Katana documents

[hakoti]

This is my first post here, so I hope I am doing things correctly.

 

I have an opportunity to buy a Katana, reported to be 200-300 years old, brought back by a Navy man in the 1950s. I have not seen the sword or documents yet, I only have some really poor pictures.

 

I would like to know what the documents are - bill of sale perhaps, some type of certificate? I realize they are poor quality and a translation especially of the document on the left, may not be possible. I notice a Yen amount of 62,800 written on the right hand document. The Yen was 360 to the dollar in the 1950s, so that amount would be about $175.00. Perhaps that was the sale price --- just a guess.

 

Any info as to what these documents are, even best guess, would be appreciated.

 

Andy W.

[cabowen]

The document on the upper left is the torokusho, or registration card, issued by the government and to always be with the sword. When exported, as this one was (?), the card is supposed to be returned to the government and an export document issued. This rule was not always followed, as in this case.

 

The document on the right is a receipt issued by the seller, Komino Token Ten (Komino Sword Shop), for a mumei (unsigned) sword with koshirae (mounting ) and togidai (polish I believe). The yen amount is indeed the sales price.

[Bugyotsuji]

The registration document was originally issued in Tokyo.

 

The bill of sale is dated Showa 46, ie 1971.

 

62,800 yen is more than I was getting per month (50,000) as a part-time teacher at a university in Kyoto in 1971.

[hakoti]

Gentlemen, thank you very much for your comments and insight. This info gives me a much better understanding of what is being offered for sale.

Andy W.