Japan auctions

My apologies, Robert, the seller was on business trip~ Will post more shortly. Kelly

Sold! Thanks to all who inquired. Kelly Schmidt Japanese Antique Auctions

Hi Friends! Time for another special offer from Irokawa-San (aka Kanagawa_kottou on Yahoo auctions). We've sold 3 Juyou blades together already this year, and I am honoured that he asks me to offer this very special First Generation Nobukuni to you at a very attractive price. 初代信国の重要刀剣短刀 First Generation Nobukuni Juyou Tantou!! Heisei 7(1995) Dai 21 Juyou Token. As you know, there are a number of Nobukuni from Nanbokucho thru Muromachi, but of course Shodai 初代 is top rank. Now, in Tokyo, Muromachi era Nobukuni wakizashis are going for up to 7 million yen - and actually, tantos are going beyond that. Nagasa 29.3cm. Some info on Wiki (sorry, Japanese only...) 初代信国→https://ja.wikipedia.org/ wiki/%E4%BF%A1%E5%9B%BD_(%E5%8 8%9D%E4%BB%A3) More pics and information available. Serious inquiries only. PM me, please. 3,200,000 yen. (does not include shipping, export fees, insure, bank transfer fees. No Paypal, bank transfer only, please.) Thanks, Kelly Schmidt Japanese Antique Auctions Disclaimer: As an auction broker, I am acting on your behalf only to buy an item. I will offer my opinion when asked, but I am NOT an expert. My explanations are translations of the seller’s assertions, not recommendations to buy. It is the buyer’s responsibility to judge quality and authenticity. Auctions in Japan are no claim/no return. Please note that even when a seller blatantly misrepresents, there is no guarantee that your money can be recovered. Yahoo Auctions has no buyer protection plan nor any dispute system. Further, payments are made by bank transfer or post office account, so after the money is transferred, it is in the seller’s possession. Police do not generally get involved in personal business transactions. So see all pictures, ask all questions and understand the risks BEFORE bidding. Where there are certification papers, the buyer is responsible for understanding the nature, meaning and reliability of each kind of paper. The buyer is responsible to check his country’s import and airline cargo restrictions before bidding. Further, there is always the possibility that an item cannot be exported from Japan (example: Ministry of Culture or Japan Customs denies export). As a broker, I can take no responsibility for these impediments, and as such, my fees and my exporter’s fees will not be refunded. The item will have to be resold in Japan, and additional fees paid for reselling before the remainder is refunded to you. I reserve the right NOT to bid on any item, solely on my own judgement, for whatever reason I deem fit. I export by legal means only. Please do NOT ask me to export without legal permit (where required) or for labeling such as “replica, decoration, fake”, etc. This is illegal and could result in confiscation of your item, and loss of my license… or worse. Some other services flout this law. I do not. Let’s keep in mind that the law was made to protect the Japanese history that we so love! I take no responsibility whatsoever for the loss or damage of your item by delivery agents, shipping companies and exporters.

Rather a lot to show, haha. Perhaps better if I attach all to a regular mail. Thanks! Kelly

Thanks, Brian. First try at uploading pics~

Thanks for the heads up, Stephen. Can you click on the pics and then expand? If not, anyone considering can PM me with their email address and I will attach to a mail. Sorry, I'm somewhat technically-challenged... Haha~ Kelly

Hi Guido, Have PMed you! Antti, more pics attached!

Here, my friends, is a deal which was long in the making. As you know, much respected Yahoo seller kanagawa_kottou Irokawa-San sells the finest quality. This is the treasured possession of his grandfather's good friend who is aging, and, after much consideration, has decided with great reluctance to part with it. The owner wants to find the just the right home for it, so he will not offer it on auction or elsewhere. I offer it on his behalf, to someone who with treat it with utmost care and respect. 時代・・・江戸時代中期(約330年前) Mid Edo, about 330 years old. Very good condition. Juyou certificate Heisei 4 (1992) October 30. 刃長さ・・・69.75ｃｍ Nagasa 反り・・・1.4ｃｍ Sori 元幅・・・3.25ｃｍ Motohaba 先幅・・・2.25ｃｍ Sakihaba 金額・・・350万円 Seller's Price: 3,500,000 yen (to which my fee, export fees, and bank transfer fees will be added. No Paypal.) Koshirae also Edo, and of considerable value by itself. Owner bought it for 6,500,000 yen many years ago, and was offered 5,000,000 yen recently, but turned it down. It would seem that price is not the only consideration here. It is more important to find the right person to take this blade into the future, so, to that person, we offer at 3,500,000 yen. (This is a substantial discount, so no further negotiation, please). Please see the attached photos and consider at your leisure. Kelly Schmidt (my usual disclaimer applies. Please see my mail outs or inquire)

That's a beauty. Haha!

