treverorum

@Rivkin That’s a fascinating perspective. I wasn't aware that in some regions, status rankings were linked to external metrics like hotel infrastructure; that seems to bypass art appreciation in favor of state-driven tourism management. Those more formal systems are obviously derived from a history of looted heritage, resulting in a 'defensive' bureaucracy. What sets Japan apart for me is the nature of the ranking itself. In Japan, the rank is a hallmark of quality that travels with the blade across the globe. In the other countries you mentioned, it is often a label that removes the object from the world.

Hi everyone, I wanted to share a reflection after completing my first full year in this incredible field. Over the years, I have been an avid collector of many things, ranging from precisely catalogued historical multiples and rare editions (such as coins and books) to the more subjective realm of fine art and contemporary pieces. I was used to the world of almanacs and the subjective opinions of art critics. But after one year of being entangled in the world of Nihonto, I’ve realized this is something else entirely. What fascinates me most, and what has truly trapped me in this hobby, is the unique intersection of high art and the rigorous Japanese legal framework. Unlike any other field of art, we are dealing with a mandatory government registration system that defines a sword’s existence as a legal art object. But the real magic happens when this legal status meets the expert judgment of the Shinsa. In the world of fine art, you often chase a signature. Here, we look for a soul. When a group of experts gazes into the jihada and hamon, they aren't just checking a box; they are identifying the hand of a master who lived centuries ago. They are giving an anonymous piece of steel its name and its history back. This strict, tiered hierarchy, from Hozon to the Juyo and Tokubetsu Juyo levels, feels to me more than just a ranking, it is a path of merit that honors the spirit of the smith. To hold an object that has been scrutinized by such a body, and to find it recorded in a work like the Juyo Token Nado Zufu, creates a level of gravitas I have never encountered in any other hobby. It transforms a beautiful blade into a verified vessel of both history and spirit. Even after a year of navigating the challenges of the market, encountering gimei, fake documentation, and the complexities of mumei attributions, my respect for this system has only grown. It’s not just about owning art; it’s about the certainty that comes when art, law, and a thousand years of tradition meet to protect the soul of the Japanese sword. I’m curious if others here, especially those coming from a background in fine art, had a similar realization? That the unique Japanese system of judging and registration is actually what sets this apart from every other form of collecting?

I was browsing Aoi Art recently and this listing stopped me in my tracks. It’s a Mumei katana attributed to Den Masamune with NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon papers. It features a Sayagaki by Hon'ami Choshiki (dated 1884) which Aoi Art seems to rate highly. https://sword-auction.com/en/product/29329/as25618-刀：無名伝-正宗特別保存刀剣委託品/ I was surprised to see a piece with this attribution available publicly like this. Has anyone here had a chance to look at the photos in detail? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the blade and the attribution.

My pockets are not infinite—let’s just say €320k might be something for future me to consider! For now, I’m exploring the options within a more modest range. I’ve been approached by several people already, and obtained lists with average prices over the years. This has also given me a better understanding of the discretion involved in this market.

As I search for outstanding pieces, I thought it might be helpful to compile a list of Tokubetsu Juyo Token currently available for purchase. Here’s what I’ve found so far: 1. Tachi by Sadatoshi (Ayakōji School) Tachi by Sadatoshi (Ayakōji School) – Price: ¥28,000,000 2. Katana by Katayama Ichimonji (Mumei) Katana by Katayama Ichimonji (Mumei) – Price: Unknown 3. Katana by Yamato Tegai School Katana by Yamato Tegai School (Touken Matsumoto) – Price: ¥20,000,000 4. Tachi by Hojoji Kunimitsu (Mumei) Tachi by Hojoji Kunimitsu (Mumei) – Price: Unknown 5. Tachi by Rai Kunimitsu Tachi by Rai Kunimitsu – Price: Unknown While these are excellent offerings, most are listed by dealers in Japan. This leads me to my next questions: 1. Has anyone already inquired about the prices for the swords with unknown values? It would be great to know what kind of range these listings fall into, as it might help gauge the market better. 2. Are there any trusted European dealers currently offering Tokubetsu Juyo swords? Import taxes, shipping risks, and international handling can add significant costs and concerns when purchasing from outside Europe, so I would prefer options closer to home if possible. If you know of other Tokubetsu Juyo Token available on the market (from anywhere), or if you can recommend European sellers specializing in high-end swords, I’d greatly appreciate your insights! Thanks in advance for helping me navigate this exciting market.

