Schneeds

Thank you! Props to Hoshi and Michael!

Z-sey comes awfully close. Experienced people here can tell the difference, but new people? Their smiths are clearly skilled and talented. https://www.swordjp.com/product/tamahagane-katana-blade

Advice on the internet is free; you can take it or leave it. Personally, I like reading the variety of view points expressed here on the forum and I think it's almost always well intentioned. The advice given here is largely the same and in line with the advice I've read here over and over again, so I don't understand the controversy. On the other hand, baiting and mocking people for sharing their experience and views is counter productive and preventative of those people (especially new) coming here to learn and get into the hobby.

Is this actually the case nowadays though? How do Japanese clients from other parts of the country know what you have to offer if you don't list it online?

I would curious to hear the opinions of some of our US dealers with the current situation. I assume they procure swords from Japan from time from to time, and now we're looking at a 15% cost increase there for no reason. Putting aside the fact that tariffing antique goods is unequivocally outside the scope and authority of the President, there's zero chance I'm importing something in the next three years. I'll be damned if I'm going to throw away thousands and deal with this uncertain new process. If it's still like that in five years... I don't know. The more focused my collection goals and the higher they get, the more patient I'd need to be at home, and maybe never find what I want.

For me, the journey started rather typical (for this day and age). I started out just reading and browsing the forum for a long time, trying to learn as much as I could. Then I came to the realization there's really no way to skip the book learning. So I bought Connoisseurs and read that several times. Next I picked up Markus' Japanese Sword Smith Index. I spent a lot of time looking at dealer offerings online and cross checking it with Connoisseurs and the Index. From the onset I had the Nanboku-cho period in mind because I love the sugata, and that particular and relatively short moment in history. I began looking at and reaeaching the top Soshu masters basically because of the reputation of being the pinnacle. I liked Kaneuji and Norishige the most, however getting close to the master's work at my set price range was not gojng to be very realistic. Kaneuji's history was particularly investing to me, so I started looking into Naoe Shizu as a sort of way to get Nanboku-cho Soshu at Mino prices. (Rember I'm a newbie). I liked the examples of Naoe Shizu I could find, and what really sold it was my picking up the Soshu Den Masterpieces book. The description there of Naoe Shizu being a quality blade that was sought after by actual warriors really did speak to me. Ive been through some s**t in my 15 years in law enforcement, and when I look at that work, it feels deadly but beautiful. I don't know if that's a good reason or not

Papered TH Naoe Shizu. Condition is overall good. Decent polish. It will never be Juyo, but I still might explore a fresh polish and sayagaki someday.

A modest Naoe Shizu. It has a formidable sugata, is healthy, and quite hefty despite its futasuji-hi though. I ended up stretching my intial budget to get what I believed was a quality level I would be happy with the foreseeable future, while still stopping well short of what I think I will spend someday.

It seems to me that the NMB adage of "spend your first ____ $'s on books" is a very similar mindset. I never felt discouraged or encouraged to buy, or buy at any specific threshold; only to avoid rushing into stupidity. Also, there are a lot of outside factors that can impact net gain/loss in your purchase. I bought my first blade last year when the JPY bottomed out in a decade low against the USD, and avoided the now existing tariffs. That right there is a 30% reduction compared to if i bought it right now.

This sword is currently on display at the NBTHK as part of their Sword Crafts Exhibition. Unlike the other mumei blades in the polishing category, it does not have any attribution. It was my favorite off all the awards, and I'm curious if anyone has come across it before or knows what its probable attribution is/might be? Photographing was tough; it was busy and I was doing this hand held but still nice to look at.

Tokyo-nihonto often deals in that price range. Nice website and photography and is a forum member.

Doesn't appear to have a shirasaya either, unless I'm missing it. Paying 6k for a blade without one seems odd to me... maybe he lost or damaged it? Another bad sign. In my newbie opinion, if your budget is very limited, you are better off waiting for something in the for sale section here on NMB that catches your eye. Very reasonable and sometimes great deals appear there.

Make sure to check the schedule on the NBTHK website. The English-version of their site doesn't display it (at least for my browsers), and only gives the generic hours. Use a browser translation add on on the Japanse page. Otherwise you end up like I just did, finding out on your two-day Tokyo layover that the museum is closed for the week. Luckily I should be able to see it on my return.

Can't imagine how long it took to create this; it's excellent. As a professional I am jealous of some of that photography, from what I believe is Yuhindo; basically perfection.

There are a large number of reputable sellers listed under the Info/Links section on the menu. Also check the members For Sale section here. Lots of good blades to be found there, and there have been some excellent deals lately.