sugopomedoro

Thank you to those who have replied. When it says length does it refer to overall length or cutting edge length?

Hi all. I’ve yet again got to ask for some assistance in translating this document which seems to be in a different format to the ones I’ve seen of late. I have managed to get as far as “firearms swords registration certificate” far right column, i also get that it was registered 1 June 1943 in the Wakayama prefecture. Registration number 9407 wakayama perfecture. I don’t understand the details about the length / warp type of sword if that detail is present as the format seems different. Any other useful information on it would be of interest to know. i think it references an eye hole as well ? Thanks once again in advance.

@SteveM Thank you kindly. I have updated my image. The only reason I mentioned Mino / Seki is due to " kane 兼 is the one used by smiths from Mino/ Seki province and related schools" I realise this is a best effort approach and subject to interpretation.

The finished result - I hope this is correct

Thank you Steve. The only thing left is finding out which Kanenori smith it’s attributed to and that’s beyond the scope of translation. The dealer I got it from said it’s koto period so I guess he deduced this from the attribution to Kanenori and the Seki region combined - my guess. thank you I think I now have enough to hopefully satisfy customs

Much appreciated and no you weren’t teaching me to suck eggs. i checked the sword index and found one Kanenori Seki region. but I digress. Translation is what I really need and I am grateful for your help.

Thank you for the advice. can you assist in my quest ?

Thank you I have been looking at that this afternoon, whilst it is very helpful explaining the structure of the paper I still cant read the Japanese

Hi All, I wish to import a Wakizashi in to the UK and as part of the process I would like to supply customs with a translated version of the Hozon paper to support the fact that the item is an authentic antique. I would like to place the translation both on and in the shipping package. As such I would be hugely appreciative of help with both the trnaslation and the format in which I can subit this "evidence" to customs. For a format I thought of typing the translated text next to the original on an editted image, or to give each line or entry a number and reference the translation by number. I have made a crude effort myself using resources on the net. but I am sure I am not accurate as the smith should be Kanenori Late Muromachi as described by the dealer and the details about the Nagasa seem wrong as translated to be "less than 7 inches" So far I have got 1) Certificate of Authenticity 2) Wakizashi Mumei (Kaneho) - Wrong, should be Kanenori 3) Long (less than seven inches long) - wrong ? - continued - the one on the 4) right is a preserved sword as a result of the examination at the association - does this mean what it says or is there more to it ? why the one on the right? 5) Appraise and Prove this 6) May 31, the sixth year of Reiwa - how does this translate to a date in english ? 7) public interest incorporated foundation Japan art swords and swords preservation assocaitation - the identity of the association that made the appraisal. 8 - Keep I would be very very appreciative of assistance with this. Thank you !

Thanks - tried to remove but dont have edit facility - requested assistance from admin

Yes you are of course correct, what got me panicing was the thread on here that someone posted having had theirs seized by border force and having threats of court action amounting to £2500 and the hoops they had to jump through to get the back. of course the RM thing had its effect too but its mainly the threat of BF seeing it as illegal. He also used UPS Thanks for your encouracement. I have 2 choices - get my contact in France to send them or have them sent to a non appreciator friend in France who would not know how to care for them

Thanks for the replies. There are 2 Nihonto, one has papers the other doesnt - would this also be OK ? I am attaching an invoice for the Waki, is the format and content acceptable - sorry for being so worried I just don't want trouble.

OK I just got off the phone to UPS again, They confirmed their process which I will summarise here - I am to ship the swords with the correct description of "Antique sword curved over 50cm made before 1954 and over 100 years old made by traditional methods of hand made swords" Describe myself as a private collector (I will add my To-Ken membership) I use the correct HS code 9706.00.00 Include purchase receipt that should describe the antique accurately - still have to get these. And then send it from france, My contect there is a member of the CEA and will attest by letter to the age of the swords too. Upon arrival UPS will send me an Antique declaration form as well as a sword declaration form. Clearance will be done within UPS apparently and with said forms should clear without issue so I have been told. Does this all sound OK? I am really worried about potential seizure and the ensuing complications. What is worrying is being able to prove the authenticity if questioned. I have read on here that most fly through without complication as was the case when I got my first sword from the USA some 4 years ago but have things changed ? Has anyone recently received a a nihonto in the mail ? I dont have the ability to drive over there and collect.

