I would first like to thank everyone for their detailed responses. I have been able to look up a number of these smiths to review their work.
Pete,
Thanks for your response and if you have a list of the highest ranked schools please let me know. Also, I agree with following statements that you made...
“I assume that New NMB Member Ken opened it with sincere curiosity. Likewise, our friends who researched their books and reported the judgements presented by their preferred Japanese authorities, gave Ken - and the rest of us - some respectable - grist.”.
“I also think it is all right for experienced collectors to share their personal judgements of who is "good".”.
“Use these lists to figure out what SORTS of things sword afficianados go for. What variables are approved.
While doing that you will gain skills in recognizing flaws and just plane unskilled production. That is the process that builds the ability to see and appreciate "good" stuff.".
This is in a nutshell why I ask for a list… For studying purposes.
I did also however want a list of high ranking smiths as I have spent considerable time reading archived posts and sale listings on here (as well as other sites) and it does seem to be important to the collector base. A smiths Fujishiro, Toko Taikan or Hawley rating is often listed or discussed. It also was mentioned more than once that some sword consumers are brand conscious. IMHOP it seems that it isn’t “all hooey!” as everyone often talks about it! And therefore I would like to understand it before making purchases. I understand that overall sword quality is probably the largest driving price factor but most beloved is when that’s paired with a high Fujishiro rating.
If I may get lost in the (philosophical) weeds for a second here… I believe you are correct that in absolute reality, Fujishiro, Toko Taikan, Hawley, or Joe Blow (not SwordGuyJoe ????) do not matter in the least. Nor does the debate of Joey Heatherton vs Cheryl Tiegs but in everyday life of saving accounts, retirement funds, collage loans, mortgages and the like, it does matter…. I have to know because it may contribute to knowing what my downside risk on investment is. What kind of risk or loss I’m I going to sustain or willing to sustain just because I like it? I can decide that I want to frame-off restore a Pinto and have it painted bright orange because I like it. A full restoration would probably cost around $75K to $100K. The actual going rate for this car is probably going to be way less than half that amount. That’s a big loss just because I like it! My point using your example is, that (in everyday life and financially speaking) Joey Heatherton is prettier than Cheryl Tiegs not because I say so but because a majority of people say so. This may or may not change what I personally like, buy or feel but (IMHOP) to ignore it could be costly.
Ken