I was salivating over this, myself. A pretty penny, to be sure. Repatriated from US Compton Collection. Showa 37 (1962) older Tokubetsu Kicho certificate... Seller Kimura-San one of my favs. Kelly Schmidt

Mmm... true, not so easy to isolate... Here is a link for 古銅 (bronze) okimono, kabin vase), zou (statute) under antiques: https://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/search/search?va=%E5%8F%A4%E9%8A%85&vo=%E8%8A%B1%E7%93%B6+%E7%BD%AE%E7%89%A9+%E5%83%8F%E3%80%80%E3%83%96%E3%83%AD%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BA&ve=&ngrm=2&fixed=0&auccat=20000&aucminprice=6000&aucmaxprice=&aucmin_bidorbuy_price=&aucmax_bidorbuy_price=&l0=0&abatch=0&istatus=0&gift_icon=0&charity=&ei=UTF-8&tab_ex=commerce&slider=0&f_adv=1&fr=auc_adv&f=0x4 And another for various metals simply under antiques. Quite a mixed bag, sorry, but hard to cut out the junk without losing a lot... https://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/search/search?va=&vo=%E3%83%96%E3%83%AD%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BA%E3%80%80%E5%8F%A4%E9%8A%85%E3%80%80%E9%87%91%E3%80%80%E8%83%B4%E3%80%80%E9%8A%80%E3%80%80%E9%87%91%E5%B1%9E%E3%80%80&ve=&ngrm=0&fixed=0&auccat=20000&aucminprice=6000&aucmaxprice=&aucmin_bidorbuy_price=&aucmax_bidorbuy_price=&l0=0&abatch=0&istatus=0&gift_icon=0&charity=&ei=UTF-8&tab_ex=commerce&slider=0&f_adv=1&fr=auc_adv&f=0x2

Wow. Oh, I am so thrilled to hear this, Ben. As you know, I also was quite taken with this piece, and as I repacked it, I was sorely tempted to keep it for myself! Haha! But now, hearing your special childhood memories, I know it will be cherished and that it has found its rightful home. Thanks also to John A. Stuart for the explanation of the difference between hawks and falcons. I had often wondered, as there are many samurai clan kamon crests using the feathers, and as the martial connotation is strong. Just a note to all members, although there are sales taxes (8%, sometimes broken out separately in brackets on the auction page) there is no export tax. All antiques over 200,000 yen in value must simply be checked to ensure cultural treasures are not being exported. The process takes a few weeks at the Japan Ministry of Culture, and I've never been denied, so I think largely a formality for auction items. Enjoy, Ben! Kelly Schmidt Japanese Antique Auctions on NOW!

It has always been my understanding that Japan Ministry of Culture export permission is required for all antique items over 200,000 yen, and ALL nihonto (regardless of value) over 15cm of length (ie. all those which have a police tourokusho which must be cancelled due to the blade being exported.) I have sometimes even had trouble getting kozuka and small yari spears out through Japan Customs, even though they were under 15cm and had no tourokusho... Essentially, the purpose of the export permit is to tell the police that the blade has left the country and therefore can be deregistered, and also to tell the Japan Customs staff - who have no experience nor authority in judging - that the blade can go out and is not a national treasure. Japan Customs people call me regularly, anytime something looks iffy, and let me tell you, these people are not risk takers. They follow the rules to a T. One more point. The Japan Ministry of Culture does NOT charge 6000 yen for export permission. They have no fees. Kelly Schmidt Japan Antique Auctions

Thank you as always, Gentlemen. Yes, I've occasionally been contacted by people who had bought blades through Jaunce or other automated services by disabling the blocking. Then they were told to find someone in Japan to export it for them or the blade would be thrown away! Going forward, I can imagine that the automated services may start offering to export blades for a fee. But then they don't know how to handle blades, nor about the impediments which may exist on your side - which may change without notice due to changes in airline terror policies, or the nation's laws. My blade exporter here in Japan tries to stay on top of these changes and to date we have never yet failed to export a blade. We failed only once - in exporting a gun to the US. We got the export permit successfully from the Ministry of Culture... but then Japan Customs told us that it was illegal to export a working gun. To the US!! You can't export a gun to the US?!! Hahahaha!!!! Hope I can be of service. kschmidt1127@gmail.com Yoroshiku onegai shimasu. Kelly Schmidt Japan Antique Auctions

