Currently Available Tokubetsu Juyo Token on the Market

[treverorum]

As I search for outstanding pieces, I thought it might be helpful to compile a list of Tokubetsu Juyo Token currently available for purchase. Here’s what I’ve found so far:

1. Tachi by Sadatoshi (Ayakōji School)

Tachi by Sadatoshi (Ayakōji School) – Price: ¥28,000,000

2. Katana by Katayama Ichimonji (Mumei)

Katana by Katayama Ichimonji (Mumei) – Price: Unknown

3. Katana by Yamato Tegai School

Katana by Yamato Tegai School (Touken Matsumoto) – Price: ¥20,000,000

4. Tachi by Hojoji Kunimitsu (Mumei)

Tachi by Hojoji Kunimitsu (Mumei) – Price: Unknown

5. Tachi by Rai Kunimitsu

Tachi by Rai Kunimitsu – Price: Unknown

 

While these are excellent offerings, most are listed by dealers in Japan. This leads me to my next questions:

1. Has anyone already inquired about the prices for the swords with unknown values?

It would be great to know what kind of range these listings fall into, as it might help gauge the market better.

2. Are there any trusted European dealers currently offering Tokubetsu Juyo swords?

Import taxes, shipping risks, and international handling can add significant costs and concerns when purchasing from outside Europe, so I would prefer options closer to home if possible.

 

If you know of other Tokubetsu Juyo Token available on the market (from anywhere), or if you can recommend European sellers specializing in high-end swords, I’d greatly appreciate your insights!

 

Thanks in advance for helping me navigate this exciting market.

[oli]

Maybe the Expo in Utrecht next year: https://www.japanartfair.com

 

But i dident saw this year so expensive Swords there. Last expo https://www.japanartexpo.com

[Lewis B]

I know of a TJ Norishige available in Europe. Not cheap at 320k Euro. Said to be the first Norishige to pass Juyo Shinsa and then subsequently attained TJ status. Strong Ko Hoki appearance.

Whats you budget?

[nulldevice]

https://www.tsuruginoya.com/artwork.html Has 5 TJ currently available:

Bizen Osafune Tomomitsu - 18.5M

Osafune Chogi - 20.0M

Osafune Kanemitsu - 17.5M

Soshu Norishige - ???

Saeki Norishige - ???

 

[Natichu]

4 minutes ago, nulldevice said:

https://www.tsuruginoya.com/artwork.html Has 5 TJ currently available:

Bizen Osafune Tomomitsu - 18.5M

Osafune Chogi - 20.0M

Osafune Kanemitsu - 17.5M

Soshu Norishige - ???

Saeki Norishige - ???

 

Was just about to start copying some links into the thread. Thank you! 

[treverorum]

My pockets are not infinite—let’s just say €320k might be something for future me to consider! For now, I’m exploring the options within a more modest range. I’ve been approached by several people already, and obtained lists with average prices over the years. This has also given me a better understanding of the discretion involved in this market.

[Lewis B]

5 minutes ago, treverorum said:

My pockets are not infinite—let’s just say €320k might be something for future me to consider! For now, I’m exploring the options within a more modest range. I’ve been approached by several people already, and obtained lists with average prices over the years. This has also given me a better understanding of the discretion involved in this market.

Personally I would focus on a high quality juyo. Preferably one from 60’s shinsa. The TJ premium is not worth price of admission IMHO. 

[nulldevice]

11 minutes ago, treverorum said:

My pockets are not infinite—let’s just say €320k might be something for future me to consider! For now, I’m exploring the options within a more modest range. I’ve been approached by several people already, and obtained lists with average prices over the years. This has also given me a better understanding of the discretion involved in this market.

What are your tastes? Are you looking for a TJ to be your first purchase? You could get a number of amazing Juyo swords for that much. Going for TJ just because its TJ might leave something to be desired IMO instead of owning various high level Juyo for the same price that cover a wide range of schools, periods, styles, etc. From a study perspective, that's the route I'd go with 20M sitting around. Not saying TJ is bad, by definition, it isn't, its some of the best work ever. But many Juyo aren't far behind and you could have a very well curated collection of a few pieces for the price of 1 TJ. 

