katanako Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 I came across a huge, and I mean HUGE Shinshinto katana, supposedly forged by Hiroyama Shige Zaemon Fujiwara Yoshinaga Saku, circa 1860 on the online auction. He was a student of Gassan Sadayoshi. Seller is reputable. Cutting edge is slight over 33." I'm a novice collector and still learning. The asking price is hefty, almost the cost of an average Gassan Sadakatsu or a 2010 Toyota Corolla. My question to you: As I have never seen such a sword auctioned, I'd like to know if this is an oversized "novelty" by a garden variety smith, or worthy of further consideration (crawling to my wife). I just have this thing for big blades. I need serious counseling! Quote
Stephen Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 http://cgi.ebay.com/Japanese-Samurai-Sw ... 41568a3555 Quote
drbvac Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 Saw this yesterday and it's a monster for sure although many blades in this time were 70-80-cm in length its just it is very wide and thick - nice for sure - no clue for value? Quote
cabowen Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 Believe it or not oversized blades in Japan actually sell at a discount in many cases. They are usually considered too large to have actually been practical for use and are often blades donated to shrines and the like. All too often the workmanship is second rate as well as it is very difficult to forge and heat treat evenly a piece of steel when it gets this large. Add to that the polishing and mounting costs.... I have a blade made at the Yasukuni Shrine during the 1930's that is 33" long and was actually mounted and carried, but this is both an exception and exceptional.... Quote
drbvac Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 My Kanemitsu tachi from the muromachi period is lengthy as well at 33.97 inches , 86.5 cm but it is not as wide or thick. Still quite a piece of metal to wield, but not as heavy. Quote
Pete Klein Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 "It's in my DNA"; Sean Boswell . Quote
Ed Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 It looks like a nice sword. You are asking is it worth it. It is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it. If you have the coin and think it will make you happy, buy it. I think the price is certainly related to the size, as many buyers are fascinated with longer blades, but I would not use the term novelty. I would ask myself, would I buy a sword from this smith for this price or close to it if it were say 29", a 4" difference. If you decide yes, buy it. Only you can decide if it is worth it. Doc, nice Kanemitsu. I once had a Tokubetsu Hozon, Shodai Shigetaka with 40.6" nagasa. http://yakiba.com/kat_shigetaka.htm Quote
daishobohi Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 You like long blades heres a quality sword thats long http://nihonto.us/NAKAYAMA%20YOSHIKAZU.htm Yitzy Quote
daishobohi Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 And another http://cgi.ebay.com/Excellent-Japanese- ... 4aa6398954 reagrds Yitzy Quote
katanako Posted February 7, 2011 Author Report Posted February 7, 2011 Thank you all for your comments! I always get an educationhere! Quote
gudis Posted February 8, 2011 Report Posted February 8, 2011 And another http://cgi.ebay.com/Excellent-Japanese- ... 4aa6398954 reagrds Yitzy Ohh, this blade has been on Ebay forever !! I believe the a expensive blade that this are VERY hard to sell on an online auction. I wouldnt buy a blade that expensive without seen it LIVE. Quote
daishobohi Posted February 8, 2011 Report Posted February 8, 2011 Ohh, this blade has been on Ebay forever !! I believe the a expensive blade that this are VERY hard to sell on an online auction. I wouldnt buy a blade that expensive without seen it LIVE. _________________ //Niclas Gudmundsson My friend thats why there is an inspection period on blades.........And the blade on ebay is an exceptional piece. Yitzy Quote
gudis Posted February 9, 2011 Report Posted February 9, 2011 Ohh, this blade has been on Ebay forever !! I believe the a expensive blade that this are VERY hard to sell on an online auction. I wouldnt buy a blade that expensive without seen it LIVE. _________________ //Niclas Gudmundsson My friend thats why there is an inspection period on blades.........And the blade on ebay is an exceptional piece. Yitzy Yes thats correct, but even if it an inspection period for the blade it's anyway a big chunk of $$ to put up for something that you have not seen in real life. If I would pay over $10000 for a blade, then I would have paid an flight ticket for $500 and pick up the blade in person The pictures on eBay shows the blade very good, but still it's an expensive blade. I can say that in my life I would never afford a piece like that. I'm not having those kind of money to spend, just in my dreams I can buy it Quote
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