Shinsakuto swords

[Mr Nolan]

Gents as I explained when I joined I am completely clueless in this field of collecting, having collected extensively in other areas of militaria and general antiques and offered advice in the past to newcomers on the other forums where I post I know there is no such thing as a stupid question, but I do feel uncomfortable amongst so many experienced people in this area, so I proceed with a little trepidation and hope you understand.

 

I have what I regard as a reasonable budget of around £10k to furnish myself with just one (for starters ) very nice conditioned sword with a fully polished blade and nice Koshirae, well, I'm a real condition freak and the way I see it is to scource a good old blade in new polish (have one or two options) and then have the rest refurbished to as new, or, I have picked up on the term's 'Shinsakuto' and 'Shinken which from what I have so far understood are newly made swords that are traditionally made and have some investment potential.

 

So which way chaps, and is £10k enough to furnish me with a really nice heirloom?

 

Also I would prefer to conduct any business within the UK as I really don't relish the thought of the hassle with customs etc.

 

Your advice is sorely needed and will be gratefully received.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Nolan

[IanB]

Dear Mr. Nolan, No doubt my views will invoke a howl of protest, but this is my advice to you. The budget at your disposal will easily enable you to acquire a fine sword in exceptional condition. Rather than opt for a shinsakuto, I would go for a shinshinto katana in its original koshirae. Whilst I have had the honour of handling one particular shinsakuto, which to me was one of the finest blades I have ever seen, there is always an element of the reproduction about them. True Nihonto were those swords used and carried by the bushi of old Japan. There are plenty of fine shinshinto blades that have had almost no polishing and are therefore still appear as their makers intended. The koshirae will be that put together by its original owner whose cannons of taste were those of the late Edo period and not those of a modern person. Equally, during that period some of the finest makers of kodogu worked. If you look hard enough you should be able to find a fine blade in superb mounts without too much trouble. Good luck in your quest.

Ian Bottomley

[Bazza]

I heartily endorse Ian's advice. I have seen a magnificent Shinshinto katana in original koshirae. It is signed MINAMOTO HIDE (also read TERU)TSUGU SESSHU OMIYA HACHIMAN SANROKU-ni OITE KORE-o TSUKURU. It can be seen on the Board here, the first image and description: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=4666&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=sydney+display&start=45. The koshirae is original to the blade. I've also seen a Shinshinto katana made in Sendai with extensive inscription in Sosho and dated 1862 with an unusual handachi koshirae with gold lacquered same. Elsewhere in Australia is a Korekazu VII katana with original koshirae, although this one would run to much more than 10,000 pounds... So yes, there is much fertile ground in Shinshinto. Do please let us know what you eventually buy.

Best regards,

Barry Thomas.

(Melbourne, Australia)

[Mr Nolan]

Ian and Barry, thanks for your input, one of the reasons I asked about refurbished Koshirae is that from what I have so far seen there is not too much opposition to this with regard to Japanese blades, no doubt this could be attributed to the great age of some of the blades, I ask because I have collected Third Reich edged weapons for a good number of years and it is absolute anathema to collectors in this field to alter anything that changes the original integrity of a piece, as I have looked at some of the dealer websites it obvious that some of the swords, especially the very old ones, have been refurbished, but I hear what you are saying and will bear it mind and will keep you posted, though I will not rush into anything, a lesson I learned as a much younger man.

 

Thanks again

 

Nolan

[tagonagy]

Koto, Shinto, Shinshinto, Gendai, Shinsakuto - it all comes down to personal taste and preference. £10k is certainly enough to buy a decent, if not quality blade from any era. To draw an analogy from the art world. I'd equate buying a Shinsakuto, from a top smith - like Yoshihara Yoshindo, with buying a Picasso. Buying an antique, made by Koetesu, would be like buying a VanGough. Top quality is timeless.

 

Things become murkier when you get into less well-known smiths. Swords made by Kimura Kanetsugu will probably appreciate less than one made by Osafune Sukemitsu. On average antique swords will appreciate faster than shinsakuto. There is an undeniable romance of owning a piece of history as well as a piece of art.

 

The advantage of shinsakuto, in my opinion, is vigor. I can't be sure, but I believe that shinsakuto are liess likely to have fatal flaws like Hagire. Shinsakuto are not going to be "tired." You can custom order a shinsakuto to fit your tastes, and needs. If you happen to be a martial artist, this is a real advantage. I doubt many of us would dare use a koto blade for tameshigiri. I do know that Yoshihara's blades have been used for test cutting and did well.

 

Do you want an antique? A classic work of art? A cutting sword? A modern masterpiece? An investment? Once you know tha answer to these questions you can find the right sword for you.