w.y.chan

What I mean to ask, is it possible to request a copy of a Torokusho of a sword I own from the Agency of Cultural Affairs? I know its probably a long shot but I assume they would have kept the original.

I've seen a copy of aTorokusho card exported on just one sword I bought from Japan. I think the registration card is important for shinsakuto especially ones made by famous smiths because it contains the date of manufacture so any question of authenticity are easily confirmed. I have an early postwar shinsakuto with what I believe to be a hand written Torokusho registration number for Tokyo on an old NBTHK paper. Can I trace the date it was registered?

Horimono is a feature for top Ikkansai school smiths but its rare in WW2. I read somewhere Okimasa's sister was married to a well known carver of Bhuddist statues and when Shigetsugu learnt of this he admitted him as his student. Coincidentally this is the second time I come across similar horimono on a Okimasa war era blade. This one came about 15yrs ago and went for more money

Its not mine

Postwar poverty meant very few swords were ordered. It is estimated Okimasa made only a few dozen legit shinsakuto long swords that was sold commercially.

It was pretty cheap. Its a masterpiece and at that point in 1958 when it was made there were few better sword made by a contemporary smith in my opinion.

Here is an Okimasa just completed its bidding. Special order for Ichiro Kono who was minister of state for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. It was after the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 that Japan economic fortune recovered from wartime deprevation and the sword boom soon followed. Sadly Okimasa's passing in 1960 meant he missed out on the boom by a few years. Had he lived 1-2 years longer he might have been made Ningen Kokuho. Okimasa was a complete artist and his mastery of horimono rivals that of his teacher Shigetsugu. He is considered the "Kiyomaro of Showa". This sword has NBTHK Hozon but seller gurantee to achieve Tokubetsu Hozon. https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/s709480439

Thanks for clearing that up Mike. I just clicked on the link posted by Brian.

So "Yukinaga" was the correct attribution as in the mei not "Sadakazu" as in the write-up?

The "Sadakazu" is signed with a different mei so would not pass a kantei paper unless the mei is removed and then hope. Probably partly explain its low value too but the horimono is superb.

There is also this discovered sword by Yatsutsuna which really look brand new https://Japan-forward.com/precious-sword-discovered-in-ceiling-at-kasuga-taisha-restored/

I heard from my sister whose work colleague collect Japanese swords and discover several hidden coins from the tsuka after purchasing the sword from a dealer. Was told the coins was sold on for several hundred £ each which is a lot of money 35yrs ago.

Its usually deeply rooted in the public sector, folks that devoid of real world pragmatism and logic but fits in well with bureaucratic administration that require certain amount of incompetant to justify its existent. If there is more incompetants there is going to be more meetings. To have more meetings they have to employ more managers. To have more managers they will get more taxpayers money.

Thanks Alex, Looks like code 5a and 5c on the HMRC import of collectors/work of art less than 100yrs old, ie gendaito/shinsakuto and subject to 5% import tax. I don't understand why some jobsworth in UK custom would find it so difficult to process import of such nature. It should be pretty straight forward.

What is the correct code Peter?

The last shinsakuto I imported from Japan was in 2016 and I was charged about 5% tax. Unless things have changed now?

What about shinsakuto art swords that are less than 100yrs old, do they also merit a reduce import tax in the UK?

I have two Peter Nichols medals cabinet I bought from a real auction at a low price. One tall one short. I'm thinking selling the shorter one, it won't be anywhere near the price they sell them for from their website. Sorry for hijacking your thread.

They look like medal cabinet. I have one by Peter Nichols from the UK, they are made from mahogany to prevent discolouration and widely used in museums. I recall Peter saying years ago he made cabinet for Japanese tsubas as a request from collectors This one is not mine but you get the idea

Reminds me of "Romantic Swordsman" in wuxia novel

Sounds like a Roald Dahl story from this 40yrs old TV show https://youtu.be/zxjzGZjPZZQ

The gendaito above was his personal "Gunto" but it might also be presented to him as such. As to why he carried a Shinto blade by Kanenaga during his surrender we never know. Specially made swords by Shigetsugu were pretty expensive during WW2 so maybe the owner don't want to risk it in service or that it was a special gift from a friend.

I saw this many years ago on sale and as soon as I drew attention to it next thing I know it was sold. Anyway "Yamashita's treasure" is comming to the History Channel and for those who missed or forgotten about his gendaito http://www.e-sword.jp/sale/2013/1310_1080syousai.htm

Still 3 days to go yet for end of auction

That is good news modern smiths recieving TH now as a matter of standard rather than because of reputation as a LNT. Regarding this Sadayoshi have to say it is not his best work, also from 1972 he is not at his peak and the general workmanship from that era from all smiths were not as high as those made in the late 70s onwards. Also note that Aoi consider it is "Jo Jo saku" work for that particular smith so what would that say about a "Saijo Saku" example? A Juyo Token?