[BKB5]

This is just me - no horse in the race as they say "although I am looking at Juyo blades at about 10x lower than your range" - at that price point and pedigree, I would contact a European specialist or Japanese specialist and have them hunt down a sword for me. One could be recommended by many here and they can be your eyes and hands. At a 300K Euro price point I would myself have to see it in person and travel to where the blade was. 2 TJ blades at 300K Euro - 1 could speak to me like a siren - then other be as boring as can be - especially the real old Koto blades. I am finding Japanese swords to be "fine fine art" - in the eye of the beholder. All to be admired but to each his own tastes. I may get ripped up but "probably not to be bought as an investment for future return" just an incredible piece of history. Everything goes up and down in the market and arms and armor have traditionally not done well. Tastes change too. Old master paintings that once sold for 100 million plus are hard to sell now at all due to the desire for modern art "stuff that I would not give a dollar for" - but that's personal tastes!!!.
At your price - take you time - pay for expertise, proper shipping by an expert company that will handle priceless pieces (remember things get shipped worldwide that are in the hundreds of millions of Euro or .....priceless). 
Good luck on your search for a treaure.

[Tsuku]

9 hours ago, treverorum said:

3. Katana by Yamato Tegai School

Katana by Yamato Tegai School (Touken Matsumoto) – Price: ¥20,000,000

 

This sword has nothing to do with Yamato Tegai. It is zaimei, "Jitsu'a saku." Jitsu'a was the father of Sairen who was the father of Samonji (O-Sa), one of the students of Masamune.

 

If I may offer two small pieces of advice — Tokubetsu Jūyō means "especially important" and not "especially nice sword." You have to be able to figure out why something is "especially important" to put it into context. That Jitsu'a is actually a good example of why context matters, Jitsu'a is a bit of a provincial smith.

 

Also, one cannot say that just because blade A is Tokubetsu Jūyō now and blade B is "merely" Jūyō, blade A is "better" than blade B. That is not really how it works. You cannot even say that blade A is better than blade C where is "merely" Hozon. The reason why is simple: the paper is establishing a floor, not a ceiling. If you handed me a healthy signed Awataguchi Hisakuni (or Osafune Mitsutada, or... whatever, pick your top grandmaster of all time) and it only had Hozon papers, well, that blade would be easily worth more than several more mundane Tokuju put together. That zaimei absolute grandmaster blade is Tokuju already, the paperwork just hasn't caught up yet — and maybe never will, because why bother?

[Gakusee]

12 hours ago, Lewis B said:

I know of a TJ Norishige available in Europe. Not cheap at 320k Euro. Said to be the first Norishige to pass Juyo Shinsa and then subsequently attained TJ status. Strong Ko Hoki appearance.

Whats you budget?

That (first Juyo) Norishige is not available any more and that was not the price….Regardless, amazing sword.

[Bart]

Pablo Kuntz from Unique Japan usually has nice high end blades on offer for sale and he is also based in UK. I am sure he would find you something that you like.

[Lewis B]

8 hours ago, Gakusee said:

That (first Juyo) Norishige is not available any more and that was not the price….Regardless, amazing sword.

Well that was the price I was quoted by the dealer back in June. 

[Lewis B]

1 hour ago, Bart said:

Pablo Kuntz from Unique Japan usually has nice high end blades on offer for sale and he is also based in UK. I am sure he would find you something that you like.

But there will be hefty import tax and duties imposed when shipping to the EU, now that the UK is a 3rd country.

[Bart]

40 minutes ago, Lewis B said:

But there will be hefty import tax and duties imposed when shipping to the EU, now that the UK is a 3rd country.

Similar as if you were importing directly from Japan. But with the author budget I thing this will be the least of his worries.

 

And by the looks of things soon you won't be able to import any decent antiques in to EU without  massive hoops to go through with what they have planned for next year 🙄

 

https://theada.co.uk...SB3AQ05yvN3TbP9jfEnw

[tom]

Hi,

if you look for quallity juyo Katana here in Europe, we have always Koto and Shinto juyo and Tokubetsu juyo in stock.

You can hold these Blades always in hand and you can check the Blades by yourself.

A few we have on the webside, but mutch more in Stock.

Please check at

www.japanesesword.de

 

Best Regards

Thomas