Ed

The top right stamp is the "Nan" Army arsenal stamp.

Hi everyone, Apologies for not putting up a note sooner, with other projects I haven't been here as much as I would like. Yes, my site, Yakiba.com, is under new construction. As Brian mentioned I have scaled back a little, thought of shutting it down, but I still have a few friends who periodically ask me to help them sell some of their things. So, I guess I will be around a bit longer. Unsure of a new release date as I am not a tech guru and doing it in my spare time. FaceBook is just one of the networking platforms one must accept these days. I moderate on a few of the groups and recently took over the "Japanese Tsuba Collectors" group. At any rate, thanks for asking. Ed

Wow, I just drove through there a few weeks ago from Niagara Falls on my way to VT.

Yep, I checked as well and while they are an option, they are not an inexpensive option. Each book must be labeled and the total weigh of the M-bag cannot exceed 66 lbs. Shipping the box of JSS/US Newsletters to Germany would cost $250 with no tracking or insurance via M-bag. Whereas Priority mail is $150.

Cool, I will look into it tomorrow.

Brian, There is a media mail option within the US, which is downright cheap with what shipping costs these day. I guess they did away with the option you refer to or at least for something so heavy. I went to the counter and asked if there was any way to ship these books overseas any cheaper and was told yes and no. Yes, there was an option but it had a weight restriction of 4 lbs. So no, due to the weight. Even Priority International "Flat Rate" has a weight limit of 20 lbs. and is $100. I wish I could find a cheaper option.

Now offered Worldwide. Recently there was an inquiry on this set of books from Europe and I was asked to provide a shipping quote. Price options were checked for the three major carriers USPS, Fedex, and UPS. USPS was by far the cheapest. Both online and counter options through USPS were explored, looking for the cheapest option. USPS offers a “first class mail” option but unfortunately it has a weight restriction of 4 lbs. The only option is USPS priority mail due to the weight (42 lbs/105 kgs). The quote for Priority mail insured to Germany was $150 ($149.70). I presume these newsletters could be shipped worldwide for approximately the same price. Therefore, I have decided to lift their sale being restricted to CONUS and will now offer them worldwide. I realize the shipping is not cheap however, if you consider what these newsletters cost with a membership to the JSS/US, they are still a bargain even with the added cost of shipping. When these were issued a membership in the JSS/US was $40 ($60 foreign), that included 6 issues of the newsletter. Therefore, at the time each issue cost $6.66. (foreign $10.00 each). These newsletters, including shipping costs, are being sold for approximately $2.14 each. Considering the amount of information contained within these 140 newsletters, $2.14 apiece is still a great bargain.

email sent

2010

Offering a large group of JSS/US newsletters. This lot covers from 1980-2010. *NOTE, typo at the bottom of list should read 2020. There are a few issues missing, please see the following list for complete details. Japanese Sword Society of the United States Newsletters: Box size = 17” x 10” x 12” Weight 42 lbs. This group of books weighs 42 lbs., therefore I will restrict this lot to CONUS only as shipping outside CONUS would be cost prohibitive. Within CONUS shipping via "media mail" will cost approximately $30. $150 plus S/H *** No pm's please. If interested please contact me at: Yakiba.com@gmail.com Like Comment Share

Great story, dreams do come true. Congratulations and thanks for sharing. Ed

Nice. Would love to attend.

Two confirmed cases in Atlanta now. Hope we don't cross paths.

Yep, Chinese fake.

And who would have guessed!

That makes more sense. I wondered what was "wrong" for it to have ended so cheaply. Turns out it ended, but the high bidder wasn't so lucky after all.

This presents a good educational opportunity for all, two things of note: 1. The hada seen on this sword is NOT Ayasugi. It is Itame with Mokume as stated on the papers. 2. Jussi pointed this out, but I would reiterate this sword is papered to "Den" Gassan Chikanori, not directly to him.

Nice site, nicer stuff! WOW!

Yes, interesting. I would like to see that.

Mark, No offense, but this is a textbook example of why new collectors should study more and buy less until they can, at the very least not be fooled by such blatant fakes.

He was a member here, but I don't recall a post in a long time.

So sad to hear, Keith was a young man. I didn't know him well at all, but I was aware he had been dealing with some health issues for a while. Condolences to his family, may he rest in peace.

Fred, I understand your point here, as it is human nature to become upset or defensive when someone makes a negative comment about you or in this case your sword. But no, that kind of talk doesn't make me mad, it is just part of dealing with the public. Probably due to the fact that I have been told that so many times . I have learned to either ignore it or deal with it in a rational manner. Ex: Read the Dotanuki thread, my sword was trashed, bashed and smashed by naysayers. It was gimei, had broken tip, hagire, you name it. In the end, it papered and is now in the possession of an owner who is thrilled with it. He stated: "It’s a very beautiful sword and I don’t understand the previous fuss". When you offer anything to the public, especially in a venue which encourages comments and opinions, there will always be different views. Views which almost certainly will spark debate, argument, and anger. Again, human emotions which can rarely be altered or prevented. It was my intention to point out that negative comments are better ignored or responded to with rationale and/or evidence. I agree that offering your guarantee on the sword passing shinsa should eliminate any hesitancy on the part of potential buyers and perhaps offset the downside of any negative comments. Good luck.

Fred, Food for thought. I have no interest in the sword, but you seem upset and became defensive that potentially negative points have been observed regarding this sword. As this was posted in the “discussion” section, and you admit to seeking comments, then it is open for discussion, observation or opinion, positive and negative without restriction. While it would be beneficial as well as educational, there is no criteria stating that comments related to personal observations must be accompanied by any proof, NBTHK examples or others. You are correct in that none of the comments/discussion are proof of anything, any more than your guarantee, yet that doesn’t make them fictional. They are only comments being discussed by interested, educated collectors. Opposed to trying to limit or control what is being said or discussed, perhaps it would help if you were to provide some NBTHK examples which would support the sword you are selling. This would also be more educational for NMB members. I think there is a real interest in your sword and supporting evidence would benefit you more than an attempt to restrict what others have to say. Again, I have no dog in the fight, and my only goal is to make an objective observation for the good of this thread and the sale of your sword.

Hands down the best way. Miss my study days with both Dean and Dr. Ford. Before he died, we had a regular study group with Dr. Ford. One of those meetings was the last place I saw Paul Goodman before he passed away. Harry Watson used to stop over for the night on the way to Tampa every year.