that group, and not an imperial presentation piece.

I believe the two previous Yasunori blades to achieve Tokuho (links given above) are 68.2cm and 70.2cm respectively - long enough to stand out from most Yasukunito as rarities.

 

Despite Kishida-san's fascinating observations (naturally, I have his book), I doubt mine would have been given the time of day by a TH shinsa ten years ago.

[Baba Yaga]

5 hours ago, SRDRowson said:

Tsuruta-san of Aoi Art made the following comment on his website about a year ago:

 

"From Aoi Art: When I was around 30 years old (50 years ago), I bring my Yasuoki's Katana to one polisher's home and ask him to polish it. But he said that he really wants to purchase my sword because he senses the potential. I did not understand what he said but he says he will purchase it at an expensive price, so I accepted it. After he purchases it, he polishes the blade, erases the Mei, and makes the sword looks like Suriage-Mumei, Then accepts the sword to NBTHK Shinsa. Surprisingly, the sword passed the Shinsa and was judged as the Kamakura period's sword, even the Yasuoki sword just made around a few years ago from that day."

 

It's not like the 1st time this happen, or the last time. Best to ignore the face of reality and live a happier life. People wonder why the key was invented.   

[Volker62]

I'm very excited  to see your Yasunori Simon 

[Guest Simon R]

19 minutes ago, Volker62 said:

I'm very excited  to see your Yasunori Simon 

Thank you Volker!

 

When I get the blade back from the NBTHK next week I will take some proper photographs. In the meantime, these are the seller's photos from nearly 20 years ago and so they are not that great (and I also laminated them which obscures the images even further).

 

BTW, there is an extra sheet where I put together any information which might identify the original owner - an ambition in which I have so far entirely failed.

[Volker62]

Ka Mon of the )'98 pattern Koshirae by yasunori's / yasutoku's son kayijama Yasutoshi

 

69,9 cm long extremly hard to find.....

[Guest Simon R]

1 minute ago, Volker62 said:

Ka Mon of the )'98 pattern Koshirae by yasunori's / yasutoku's son kayijama Yasutoshi

 

69,9 cm long extremly hard to find.....

Fantastic, Volker! As you say, an incredibly rare sword to own - and, as it happens, it bears my wife's family kamon. 🙂

[Volker62]

Thank you for sharing...

 

the blades shape alone is beautiful

 

I'm very ecited 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Simon, that doesn't look at all like a 'standard' Yasukuni-To. The Kiji-mono Nakago and the Oshigata showing a Hamon with many Ashi are certainly not standard and were likely contributing factors in the sword receiving TH.

[Guest Simon R]

2 hours ago, PNSSHOGUN said:

Simon, that doesn't look at all like a 'standard' Yasukuni-To. The Kiji-mono Nakago and the Oshigata showing a Hamon with many Ashi are certainly not standard and were likely contributing factors in the sword receiving TH.

Thank you, John,

 

I'm aware that I've probably come across as rather cynical and possibly even ungrateful in this post. Truth be told, I'm absolutely delighted that my sword made TH - it is only that my faith in the NBTHK shinsa (hitherto unshakeable) took a sizeable knock when I saw that Showato pass Hozon and then realised that Yasukunito suddenly started getting higher level origami at exactly the same time the coronavirus pandemic started to hit every organisation firmly in its pocket.

 

Anyhow, I hope my Yasutoku made the grade on its own merits as you and Volker have very kindly reassured me is most likely.

 

Best regards,

 

simon