"Tokubetsu hozon" In how much bad shape this blade can be?

[Rawa]

Opinion on reappearing sword please.

Prievious auction:

https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/shop/product/antique-Japanese-sword-katana-attributed-to-mitsuyuki-nbthk-tokubetsu-hozon-certificate/?srsltid=AfmBOopCC_hV-RiqGUy8VVyhK1MaK7kohijsbOD5N2xn9rHWsi-cbThv

 

And now current auction:

 

https://www.ebay.pl/itm/376192163516?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=4908-175131-2357-0&ssspo=eimncemerzo&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=jrSzcucxTf-&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

 

[Ray Singer]

The blade is a Nanbokucho period Esshu Kuniyuki. There is an increasing degree of forgiveness on shinsa outcomes as you go further back in time. Older swords by respected old masters can receive Tokubetsu Hozon or higher even with varying degrees of flaws and condition issues. I am away from home at the moment, but perhaps someone can post photos of the Compton collection Ko-Bizen Hiromitsu, which had a quite severe and extended kitae-ware in the monouchi, but received juyo being a long, ubu, zaimei example by that very rare Ko-Bizen smith. Perhaps that particular sword would not have received juyo today, I'm no longer I'm comfortable speculating on the ability of a particular sword to pass Juyo, but I'm only sharing as an example of the leeway that can be given based on age and historical importance (among other factors). 

[Rawa]

Thx for all input. I would expect that blade is like one big shintetsu with amount of mune ware looking like fishing net.

[Lewis B]

1 hour ago, Ray Singer said:

The blade is a Nanbokucho period Esshu Kuniyuki. There is an increasing degree of forgiveness on shinsa outcomes as you go further back in time. Older swords by respected old masters can receive Tokubetsu Hozon or higher even with varying degrees of flaws and condition issues. I am away from home at the moment, but perhaps someone can post photos of the Compton collection Ko-Bizen Hiromitsu, which had a quite severe and extended kitae-ware in the monouchi, but received juyo being a long, ubu, zaimei example by that Ko-Bizen smith. Perhaps that particular sword would not have received juyo today, I'm no longer I'm comfortable speculating on the ability of a particular sword to pass Juyo, but I'm only sharing as an example of the leeway that can be given based on age and historical importance (among other factors). 

Yes, and even saiha pass Juyo in rare cases.

 

I bet this is a case of buyers remorse. That blade looks rough and tired. Still a lot cheaper than the 22mil Yen paid for the dubious condition TJ recently.

[Nicholas]

Ko Bizen Hiromitsu from Compton collection

 

[Rawa]

Price lovered to 4300 usd. 

[Rawa]

And no its not my auction.

[Rayhan]

On 4/24/2025 at 6:18 PM, Lewis B said:

Yes, and even saiha pass Juyo in rare cases.

 

I bet this is a case of buyers remorse. That blade looks rough and tired. Still a lot cheaper than the 22mil Yen paid for the dubious condition TJ recently.

I think this opinion on Saiha needs to come with a disclaimer that the sword needs to be historically significant, like the blades from Osaka castle that were damaged and Saiha done by Yasutsugu first, etc. Not just any.

[Lewis B]

3 hours ago, Rayhan said:

I think this opinion on Saiha needs to come with a disclaimer that the sword needs to be historically significant, like the blades from Osaka castle that were damaged and Saiha done by Yasutsugu first, etc. Not just any.

Such as the saiha Juyo Shintogo Kunimitsu retempured by Yasutsugu and was the victim of the Osaka castle fire.