Swords dedicated to shrines and "spare" shrine swords

[Eric Santucci]

Hi,

 

I recently came across a sword from 1937 that was supposedly dedicated as a shrine sword according to seller's description.

 

I know that in certain cases smiths made 3 swords for shrines where only one was chosen and the other swords were then left over as spares and likely sold to collectors.

 

My main question is whether there is ever a case where the actual shrine sword, not the spares, would have been taken from the shrine for some reason and sold to the outside collector world.

 

Just a side note that the specific sword in question that I was looking at has NBTHK Hozon papers attesting to the fact that NBTHK knows it exists and is not in the shrine it was dedicated for if indeed for some reason this is the actual shrine sword.

 

My gut tells me that an actual shrine sword would likely not be sold, but I've come to see very surprising things over the years during collecting so wanted to see what others have come to know.

 

Thanks,

Eric

[sanjuro]

Hi Eric.

I dont know if this is relevant, but back in November this topic was raised.

 

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=14414&hilit=shrine+swords

[cabowen]

Many blades were either taken by Allied forces from Shrines at the end of the war, or the Shrines themselves turned them in as was requested by GHQ. That is one way they left the shrine. The other is from sales by the shrines themselves. It does happen. Sometimes they decide they need the money and/or don't have the resources to properly care for them and they are sold.

[Eric Santucci]

Thanks Keith, the linked thread helps a little and I appreciate your assistance. The sword in question I saw online is actually dedicated for the shrine and that dedication is noted on the nakago. The sword in the other thread that was linked was made at a military academy as noted on the nakago and then donated to a shrine from what I understood from my quick reading of things.

 

Thanks Chris, I was hoping to see a reply from you on this area. Your info answers my question - thanks!

 

Follow up question - how can we tell the difference between the actual shrine sword and the potential spares that may have been made?

 

Thanks again

[cabowen]

Blades actually dedicated or given to the shrine are usually so inscribed. Many times the kageuchi blades are also inscribed "made with surplus steel for X shrine blade" or the like....

[Eric Santucci]

Thanks Chris, much appreciated

[sanjuro]

Hi Eric.

 

The sword in the other thread that was linked was made at a military academy as noted on the nakago and then donated to a shrine from what I understood from my quick reading of things.

 

True.... The military academy and the shrine in this instance are however, synonymous.