Promo

No feedback at all. If your blade already is in Japan for Polish anyway and if you can afford it, then submit it (shipping over just for Juyo shinsa is something I personally wouldn't consider). Not much additional hassle, just submission fee and time needed, but at least no extra shipping. At worst it failed, at best it gets papers.

Not educated enough to add to the topic, but just to mention general thoughts: if you show the blade in here first and have it discussed (documented for everyone to be read in a public forum too), if the blade then fails, do you want your blade somewhat "documented to have failed Juyo"? Remember that according to our Western standards for some this would mean that the blade isn't good enough and maybe with that knowledge will value the blade at less than what it deserves. If you are 100% certain you'll be keeping the blade anyway (and that this will not change, even if it fails - you may be disappointed of it afterwards and have a hard time to look at it again) and you'd just be keen to know, then I do see less risk with that. Also, think about what you would do if it does fail. Would you want it to stay in Japan for it to be submitted to Juyo again and again? At least there sometimes were claims that submitting an item a few times may result it somewhen to possibly achieve Juyo, but also no warranty with that. Or do you really want it back immediately afterwards? The fact that your thread initially started with a different blade and you then bring up another blade that you may consider submitting may make it appear as if your wish is mainly to have submitted one blade and for it to pass Juyo, to kind of "have this experience". Is this what you want? Also, why would you want to send it over for Juyo? Because you think it is the best for the blade and that the blade is really something very special that should be documented as Juyo? It is easier if a blade already is in Japan, not much to be lost. If you ship it over for Juyo shinsa, then there is more work, time and money involved, with absolutely no guarantee that it will achieve of why you are doing this.

Fully agree with you that it is just the greedy sellers and the market manipulation with these certificates of knowledgeable people. I can sell you a rare Leonardo Da Vinci painting of a duck for just one million pounds. It clearly states Leonardo on bottom left. However, I do not have any certificates because of the greedy sellers and therefore it is much cheaper than usual. Do we have a deal? Or do you prefer to get someone elses opinion on it? Everyone is up to do with his money as he wants to. If you feel confident enough and trust yourself more than someone elses expertise, then do get the stuff without paperwork.

Bringing this thread up again because ... I saw that sword up again for auction. Now the estimate reads as 18-22,000 USD, with a starting bid of 13,000 USD --> https://live.amoskeagauction.com/lot-details/index/catalog/131/lot/97417/Exceptional-Japanese-Mid-19th-Century-Katana-By-Masazane-with-NBTHK-Certificate And to get back to the original auction listing. If I open up the listing for the same sword from the initial auction which was when this thread had been posted, it display the particular blade as unsold. I therefore do not know as to why you claim it to have been sold at 36k. --> https://live.amoskeagauction.com/lot-details/index/catalog/122/lot/85981/Exceptional-Japanese-Mid-19th-Century-Katana-by-Masazane-with-NBTHK-Certificate

I highly doubt they know on how to take them apart .. Well, maybe someone from Australia can help them with description and taking apart plus identification?

While surfing a firearms auction - my main interest - I noticed that starting with lot 165 until lot 177 there are a little bit more than 20 blades in this auction. Maybe of interest to some that otherwise would not search there. I can't tell much about the auction company since I have not dealt with them in the past, nor do I know anyone there (for being from the other side of the world). https://auctions.militarylane.com.au/#!/auctions/d7c99452-dfd4-4454-a76a-8ea06e1f9ebf?ic=90&page=2

That is fully correct and I bet you are right. Jacques, I do believe you have a great knowledge and are a benefit to this forum for participating. It is only sometimes for the wording that you are using that some of them appear snotty, as well as that it seems if you have made up your mind, there is about zero to change that. For ones like me who has - compared to you - only little knowledge it would be worth much more if you would put down your full arguments and explain with more words as why you think what. That would possibly save some pages in this thread too. So no offenses from my side, just the wish to be able to learn from you in an easier way.

Reading the posts of Jacques in here reminds me quite a lot to a thread of mine, where he was very serious about naming the blade gimei a few timesand pointing out minimal mei differences he claimed ... Well, NBTHK papered it with TH . So don't take his posts too serious if others give it chances, just go and find out if it papers.

Just a very side comment: when comparing against "2 million registered Japanese swords" against J and TJ, keep in mind that not all persons have the money, ambition nor wish to submit blades for shinsa, to NBTHK, etc.. There will be blades that would achieve J, but are not submitted for J - for whichever reason. It is a tad of unrelated to put these numbers in comparison.

Just a very side comment: when comparing against "2 million registered Japanese swords", keep in mind that not all persons have the money, ambition nor wish to submit blades for Juyo shinsa. There will be blades that would achieve Juyo, but are not submitted for Juyo - for whichever reason.

Are you sure this person is Mukansa? Markus Sesko has the following names on his list: Source: https://markussesko.com/2018/08/11/mukansa-ningen-kokuho-list/

As written above, for what I've been told it is supposed to be put up for exhibit starting 23rd May 2025, so this Friday. I'd assume you are closer to the Museum, so up to you to post pictures of how it is displayed . Or anyone else, if another forum member makes it there! Happy if you have liked it, was fun to be there, getting educated on not to lick on Tsuba and stuff ... . That room where we had the meeting was fantastic, if not overwhelming. The museum itself is a class of its own. That was a great trip to Berlin.

I'm leaving for Berlin tormorrow to bring the blade to the NBTHK-EB meeting on Saturday. For the non NBHTK-EB members and those that can't make it to the meeting, there is a written (borrowing) agreement that my blade will at the Samurai Museum Berlin. It is planned to be put up on display starting 23rd May 2025, and approximately one year. Hope that this will allow fellow members to get to look at it in person. And keen to hear what you mayever think of it, if you manage to see it, either at Museum or at Saturday's NBTHK-EB meeting!

Sorry for OT: yes, I'll bring it with me next week to the meeting. You'll get to see it (and me ) in person.

Oh yeah! Best will be standing in the rear and seeing people getting excited on the blade, while feeling dumb for not being able to see what they see . I will mention it in its own blade thread after the meeting (and hope I'm not announcing any secrets), but the Kiyomaro (Masayuki, to be precise) is afterwards borrowed to the Samurai Museum Berlin, where it will be put up for a special exhibition to allow even those not participating in the NBHTK-EB meeting to get to see the blade in person.