Finding Genuine Swords in Northern Japan

[Misawa]

I am new to Japanese sword collecting and I have been reading up on what to look for in finding genuine Nihonto. I currently live in Northern Japan. I am just starting to find some items here in both small antique shops and flea markets. The question I have is do you hear of many fakes being in this region? I would think living in northern, rural Japan, the market would be pretty pure - there are not many swords to choose from, and not too many customers looking at those items. (Hence, no need for influx of fakes) However, I don't have much experience in collecting to be sure. So any thoughts on this region would be great. Also, I have visited some large flea markets down in larger Japanese cities like Tokyo & Kyoto. Are there possibilities of fakes in those markets as well? Or, are there diamonds in the rough to be found there? Or, should I just wait until returning to the US to purchase? Thanks Scott V.

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

Hi Misawa.

A thing that puzzled me so much was this article about swords of the

northern Japan, more resistant to chill :

 

http://www.nihontocraft.com/Ura_Nihon_no_Toko.html

 

Take a look. It's a great reading.

[Grey Doffin]

Scott,

If your level of experience with Japanese swords is such that with the sword in hand you can't tell the real thing from a fake, you need to be studying, not buying. Ask around; there's bound to be sword study groups in Northern Japan, museums with swords to see, and books to read.

If you don't have at least some knowledge of Nihonto you can be taken advantage of by an unscrupulous seller no matter where you are.

Grey

[Rich T]

forget the US, get to Tokyo, you will see some of the best swords money can buy. as well as affordable items. Ginza Choshuya, Ginza Seikodo and Japan Sword are 3 of my favorite sword stores, but there are a few more as well if you want the links.

 

Also, I have a good friend in Sapporo who may be of a help to you. I can set you up to talk if you so desire.

 

Cheers

 

Rich

[Ichi]

There's one sword shop in Misawa city. I never been there, but why don't you drop by and take a look. Don't buying anything yet. Just keep studying until you are ready to identify a decent one from a crap.

 

Token Tomono Kai

Aomori-ken

Misawa-shi

Misawa Horiguchi 17-244

 

刀友会 033-0123 青森県三沢市三沢堀口17-244

 

Tel: 0176-54-2415

Fax:0176-54-2415

[Nobody]

I think that generally there is no so called Chinese fake in Japanese market, because such blades are illegal in Japan. But there may be many true nihonto with gimei.

[Ken-Hawaii]

Koichi is absolutely right!! In my wanderings around Japan's old farmhouses, antique stores, & the like, I've found far more gimei blades than real. Not sure why this is so, but as you learn more about what the nakago should look like, Misawa, the quicker you will be able to spot these fakes, which are found mostly in Japan. Now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever found a gimei blade outside of Japan -- wonder why?

 

Get yourself some good reference books (just click on the Suggested Reading link at the top of this page), & start studying!

[mike yeon]

There are plenty of gimei blades both in and outside of Japan. Especially in the U.S. When the occupation forces were bringing back swords, I doubt the average serviceman was hand picking sho-shin pieces.

 

You should certainly learn/read more if your plan is to start collecting. Mumei (unsigned) blades are not a bad way to go if you know enough to recognize quality (which also takes much study). Authenticating signatures is a whole other level. There are very few individuals that can judge a mei to be fake at a glance, and most of us have to refer to a library of reference materials to get a good idea.

 

But as nobody mentioned, in Japan you're less likely to pick up a "non-Japanese fake". Also, gimei blades are real nihonto with false signatures and shouldn't be thought of in the same catagory as a chinese fake.

 

I know personally how it's like when you're a collector in Japan (kid in a candy shop etc.) If you're insistant on buying something look for papered blades in polish.

 

But as everyone else is reccomending I'd say stick with using the money to buy books for now.

 

Good luck!

 

mike

[Misawa]

Thanks for the info -

What about the possiblity of finding good items are flea markets?

[Grey Doffin]

Yes, sometimes good items show up at the flea markets. Would you be able to tell them apart from the bad items?

Study 1st; then buy.

Grey

[Henry Wilson]

A mumei, polished and papered sword is the way to go for a first purchase IMHO.

 

You can usually get them at a good price.

[Rich T]

forget the US, get to Tokyo, you will see some of the best swords money can buy. as well as affordable items. Ginza Choshuya, Ginza Seikodo and Japan Sword are 3 of my favorite sword stores, but there are a few more as well if you want the links.

 

This was in no way a dig at anything to do with America. It was just that as Scott is already in Japan, he should make every advantage of it.

 

Yes there are great shows to attend in the US, and many excellent clubs, and we all know the good dealers (they are linked above) but they are online, and hands on appreciation would be difficult at best. Tokyo however has so many stores in close proximity to each other where you can look and hold if you have some experience, many museums and galleries and some of the biggest sword appreciation societies in the world.

 

My comment was meant to be more "when in Rome"

 

Just in case anyone was offended. It was not intended.

 

Cheers

 

Rich

[Misawa]

Ichi -

 

Where did you find out about the sword shop in Misawa?

I am going to head over there once I find it (Japanese addresses are a bit hard to pinpoint - they do not believe in marking addresses on the actual houses and shops up here)

 

But, I would like to see if there are other shops in some larger cities up here, chiefly Hachinohe and Aomori.

 

Thanks

Scott

[Ichi]

Hi Scott,

 

I have a sword shop union list. Sorry it's in Japanese. The next closest one is in Fukushima down south.

 

http://www.zentosho.com/member.html

 

Good hunting!