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. 

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!

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