Eric Santucci

Update: I just confirmed directly with the dealer on the price and it is definitely not 695,000 JPY. I don't feel comfortable listing the quoted price, but think of a number that is a multiple of 695,000 JPY...and then add some additional Yen to that. I wonder why the 695,000 JPY price was listed in the bank rate section? Clearly other items have their price referenced in that section too as pointed out by others. Interesting there is a discrepancy...

Interesting, I see what you are saying. It is strange they would request that someone contacts them for pricing, but then indirectly lists the price in the loan detail section referenced against the percentage.

Hi, The section referencing the 695,000 JPY mentions a bank loan fee among other payment methods and is not the asking price. You need to contact the dealer directly to request the price in this case - if you look at the section referencing the actual price, it says to please consult them (by email or phone). Very interesting piece and thanks for posting it!

PM sent.

I think if anyone is on the fence about the Sadakatsu, you should contact Ed and discuss with him. Perhaps he can nudge the owner a bit more on an already exceptional well priced piece. The sale is, after all, only until 12/31.

I know on good authority that the Sadakatsu that Ed has posted is an incredible blade. Definitely one of the best I have seen in my entire time collecting Sadakatsu pieces and I have no doubt it would achieve TH. Sadakatsu's work is always impressive, but there is an incredible elegance with this sword that sets it apart from other works of his I have seen (and I have seen a lot of his work). And, Ed's pictures are incredible (always incredible magnified detail), but he is correct in saying that in person this sword is infinitely more impressive. When you hold it and see the substance and the way the lines come together as well as the beauty in the elegant sugata and distinct hada, you will be impressed even if you are not a lover of gendaito.

I've recently experienced this same dilemma a few years ago when my twins were born. If you think one is tough, try having two at the same time. You will quickly understand what zombies feel like because you will never get to sleep again, walk around in a stupefied state all day, and you will always be hungry because you will never have time to eat. But all kidding aside, kids are awesome and many of the things I *thought* I needed or enjoyed quickly fell by the way side in favor of them. They do amazing things, say amazing things, and it is so incredible to watch them grow and experience the world as new people. You will also learn a great deal of patience and you will become educated in subjects you never thought possible before from art, science, politics, etc. Their presence changes your entire world view. I elected to sell off a majority of my collection when the kids arrived and kept the items that I really felt had special value to me. I'm still selling items actually as it is a slow process to catalogue and get everything out the door. I have since acquired additional items that evoked a connection with me though as well, so I think I have become quite specialized and it allowed me to see my enthusiasm and collecting in a new directed light. Good luck and congratulations to you!

Thanks Bob, my pleasure! Glad the book arrived quickly and you are enjoying it. Best, Eric

Everything is now sold with the exception of Book 1 (Sano Museum Bizen book). Last call on that one before I pull it and exile to Ebay for a higher price. Thanks, Eric

Yes, that is correct - Sano Museum exhibit book. This book normally sells for around $125 - $165.

Book 3 now sold to Bob. 6 is on hold, with one other person waiting in line. #1 still available surprisingly. I thought that one would sell first. Any takers at a discount of $85 (+shipping/insurance) before I exile it to EBay?

Koshirae book sold to Barrie, thanks.

Book 2 on hold for Barrie. Magazines on hold for Steven M.

If any interest, please PM me; otherwise I am going to post these on Ebay later this week for inflated and ridiculous prices (which means they will probably sell!).

I received both of my copies from Amazon Japan last night. Considering how fast it arrived at my place and what I paid for shipping (not to mention it arrived one day ahead of schedule), I would call it quite a good deal. I will likely place one up for sale in the For Sale section in a few days in case anyone is interested. (Note: I will be selling it at the book's list price + shipping/insurance to your location. I just bought the second copy so that someone can easily get one without any of the complications that some of us dealt with the first time around). Cheers, Eric

Pics of the Nihonto no Koshirae book for those that are interested.

Sesko books sold. Donation coming to Markus shortly. Item 6 is off hold.

Thanks for all of the interest in these books. Items 4, 5, and 6 are on hold right now. Items 1, 2, and 3 still available.

