Newly interested in Nihonto, but quite unsure about it all!

[aiki_Fritter]

Hello,

 

I've always been interested in Japanese culture and have lately become more interested in their swords. To cut to the chase, I would very much like to see / purchase an authentic tanto and would be quite happy with it in shirasaya. I suppose my interest is somewhat romantic, as it is for all collectors, but my interest is not in the aesthetic per se. I very much would like one for the spirit in which it was made and used, so even a good mumei in shirasaya would satisfy me at this point.

 

I've been researching for not long, only about 5 hours. I decided to invest some time after I was taken in by a Chinese knock-off that I almost bought, but had too much good sense. The trick is, how do I do this without buying a poor knock-off??

 

Thanks for reading folks,

-David

[pcfarrar]

The best thing is to buy from a reputable dealer like Aoi Art etc. You will need to budget at least $1000 to get something half decent.

 

I have a nice tanto for sale in the classifieds btw:

 

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5813

[aiki_Fritter]

Thanks for the input! Yes, that does look like a lovely blade and I did come to believe I would need a larger budget which currently rests around $800. Otherwise I would have been happy to make an exchange with you Thanks for sharing. I'll PM you in a couple of months and see you still have it~~

[paulb]

David,

first advice is to look at the various websites in the links aove. These are all dealers who have been around for some time and are known to members here

second is avoid ebay unless you are very conident of what you are doing. There ae some good dealers on there but many many more less good to down right bad ones.

 

third if it looks to be to good to be true it almost always is.

once you have found something you like post some images here, while it may not be appropriate to discuss price (thats between buyer and seller) you will undoubtedly get help and advice regading quality and autheticity.

regards

Paul

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

I've been researching for not long, only about 5 hours.

 

budget which currently rests around $800.

 

Good books from the "recommended reading" list of this board, enrolement at a nihonto Study society and trips to museums. You'll run out of money but for sure you'll be on the right track

to not waste the next 800 bucks.

 

My 2 cents....

[Brian Pedersen]

The best you can do is to educate yourself..read books, ask questions and if you have the opportunity, look at some real Japanese swords.

And when the time comes to spend your hard earned cash, buy from a dealer that has a good reputation, they may be a bit more expensive but it's worth it.

One last thing, don't focus too much on the mei!

[loiner1965]

The best thing is to buy from a reputable dealer like Aoi Art etc. You will need to budget at least $1000 to get something half decent.

 

I have a nice tanto for sale in the classifieds btw:

 

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5813

peter is a really good man like many on here and you will have no worries whats so ever in buying from them.....please dont buy anything chinese but buy from here where you know it will be nihonto