Hi Cor, Thank you for your response and for taking the time to address this issue. I appreciate the steps you’ve taken to remove the listing and investigate the matter further with your supplier in Japan. Your transparency and willingness to take responsibility are commendable. That said, I do have some follow-up questions and concerns that I hope you can clarify: 1. Authenticity Guarantee for Other Swords: How confident are you in the authenticity of the other swords you currently have listed? Are they coming from the same supplier as the tampered katana? For example, I noticed you have another sword listed on Catawiki with golden inlays and a two-body-cut inscription: https://www.catawiki...do-periode-1600-1868. https://bushidoshop....body-test-year-1862/ (see attachment) Can you confirm that this sword has been thoroughly verified and not coming from the same supplier? 2. Plans for the Forged Katana: Now that the katana in question has been identified as tampered with, what do you plan to do with it? Will it be returned to Japan for further investigation, or will steps be taken to ensure it’s permanently removed from the collector’s market to prevent future resale? Additionally, I have to say I was interested in the Gassan Sadakazu sword you were offering, but given what has happened, I would need some proper convincing to move forward with that. Authenticity is paramount to me, and I hope you can provide assurance about the steps you’re taking to verify this and other listings. As a newcomer to sword collecting, this experience has been a valuable lesson for me, but it’s also disheartening. Ensuring trust in sellers and the market is so important, and I hope that cases like this can help us all be more vigilant moving forward. Thank you again for your time and for taking this matter seriously. I look forward to hearing from you.

You make a valid point that the seller might have initially acquired the item in good faith. However, their actions regarding other listings strongly suggest they are acting in bad faith. For instance, take this auction by the same seller: Katana by Heianjo Nagayoshi - Master of Muramasa - NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certified. https://www.catawiki...etsu-hozon-certified https://kyodaiorigin...tsu-hozon-certified/ The seller claims in the description: “The NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon certificate notes that ‘Heianjo Nagayoshi forges a finer jihada (steel grain pattern) than both Muramasa and Masazane.’” This is completely false—no such note exists on the certificate. Statements like this are intentionally misleading and designed to inflate the perceived value of the item. Even if the seller acquired the forged item unknowingly, fabricating descriptions like this shows a clear intent to deceive buyers. At the very least, this warrants caution when dealing with the seller.

It seems this sword was listed for auction before December 2023, also originating from the Netherlands: LiveAuctioneers listing. I’m curious about when and to whom (or at least which country) it was sold by the Samurai Museum Shop, though I assume that’s not information they would be willing to share. I guess I should ask them to add a warning to the page, to prevent any future fraud attempts. Have they put a similar disclaimer on their website before? I managed to find the specific page of the book through an eBay listing that used it as an example page — guess I got lucky! : )

As someone new to this hobby, I was wondering if the community has a collection of reference materials readily available? For example, I’m currently trying to look up a specific item in the Shin Shinto Taikan, but I haven’t been able to find a digital version anywhere. Surely, I can’t be the only one facing this issue. I’ve been searching online to verify authenticity but haven’t had any luck so far. Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated! Also, does the NBTHK have a digital database of their certificates? That would make sense wouldn't it.

As a newcomer to sword collecting who was excited to purchase my first katana, I was shocked to discover that a katana being sold as authentic is actually a fake with altered inscriptions and papers. The katana in question is currently listed on Catawiki, and the store selling it is Kyodai Originals: https://kyodaiorigin...k-tokubetsu-hozon-2/. However, the katana and its NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon certificate have been tampered with. Here’s the evidence: 1. The gold inscription on the tang (nakago), which claims a “4-body test cut” (四ッ胴切落), has been added fraudulently. This modification does not appear on the original tang in earlier listings. 2. The original NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon papers for this katana can be found on the Samurai Museum website: Samurai Museum Original Listing. When comparing the certificates and identification numbers, it’s clear they are the same: • Samurai Museum Certificate: Certificate Image • Kyodai Originals Certificate: Altered Certificate Image 3. The identification numbers on the certificates match exactly, yet the Kyodai Originals listing includes the fraudulent gold-inscribed cutting test (四ッ胴切落), which was not on the original tang or certificate. As someone new to sword collecting, this discovery was disheartening. I was excited to acquire a first katana and trusted the listings and sellers. This experience taught me the importance of verifying every detail, especially when dealing with high-value items like Japanese swords. Any idea how to proceed with this so something like this will have consequences? I already contacted Catawiki about it, but I am pretty sure you guys have more experience with this. Also, how on earth can I trust any future listing of any other katana?