Comparing Apples And Oranges (Edo Wakizashi Vs Muromachi Katana)

[Seto]

I'm planning to take a look at both these swords in person. I've already seen the Wakizashi once a few months ago (I liked it then) and this will be my first time viewing this Katana.  

 

The Wakizashi is being offered for $2500 and the Katana $4200. I know it's a bit like comparing apples to oranges, but I'm interested in your thoughts. At the most superficial of level, I like hamon on the Wakizashi better, but I like Tsuka of the Katana better. I reserve the rest of my opinion until a see it in person. My budget can't afford both. I admit this will be my first sword and ascetics are a factor. I'm looking for one piece that I can be reasonable proud of and not break the bank. Thanks for your insight. 

 

Katana

 

 

Wakizashi

 

 

 

[Jwrussell]

Looking at your pictures I think I would go with the Katana. At your price range (which happens to be mine as well), my suggestion is that there is anything about the package that you know is going to bug you, keep looking.

[Katsujinken]

Without better photos of the swords, my best advice is to buy the blade you love the most. Ignore the fittings. They can all be changed later if that’s important to you. The blade is what you’re paying for.

 

Make sure you can inspect the nakago of both blades to ensure it matches the papers.

[16k]

Personally, I’d go for the Katana too. Yes, a wavy Hamon always looks gorgeous, but it is often said that Suguha are more difficult to do and having both kind (and, like you, I wanted my first to be midare something because it looks more flashy), I’ve got to admit that there’s some sort of simple, pure beauty in a Suguha Hamon that somehow make them absolutely beautiful.

[Ganko]

I would opt for the katana. The blade is a nice length and the koshirae would like nice on the kake. Sukesada pieces typically have very flamboyant temper lines and since this one does not, I would expect it to have very good work in it.  As Michael said you should buy the one you like best and you will have no regrets. You should also look at some others and see how these compare with them.

 

 TomC

[Vermithrax16]

Get the papers translated if you can't read them and as Michael said above, fittings are the extra, and see the nakago.

[Surfson]

Hard to say based on these photos.  At these prices, you have lots of options, so I would advise patience.  Neither are noted makers, the katana is shinto (I guess) and shortened (usually to be avoided, though the NMB has had some nice debates about this), and without a well regarded maker or gorgeous mounts, wakizashis are hard to sell.  Having said that, both have nbthk papers, are in good polish and have mounts that appear to be in good shape (though be careful that they are not reproductions!).  My advice is that if one of them really speaks to you, make an offer about 20% below the asking price and maybe you can get into it ok.  

[Valric]

It is wise for you to ask this question. It is never just A or B. I come loaded with different advice: Don't buy waks, don't buy run off the mill Shinto katana, don't buy low-tier stuff in general. There is too little to learn and too much to regret. No, go get yourself exposed to top quality at a fraction of the price. 

 

4500.-

 

Go for a barbell strategy of extreme quality combined with an extreme flaw. Seek the most problematic top quality blade. The broken masterpiece. This will allow you to approach great quality work at a fraction of the price. Mumei Shinto or Shinshinto with Hozon attribution to Jo-Jo/Sai-jo Saku level smith is a good way to get quality at steep discount and these are in the 5K range (as opposed to 30K+ signed examples). 

 

Another path: Get a dead koto blade of a good school. Not dead because of over-polish: you want to see that Jihada. But dead because it has no Boshi, a Hagire, or because it was re-tempered. These are fatal flaws just like mumei shinto/shin-shinto will drop the price down to the ground and you will see beauty like you've never seen and learn like you never could. 

 

And how to orchestrate such a barbell strategy? The broken masterpieces aren't exactly common, unlike the Shinto Waks. Take opportunity: write a polite letter in English, introduce yourself, say what you're looking for. Get it translated by Markus Sesko in Japanese and checked for courtesy, and send it off to ~ ten dealers. Send a reminder after two months. Ask on NMB. 

[Brian]

I wouldn't necessarily buy a sword in Japan just because I was there at the time, especially if you are leaving.
There are excellent deals to be found outside of Japan, and you should at least look at some of the offering on the board. There are some amazing swords at good prices.
Among others, look at the offerings of people like Ray, Ed, Grey and Joe. I know all have some awesome swords, and if you are not tied to old swords...some of Joe's Gendaito (if still available) are more than tempting. As are the offers of the others mentioned..and many other members here.
Just don't buy just because of location.

[Seto]

Thanks for your all your replies.  I have been looking at more than these two blades. These two were just my favorites.

 

Is there something with the blade that points to it being a shinto (other than Shinto being most common)? Seller says 1550s-1570s. I been researching the smith (by the kanji in in the mie) and it looks like most blades by the smith are 1570's. The youngest I could find was one estimated at 1585. 

[nagamaki - Franco]

Hello,

 

There have been at times some terrific sword buys at the U.S. sword shows right off the tables in your price range. Take your time and regardless of where you end up making your purchase, be selective. The NBTHK shinsa standards for Tokubetsu Hozon make for an excellent guideline to follow when evaluating a sword. At least then you will more or less know and understand where a sword falls before buying and why.

 

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

[Surfson]

It's hard to tell if the Sukesada is koto or shinto, and NBTHK papers don't necessarily tell you the era.  I agree with Franco about the availability of better swords at that price range in the US.  

[Rivkin]

Neither is particular bad or distinguished, so I guess its up to wheather you truly like something. The mounts do look a tad like possibly recent assembly "on a budget" just so that the sword is sold as a whole rather than bare blade. Its sort of allows it to dig deeper into martial arts market - and if you just want the blade is something that can be avoided.

For 5k usd you can start seeing good things in shirasaya, but if you know what you are looking for and lucky - takes time I guess.

With a US seller you usually get at least three days of inspection period to return if you buy online.

In Japan I would look at Aoi Art, since it is a good shop that does deal in this price level-has koshirae kind of things.

 

Kirill R.