Hi Friends, A few of the points made by Aoi I am checking with them as well as with my blade exporter. In my experience, sending blades directly to US, UK, France, and Germany has been no problem. However, Canada has required sending to a middleman in the US first, and many European countries (Belgium, Italy, Russia, Hungary, etc.) require a stopover in the UK. The PO system in South Africa and be problematic, so we were surprised that Brian's blade went through smoothly (congrats, Brian!) My blade exporter has had problems with certain areas in Australia, saying that only NSW (Sydney) and Queensland can accept, due to differences in territorial laws. Keep in mind that both Customs laws and airline policies can change quickly, for example, due to terrorism threats. They are not carved in stone. The only countries with no import tax, to my knowledge, are the US and Hong Kong. Aoi will only export blades you buy through them. They will not act as a proxy for blades you find elsewhere, such as Yahoo Auctions, Buyee, etc. I noticed Aoi also has matchlocks on their site, so I asked about them. They said they could export, for example, to the US. However I tried to export one to USA last year, and received Japan Ministry Of Culture export permit, but when it reached the airport, Japan Customs said it was illegal to export working guns from Japan. Haha... imagine that, illegal to export a gun to the US!! They answered, " in any case exporting matchlock is much complicated than swords. sometimes it takes many procedures and time." If you have any questions about blade export, I will be happy to be of service. Kelly Schmidt Japanese Auctions

Cheers, Stephen. Glad to be of service. Hey, love your profile picture. lol If not for the mountain in the way, I'd have almost that same view from my window. Kelly

Thank you as always, Brian, for your hard work and kindness. Kelly

Ah... I forgot to mention... Most of my customers, who are familiar with and passionate about armor and nihonto, search themselves and so receive a reduced fee of 15%. There is a lot more work involved than most realise and I also offer a lot of services which other services do not, most at no extra charge. Kelly Schmidt

I wil be happy to negotiate, as I always have, on a piece by piece basis, directly with my customers. Of course, the commission will depend upon, among other things, the value of the item. Longer term storage is also possible depending upon the size and nature of the items and the length of time. I would be happy to read the details about the new service; however, I do not have access to the Samurai Armour Forum... By the way, regarding teppo, I recently applied for an export permit with the Ministry of Culture and it was granted. However, upon sending, Japan Customs blocked it, stating that export of any operating firearm is illegal. They said it must be certified non-operable. I had to resell the teppo in Japan. Please do be careful, and confirm with Japan Customs before buying teppo! Kelly Schmidt

Japanese Antique Auctions How would you like to have your own buying agent, boots on the ground, in Japan? Many of you on NMB already use my service, but allow me to introduce myself again, as I have not checked into NMB for quite some time - I've been busy!! lI ive a few minutes from World Heritage Himeji Castle, about 30 minutes west of Osaka, Japan. For the last 10 of my 26 years here, I’ve been buying and exporting Japanese antiques (samurai in particular) for my customers all over the world. Yes... I do nihonto also! I’m not an expert, but I’ve laid my hands on many fine pieces and have learned much from my many sellers and of course from you, my excellent customers. If I may be of service to you, please learn more about my service in the “about” section of my Facebook page, and contact me there. https://www.facebook.com/Japanese.antique.auctions/ Ask to be on my direct mailing list! Just tell me your full name, country and email address and I’ll add you! Yoroshiku Onegai shimasu. Kelly Schmidt (Mr.)

Hi everybody. I haven't been here for quite a while, so I thought I should check in. 'Hope I'm posting appropriately... (my apologies, Brian, if I err.) I've had quite a lot of interest from Nihonto Forum members, so I wish to express my appreciation and also introduce myself once again to members who are wanting to buy blades from Japan. Next month marks my 25th year in this incredible Castle City of Himeji, Japan. I've been selling samurai and general antiques here for about 10 years. I am also into blade export, and although there have recently been a few obstacles with the airlines, my sellers and exporters have been able to get all blades successfully to their buyers. A few details: I can buy blades and all manner of blade related items for you on Yahoo Auctions… and Winners. Some sellers will export blades with no fee, but most sellers do not export at all, so if this is the case, I have a blade specialist who will handle the export process. Standard fee to nearly all countries is 25000yen. This includes legal paperwork, secure packing, track& trace shipping and insurance. Other buying services such as Buyee will NOT export blades for you – even after you buy the item! They keep your money and say you must discard the item!!! Contact me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Japanese.antique.auctions Btw, World Heritage Site Himeji Castle - a few minutes from my house - just reopened after a 5 year major restoration. We celebrated with cherry blossoms and not a little sake! Check it out and by all means come and visit! http://www.Japan-guide.com/e/e3501.html Cheers, Kelly Schmidt

And I thank you, Brian, for your efforts toward making this a most excellent forum. I shall endeavor. Alas, time is my enemy.

Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu (Happy New Year!) Well, it has been quite a while since I last checked in, but I’ve made some inroads in the blade markets here in Japan recently. How would you like to have your own personal buyer in Japan ? I am an antique dealer selling on eBay as araki0726 (check my excellent feedback!) as well as to an ever growing list of direct mail clients all over the world (many of them Nihonto Message Board members). You can also find me on Facebook: Japanese Antique Auctions: https://www.facebook.com/Japanese.antique.auctions. I am not an authority on blades, but I do specialize in Samurai armor, and I can help you find what you need. Much better selection and less competition! I send out offers twice a week. I’m afraid I do not check in here often, so by all means mail me at schmidt_araki@ybb.ne.jp or through my ebay or Facebook pages. Yoroshiku. Kelly Schmidt