NBTHK papers

[komogawa]

Hello,

These NBTHK paper issues sometimes bothers me. I've looked at alot of NBTHK papers (both old kicho & new hozon), and noticed one thing they all have in common. Some columns of hand writing looks the same on all the papers. Columns 1 Kantei Sho, column 4 (the sword been judged at NBTHK), and column 7 (Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai) above seal. In the mei and date issued columns it looks like the hand writing could have been done by someone else. Maybe the judge? Do these papers get made up ahead of time, and the judge fills in some info? I don't think this means that they are fake papers. I see this with the old and new papers. I've seen this done on some swords that one wouldn't bother to fake (mumei wakizashi of unfamiliar smiths). I'm curious as to how the judges wrote up the papers? I'm always worried about a possible fake.

 

Regards,

Komogawa

[Nobody]

I honestly cannot understand why that bothers you.

Did you not notice that the writing columns on the papers were printed fixed forms except mei (including other specific descriptions if any) and date? And those specific descriptions are written by a calligrapher according to the results of experts’ judgments.

[komogawa]

Hello,

Thank you for your reply. Maybe I worded incorrectly. I'm not losing any sleep over some issues that people have had with NBTHK papers (mainly the kicho papers). When I say issues people have, I'm refering to what I've read in previous posts and sites on the internet. I'm interested in who writes all the information on the NBTHK paper. The NBTHK paper states that it was judged by NBTHK, but there is no signature from the individual or individuals who judged the sword. It looks like you answered my question. A judge or several judges will judge a sword, and then another person fills in the specific information (mei & date paper was issued). The rest of the writing on the paper was placed on ahead of time? Yes, some of the writing looks like it was already printed on. The mei column looks like Ichi writing was already printed on. And in the date issued column it looks like the era, year, month, and day writing was already on. The specific info was filled in after. My understanding is the paper is prepared ahead of time with some of the writing already on the paper, then the sword gets judged by several judges, then someone else writes the specific information (signature on tang & date issued) on the paper.

[Nobody]

......

My understanding is the paper is prepared ahead of time with some of the writing already on the paper, then the sword gets judged by several judges, then someone else writes the specific information (signature on tang & date issued) on the paper.

To be precise, it takes several months until the actual paper will be prepared and issued after the sword passed the Shinsa.

[Ted Tenold]

Komogawa,

 

Please sign your posts with your name. Your profile only lists "K S". This is not acceptable according to the rules for participation here.