Greetings, I'm making room in my reference library and have some discounted books for sale. All books are from a smoke free environment with condition as noted below. I will provide a small donation to NMB upon successful sale of all books. In addition, upon sale of the two Markus Sesko books, I will provide a small donation to his sword reference projects as well. I respectfully request that folks do not ask me for further discounts on these even if you want to buy multiple books. Please understand that prices are far below retail value and what I paid for them originally (besides the fact I am giving our donations as well). PayPal payment preferred on these, but I will accept personal checks too drawn on US funds. If paying by check, your payment must clear before the book is shipped. PM me with inquiries - thank you. 1. Flower Blossom on the Japanese Sword: Bizen Ichimonji Tradition. 2007-2008 fine bound cloth exhibition book with slipcase. Book is in excellent condition as if never opened. Slipcase has a few corner bumps, but nothing terrible. Overall, a beautiful exemplar at a low price. $95 USD +shipping, insurance to your destination 2. Nihonto no Koshirae. Koshirae by Kazuyuki Takayama with slipcase. 56 full color plates of his top quality work with descriptions in Japanese + an additional 10 pages of black and white pics showing his process of making the wood core for the tsuka and saya. The book measures 9 X 12 inches. The wax paper dust jacket is very crinkled, but the book is in otherwise Very Good condition with a just a few corner abrasions. Slipcase is in Very Good condition as well with no issues. I don't see this book for sale often and it is usually priced a bit high. One of my favorite koshirae reference books for quite some time. $100 USD +shipping, insurance to your destination 3. Japanese Swords & Sword Fittings from the Collection of Walter A. Compton Part 1 (31 Mar. 1992) 429 Pages, soft cover with dust jacket. Condition is Good - Fair. Cover and dust jacket torn about 1.5 inches at the top left. Corners bent on top right of front and back cover. Back of cover at top is creased a bit. Spine is broken as previous owner cracked it to lay flat on a desk without properly breaking in the book first. However, inner contents are all there and look great, which is the most important part. Overall a nice example for the priced. $85 USD + shipping, insurance to your destination 4. Shinto and Shinshinto Zenshu, by Markus Sesko Hardcover, 716 pages and heavy. I've moved to e-versions of Markus' books, so here is your chance to get a discounted hard copy. Condition is Very Good - some minor wear to outside cover, which were defects as received in the book from Lulu. Interior content is perfect. Great reference book! Current Lulu price: $169 USD My Price: $85 USD + shipping, insurance to your destination SOLD 5. Koto-kantei Zenshu, by Markus Sesko hardcover, 772 pages and heavy. Condition is Very Good - some minor wear to outside cover as received from Lulu. Interior content is perfect. Another great reference book! Current Lulu price: $169 USD My Price: $85 USD + shipping, insurance to your destination SOLD 6. Assorted nihonto and kodugo reference magazines (see attached pic). There are all older from the late 70's and early 80's, but have great pictures and content. In all there are 54 soft cover magazines in black and white with color front and back covers of items. $25 USD for the lot, which is less than 50 cents per issue. +shipping, insurance to your destination 1977, 1978, 1979: 12 issues per year (so 36 issues total) 1980: issues 1-5, 8-11 1981: issues 2,3, 5, and 6 1985: issue 6 Issues 5,6,7 and 8 of different publication Total issues: 54 Again, please PM me with inquiries - thanks.

I highly recommend going the route of Amazon Japan. It is very easy to create a profile on Amazon Japan as they have an English translation page. If you have an existing US-based Amazon account, you do need to create a whole new account using a different email address though; otherwise your US profile will get messed up. Anyway, I placed my order a few days ago and it is scheduled for delivery already by Tues next week. For the cost of 2 copies and shipping it came to $113 USD, which was basically what cdjapan was going to charge me for 1 book via EMS. I should have gone this route to begin with and not used cdjapan. The one positive thing I have to say is that cdjapan refunded me very quickly when I requested a cancellation to my order.

I just got the same notice from cdjapan as well - this was very surprising. Typically when a book is preordered the price and shipping are guaranteed. Very disappointing. Edit to add: I cancelled my order with cdjapan just now. I think any company that does something like this is ridiculous. I was able to create a new account on Amazon Japan and ordered two copies of the book for roughly the price that cdjapan was charging with EMS shipping.

Joe, I recommend using USPS International Express (caution: not the Global Express Guaranteed, which eventually gets delivered by FedEx in Japan and messes things up with customs). From experience, I've shipped USPS International Express on several occasions to Japan now with absolutely no issues at all. When considering insurance, I recommend you insure the sword via a private policy such as Fine Arts or similar thru your insurance company as opposed to the shipping company. Several companies offer their version of Fine Arts policies and are typically quite easy to set up if you have a pre-established relationship with them for car insurance, home owner's policy, etc. Feel free to PM me if you have further questions.

Impressive idea Markus, I am all for the website reference. I think a book/ebook would be a nice companion for folks as well for a quick look-up reference while researching on the go at a show or something similar. I still owe you pics of my Nagamitsu; apologies for the delay. I also have a few other swords you may find of interest as well and will send those soon. Best, Eric

Greetings, I'm trying to gain access to the Zheng Zong Knife/Sword Forum and was wondering if anyone has access to check some information for me. http://www.zhengzong.cn/ I was able to make it thru most of the registration process, but one of the steps requires entry of some kanji that appear in an image file format. I am unable to reproduce those kanji on the screen to get access. I tried transferring the image to text, but cannot acquire the graphic and therefore cannot gain access. Someone able to read/enter Japanese kanji would likely have no issue gaining access though and it would take them a few mins. Anyway, there is a specific thread and sword pictured from 2012 that I am keenly interested in viewing. It is not an item for sale; it is informational only. If anyone can assist, can you please PM? Thank you!

Just ordered a copy last night from cdjapan site - very easy process. They accept PayPal and the whole transaction took less than 2 mins. You can choose a shipping speed and therefore control the price of shipping as well.