Katsujinken

Okay, an update, and thankfully it should be the last one. UPS just notified me that the package was officially cleared by USFWS this morning (and I have the paperwork to prove it). @Brian I did find those other threads, thank you for sharing them, and thanks to all who have contributed to this topic over the years. And now hopefully I can add this insight to the mix. The amended invoice I submitted contained the following information re: the samegawa: Handle is wrapped in stingray skin (shagreen). Genus: Dasyatis Species: Dasyatis pastinaca Source: U; (This item is approximately 36 years old.) <-- ['U' is the USFWS code for 'unknown', which is most likely what will apply for shipments like ours because there's no way to know how the animal was obtained.] Country of origin: Japan This is the invoice that the USFWS used to clear the package and the genus/species they noted on the clearance form. It was truthful to the best of my ability. That said, after more research I now believe the actual species may be Dasyatis akajei. Everyone should note that this particular species is currently listed 'near threatened,' which is something to keep an eye on in the future. If that status changes for the worse, it could become impossible to import modern samegawa, and difficult/risky to import antique samegawa. All of this is of course only in reference to the USA. Thanks all for your help.

Apparently I didn’t get lucky and the blade is still in fact with customs, despite what the tracking information says. I had to submit an updated invoice today noting the genus/species of the ray skin and some other information. Given that this is information no one could possibly know I did the best I could and will hope for the best. Assuming they’re just checking against a list of endangered species there should be no issue. The UPS agent did not seem concerned, but I can’t help but be nervous. I haven’t contacted the shop yet (Touken Komachi), but if it doesn’t clear tomorrow I’ll have to let them know I’m in a pickle because they didn’t properly declare the contents of the package. Perhaps I should have been more hands on but I figured this shop ships internationally all the time. I’m happy to have any advice.

This is a shinsakuto, so not an antique. I did have to pay import charges as soon as it cleared customs. Here’s a screenshot from the tracking that shows the need for a tax ID #. Could be new, might be a UPS idiosyncrasy, but it’s definitely real and is triggered by the declared value.

100% this. I did end up finding a shinsakuto in the end. It’s in iai koshirae with a batto polish. Totally setup for martial arts use, from the beginning. Guess some of us will just have to agree to disagree. That’s okay.

Not sure if it’s new, but because the package was valued at over $2500 (or somewhere close to that) UPS had to collect a tax ID number as part of their brokerage process. For an individual that’s the SSN. I initiated contact with UPS myself and saw the package status change after I provided the information. I was surprised too, but I don’t import that often.

Kelly Schmidt is great!

Actually, it just cleared customs! Guess I got lucky.

What can / should I do at this point? Just wait and see what happens? This is a modern koshirae, but probably a 30-40 years old I would guess.

I've got a sword coming over from Japan that is with US Customs now. I had to provide my social as usual, and UPS says Fish & Wildlife are 'taking a look' because of the stingray/same on the tsuka. I shouldn't expect any problems here, right? Anyone had a sword come in via UPS before? Thanks!

Actually most folks on this board are financially in your "bracket", Adam! 🙂 However, you will find a preference for quality over quantity because quality is ultimately more instructive over time (especially when coupled with books and trips to Japan, where you are likely to see a lot more good swords).

Just to be clear, 'saku' is not part of the smith's name. It essentially means 'made this.' Ted Tenold (http://www.legacyswords.com/) is another polisher who is 100% legitimate and does great work. Do you know how to properly care for the blade in the meantime? If not here is a good primer: http://nbthk-ab.org/cleaning-maintenance.php Ignore anything about uchiko – you don't need it and shouldn't use it. Good luck!

I agree with your sensei. Put it in for Hozon after the togishi is done, if you want. Being a local it seems like a no brainer to me. Interesting piece!

Truthfully I don't see it as a debate in the first place if everyone understands the semantics the same way. Your idea is totally valid. It really is a personal choice that is based on priorities, budget, and many other factors. I would never use an antique nihonto for martial arts. A shinsakuto made specifically for that purpose however is simply another tool. As I and others have said, plenty of shinsakuto exist or are commissioned specifically for martial arts use. For example, this sword was likely made with martial arts in mind: https://www.toukenkomachi.com/index_en_tachi&katana_A030720.html It's in a 'batto polish,' iai koshirae (no shirasaya), and has ubu-ba. And with a quick search you can find art swords made by Ogawa Kanekuni that were never meant to be used. This daisho that Joe posted definitely was not made for martial arts use: http://sanmei.com/contents/media/A58786-7_S2229_PUP_E.html?fbclid=IwAR3sIBjfH4045wDc7niYzgdwkTW2EaOWYfbDk-HN4gaYe59_9Wq-f5EoB6M And here is a sword made by the same smith who made the daisho that absolutely was intended to be used: http://www.osaka-ryujindo.jp/Table/Page/201404/23154330/index.html?fbclid=IwAR0dMO18FuKkZF3QAoBwllwFMrvxMrHb9nr8vg0CquOdf_hZGGvJxgn8LA8

I'll drop this to $1900 with free shipping worldwide until Monday. Have a good weekend!

Greg, there’s a huge difference between historical / art sword nihonto and everyday shinsakuto made for actual use. What do you think everyone in Japan uses? There are gradations of quality in materials, workmanship, and finishing, all of which create a spectrum from tool to heirloom. I agree nihonto should be preserved, but there’s also nuance in there that should be acknowledged. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Price drop to $2000. Thanks for looking!

Hi Grant, sent you a PM.

That’s a longer conversation, but suffice it to say that many swords are made to be used and the line between training tool and art is clear if you know where to look. Chinese and other production swords are simply not the same for a variety of reasons – especially in terms of feel – and it really does impact the training.

I am looking for a shinsakuto in koshirae suitable for batto. I am especially interested in blades made by either Ikeda Norihisa (池田法久) or Fujiwara Motohisa (藤原元久). Nagasa needs to be 2.3 or 2.35 shaku (69-72 cm, give or take). Please get in touch if you’ve got something I should see. Thanks!

Nice work. The right way to begin. How long is the blade (cutting edge / nagasa)? I believe smiths generally had to get permission to engrave the kikumon on their nakago (it's the imperial chrysanthemum after all), and so it was an honor to be able to do so. Welcome, Jason!

Oh, and here is a gimei Nobuie (likely later myochin) I have that fits the bill.

FWIW, I received a tsuba from Japan today via FedEx, and the declaration was: "Antique Metal Ornament(s). Over 100 years old." Declared value was relatively low.

Thank you all so much for your help. I love that they compare the shape of the tsuba to a Go piece.

Yes, 1992 is correct I believe. I think this could work on a katana as well, though certainly it'd be on the smaller side. I keep an eye on this seller because every once in awhile you can get a papered tsuba of good quality (but nothing important) for less than $400. Outside of Japan that strikes me as a good deal for a tsuba I like with Hozon papers.

Thanks Piers! I’ll do some research on the later work of the school with this information. I was under the impression that later work was usually done in soft metals, but I’ll see what I can learn.