I have a Koto Nihonto in Ebi Koshirae that is in new polish. It has a very active Hamon and beautiful mounts

Thank you Kanenori is good to hear - Koto Muromachi as per the seller.

Hi all, I recently purchased a Wakizashi from a dealer in Japan and had it sent for Shinsa, it came back as appraised and passed with papers attributed. The person who I bought it off said it was attributed to Kanenori Muromachi period and sent me a picture of the papers. Could anyone kindly assist me with translation of the papers ? Many thanks in advance,

Many thanks It was originally purchased in Japan from a dealer there. I will have to ask for invoice because he took payment by credit card. im made particularly afraid by another post on here from 2022 where the chaps swords were seized by BF and he had to jump though many complex hoops in order to have his shipment restored. His name was Lareon. The dealer in France said he is happy to attach the following “ can wrote you à letter in english, saying that, as a registered antique arms expert in France, working for the CEA, i attest that both sword are older than 100 year old” would this be enough ? as well of course as invoices, dealer information, descriptions and contact info reslly worried about them being seized now

Thank you all. I called UPS and they confirmed that the antiques could be shipped to the UK and I would need to fill in an antique declaration form after it arrives especially as they are curved blades over 50cm long. only one of the swords was sent to shinsa so only one is papered. Is the antique declaration for sufficient to have it released ? Will I be required to provide receipts of purchase from Japan ? the absolute last thing I want is to be prosecuted for importing illegal goods ! That needs to be avoided at all costs thanks in advance

Well I have a big dilemma I purchased 2 Nihonto from a dealer in Japan before the new rules and I’ve been waiting for them to come back from shinsa which has only just happened one was papered Kanenori Mino school Koto period and the dealer stated that he couldn’t send them to the UK however he knew of a sword dealer in France who would be happy to forward them to me in the UK. The swords arrived with the French dealer and he proposed to send them to me in the United Kingdom under the description of wall hangers. he told me that he’d successfully managed to get a number of antique Sword into England under the same tactic. only one of the swords received papers and with them being in Japanese any customs official would have a lot of trouble understanding them. I have asked him to withhold from sending them while I try to understand what the consequences could be if they were to be detected by customs. What do people think might happen? Would I be prosecuted or would they be seized or would they be sent back? or have I just lost a large sum of money due to this current state of affairs.

Thank you both for your comments, so long as it is not cast and is a genuine piece from the Edo. I’m pleased with it. I was a little bit worried that it might be fake because it doesn’t have the indents where the blade passes through.

Good evening everyone, I made an impulse purchase because I’ve never seen one of these or anything much like it before. I believe it is early Edo period, it is mumei but I just found it so interesting I could not say no. I wonder if anybody knows anything about such a piece as this and could enlighten me further. From my own work, it is a drawstring purse, Design, suggesting wealth and money, so perhaps it would made for somebody who was rich and important, just guessing any information would be gratefully received

Beautiful thanks for sharing

Agreed but I don’t use names lightly. Keep an eye open this one is going for shinsa.

I spoke to the seller today and the Mei has been appraised as genuine in Japan by photos. Perhaps the title of this thread needs to be changed 😂 now that it’s been appraised he is no longer selling and will send for shinsa.

I don’t think the Polish is that bad I saw a comment by Yakiba , and he almost did 180° turnaround on it, when he realised that it had been appraised in hand by a polisher. Mei wise look at this and compare. It’s beginning to peak my interest. Mei looks good comparable to this