R_P

Absolutely, but it's not the money. Its what we see, the 2000 is crap, the 5000 is ok, then you see 10k, 15k,25k etc and you see, really see and then you're all alone on an island again

Agreed with Chandler! But if you have a minute to get to a target then let's try and assist.

I am trying to understand the point of this subject because certs are based on the whole sword and not just the Nakago....Nakago is very crucial, but?

Ok Ok we step away from Juyo and unicorns now gentlemen because I am talking in the 8K USD range. Why the reluctance to save for the first to be in that range. When I was a poor student in the UK in the early 2000's I would save everything for Gendaito, I didnt fly home (even if the family offered to cover it) all I wanted was Gendaito. Last year those Gendaito I purchased for 600 GBP or 900 GBP sold for 5K a piece in Bonhams, that is 5X in 20 years and in 2045 those Gendai blades are going to jump as they hit their 100 year mark. scrounging and saving pays off as long as you aim for the right elemets. But I am so confused why saving for is such an issue, it is all, I need this now? Why? Then when i was in the work place I was so impulsive, bought so much nonsensical stuff and had to spend years, YEARS, selling them to get back on track. Why not try atleast to start in a logical progression?

@Davo Can we perhaps help you find what you love first from the Gokaden and go from there to help you on budget limits? If yes we can turn this thread into something interesting. I will begin by posting some sugata styles from there Jigane and Hamon types for you to gravitate towards and from there we will go to Boshi ? I would really appreciate older members postings and inputs if you can. Please look at the sugata and begin to pic something that speaks to you then we can progress. I will do my best to respond quickly.

So i just want to tap into a few opinions on why saving for a sword is such a taboo subject. I see many people want nihonto but rush head long into a purchase and inevitably lose money on a resale (I'm included in that group). So why the reluctance to save and find a genre that suits? We are not short on information today, today we can see and experience everything possible! Let me know 🙏

How long will you be in Japan? Tokyo only?

Sorry, did I miss the budget threshold?

Why not use something like so: https://www.aoijapan.com/katana-sakuyo-tsuyama-ju-hirokiyo-saku1989/ Or https://www.aoijapan.com/tachiunshu-ju-tadayoshi-zo-kore-2ndmukansa-swordsmithnbthk-hozon-token/ Generally if you find modern shinsakuto in Japan you can ask for the dealer to get you papers before shipping (if the smith has passed away, if still alive it is not possible)

The Koshirae on the aoi art listing used to belong to a Naoe Shizu and now to this sword.

Sword has been over polished and I think a bit expensive for what it is.

This school made excellent swords in a rustic style and is very much overlooked and underappreciated. Nice sword! If you're going for schools like this condition issues are expected and are more aesthetic than interrupting function.

@Hoshi i am really enjoying these reads and thank you! For your next would you consider a focus on the greatest tanto makers, one from each of the Gokaden, kamakura period specifically? Or Bungo Tomoyuki?

And as of today this: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd0vkl31085o And this adds to the confusion: In an article last updated in May 2024, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection outlined antiques, specifically proven to be 100 years old or older, are classified under Chapter 9706 in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS), which means they are “duty-free, provided the importer has proof of the goods age (i.e. the year of manufacture).” However, Brockway points out there are a lot of factors to consider when bringing in antiques and vintage furnishings, and dealers and customers should always be prepared to pay additional costs. So I'm guessing no tariffs then?

Posts like this make life fun. @Brian remember the 100 million dollar sword from Ukraine a while back? That sword the 100M was sitting in my dorm room in university for a few weeks and belonged to a fellow student and his father (Andrei Trepshin). For years they shot from museum to museum with claims of authentic provenance and even pushed me to buy the relic. Finally when the late Greg Irvine told them definitively that it was retempered and had lost any resemblance to a Nihonto did the hawking move past UK shores. Only to seen it at some ridiculous auction for 100M. As far as I know it's still with the Trepshins. This is the new 100M PoS apparently

Thank you for this incredible work and kind gesture @Jussi Ekholm. An example to all of us to share dedication.

Hello all Well I believe in this case i can interject and put a few of the nonsensical commentaries on this expert (i cannot call him a dealer) to rest. This was my sword (bought from Darcy). I let go of it to Peter only because I felt he truly deserved to have the sword and no other interested party did nearly as much research on the blade before asking me to buy it (i have had offers on this blade people wouldn't believe) . He literally travelled to my location, took his initiative to see the sword in hand, he didn't make a commitment on the spot but after seeing the sword, thought many weeks about it before making the purchase. He came prepared with evidence and research from multiple sources and the amount of work that went into that would earn even the respect of people like @Rivkin and @Jacques who i think wouldn't have known where to start, indeed i was completely taken back by his dedication. And no, i dont need the money, i needed it to go to the right person. The sword itself, it's beauty cannot be appreciated except in hand. The hataraki will keep the owner amazed for years with new discoveries constantly. The sugata is powerful and has a presence that could easily make this a one sword collection. There are less than 10 Yukimitsu with Kinzogan and only one with Kinzogan to the swords owner, that is this one. I believe this sword has all the elements you want in early Soshu, the jigane is a mix of Shintogo and Yukimitsu experimental flare done with pure elegance and the Hamon is like what we see Masamune doing in cases. Everyone going on here about someone they've never met or dealt with needs to appreciate that this gentleman had the right eye when he requested me to relinquish the sword to him and that was in a room with about another 30 juyo and TJuyo, he went for this and that says everything. He's an excellent student, teacher and researcher so I suggest you stick to what he is selling not how or why.

Ah Aoe...my love ❤️ There is no middle ground with Aoe, you get very good or very meh. Always adhere to the availability for Aoe, you get better Aoe.

Not all watches are mass produced, this is a topic for the izakaya I think

This board is for nihonto but on the topic of watches I will say Rolex (i do love them) are not exactly what I would describe as national treasures but Patek Philippe are more this level. Rolex are watches for everyday use.

Dear All I hope this finds everyone doing well? 48 hours ago I was greeted with the wondaful news that the NBTHK Japan has given us permission to share the English Versions of the NBTHK magazines from series #1 to #58 (ONLY) here on the NMB for educational purposes. Conditions are: - The Magazines cannot be sold to the public or board members. They must remain as free educational material. No profiting under any circumstances. - There must be a stable record of how many members are downloading the magazines (we already track the download numbers) - These are for the English magazines from the late 1970's and only numbers 1 - 58. - The NBTHK Japan must be acknowledged as the original publishers. This has been weeks in the making with 2 close contacts in Japan lobbying on our behalf and they really have come through for us so I have a lot of making up to do for them when I am next in Japan. I shall send everything to @Brian and allow him to upload them when he has time. Thank you for your patience everyone and I hope that the materials will help your education and collecting journey as much as it has helped so many in the past.

I've seen an Okubo Kazuhira forged like this. Interesting itame mokume mix very distinguished Soshu style. Okubo Kazuhira Sayagaki.pdf

@Rawa what is the sword you will possibly trade, does yours have papers? On this sword I cannot tell much, sugata is off for Nanbokucho the suriage looks strange too, forced and mekugi ana look intentionally placed to make the appearance of koto. From the hamon, I am very 😕 is it a Oei Bizen style or Dotanuki I can see areas trying or pretending to be Kani Tsume Ba with Midare but I could just be trying to stay optimistic 😉 Cannot see the jigane The koshirae is a bit of a home made project looks Chinese but who knows Why go for this even as a trade when it's so far from good Nanbokucho for study. So what are you going to give this guy from your collection?

Are you asking for purchasing purposes? What's the price?

Then say nothing, please