Michael_JP

Hi Jim, Thanks. Will make contact with them as you suggested, appreciate the offer of further support. Still have a few months here in Japan but will connect with them soon. Regards, Michael S

Thanks for the link and information. Michael S

Thanks for providing the link. Yes, I am shipping to Victoria, Melbourne. It will be shipped with all of my goods, furniture, clothes, etc., not sure if that will make it better or worse. The moving companies I am getting quotes from are aware I will shipping a Nihonto and at least have some familiarity with what needs to be done. Michael S

Hoping that some of the Australian members can provide some advice. Will be moving back home to Australia late this year after 4+ years in Japan and have 1 Nihonto to ship with all my goods. It is correctly registered here in Japan, and I know it has to be unregistered before I leave. Not sure what is required regarding paperwork etc. for bringing it into Australia and once I get there. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks. Regards, Michael S

Also thank you to Paul Martin for reaching out with the necessary tax & application documents. Much appreciated. Michael S

Thank you Kunitaro for the additional advice. Regards, Michael S

Happy to contribute. Regards, Michael S

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I do live in Tokyo. Recognize the Paul Martin name, am connected on FB to The Japanese Sword. Can be contacted via PM and then email if necessary. Regards, Michael S

I recently purchased a nihonto from a well established NMB member in the US and had it shipped to Japan where I live. Have received a notice from Japan Customs do complete some paperwork to complete the delivery. Do any members who also live here in Japan have any advice, anything I should know or be aware of? My partner is Japanese so can assist with communication etc. Thanks. Regards, Michael S

Not sure of the impact as Tokyo generally has a shortage of hotel rooms in any case, but the DTI dates of 11/18 ~ 20 coincide with a major manufacturing trade show, JIMTOF, held at Tokyo Big Sight on Odaiba, 11/17 ~ 22. Maybe not well known outside of manufacturing & specifically the machine tool industry, but my company participates, in fact I have to be there all 6 days which will make the DTI hard get to. And it is a large exhibition in terms of attendance, so it may affect hotels. It is delayed 3 weeks from previous years due to Big Sight renovations, usually held end of October to early November. Regards, Michael S

The tsuba I purchased arrived this week as arranged. Would second Joe`s comments above. Michael

I have contacted Nick to buy this piece, just confirming shipping etc. Couldn't resist it either. Sorry. Michael S

Hi Nick, Sent you a PM re. #4. Michael S

I was able to find the book `Tsuba Craftsmen from Owari and Mikawa Province` at Grey Doffin`s website with the translation. Arrived yesterday so I have some reading ahead. Thanks to Grey for his fast responses to my questions & getting me the book so quickly. It was a pleasure to deal with Grey. Regards, Michael

Hi Alan, Alas my language skills are not as good as they should be. Will see if I can get hold of the English translation. Would like to meet up in November. Please keep in touch. I enjoy a drink and would like to meet some established collectors & enthusiasts. Regards, Michael

Thanks for the additional information. I have a day off later next week and will be taking a look at a few of these places. Plan to start with Ginza Choshuya to get a first hand look and go from there.

Thank you for all the replies. Very helpful & much appreciated. A visit to Ginza Choshuya, Seikodo, Finesword & Aoi will be planned soon. Next week if possible. I had come across www.shibuiswords.com, some very good information, glad to know it is considered as a good reference. The book references are also appreciated. Will look into getting these. And thanks for the tip on the sales page of this board, will keep an eye on it. Looking forward to visiting the various shops and seeing some pieces first hand. And starting the collection. Regards, Michael

Hello To All, I came across this forum while doing some on-line research into starting a tsuba collection. The information available here and the variety of topics has been very helpful so far. Hopefully I can contribute at some point in the future. Currently I live in Japan, Tokyo, originally from Australia. My interest in tsuba has developed after taking up Iaido 2 years ago. While I still need to do a lot more research I have started to focus on Owari tsuba. Plan is to work on a modest but collection over time, but with some reasonable quality pieces. I am prepared to spend up to US$1,000 on a single tsuba. As a novice I would prefer to start by buying from reputable dealers directly rather than taking chances at antique markets or on-line. And plan to be wary of eBay etc. unless the seller is well trusted on this forum. Hopefully over time I can develop a better sense of the major schools etc. and be able to venture into buying at markets here in Japan etc. On some forum topics here I have seen that Ginza Choshuya & Ginza Seikodo have been listed as reputable shops. Noticed some hesitation for Aoi Japan. Would appreciate if anyone can let me know if the above is still correct, and recommend any other reputable antique dealers in Tokyo that deal in tsuba. Thank you. Regards, Michael S.