Honjo Masamune found!! (well almost... maybe)

[ROKUJURO]

In summer 1977, there was a high-quality sword show in KOBE. With a preparation time of ten (= ten) years, they had gathered swords from private collections, and there were three MASAMUNE blades which had never been shown in public.

I could imagine that there might be a few more hidden from view.

[MassiveMoonHeh]

10 hours ago, Mushin said:

There are at least 94 recorded blades recognized as Masamune, including 5 that have a mei. They are 10 Kokuhu (National Treasures), 13 Juyo Bunkazai, 8 Juyo Bijutsihin, 2 in the Imperial collection, 26 Tokubetsu Juyo and 35 Juyo. These include 47 Katana, 36 Tanto, 3 Wakizashi, 5 Tachi, 1 Kodachi and one "other." There is also one Tokubetsu Hozon and many more in collections that are not designated. Prices can and have gone well over a $1m.

 

 

 

As always in this game numbers are not always perfect - I wish they were.

 

I am extremely grateful to @Jussi Ekholm for sharing his numbers. My numbers are closer to his in terms of Masamune blades and suspect his numbers include some TH or Provincial JuBu that I don't have therefore I will default to his numbers.

 

In terms of designated blades which are easier to track out of the various books:

 

Gyubutsu - 7 (Includes previous Imperial blades - from my previous posts this has been the most difficult designation to track)

Kokuho - 9

JuBu - 19 (This does include missing blades, including the Honjo)

JuBi - 10

ToJu - 24

Juyo - 34

 

Total - 103 Juyo and above designated blades

 

I have no idea how many Hozon and ToHo blades there are or blades in Museums and Collections that have not been to NBTHK for authentication but I would suggest that 10% on top of this, is probably valid... 

 

In terms of zaimei blades I have 10 blades, including 9 Tanto and 1 Tachi. I cannot comment how legit these signatures are as there is still some speculation but they are only from designated blades.

 

The last Masamune I saw for sale was with @Ray Singer, who had a beautiful TokuJu Tanto. It was the first and last legit TJ Masamune I saw for sale and it appears to no longer be available.

 

If you were gonna and could spend the big money then a Masamune is probably the one you will want to put it down against. As long as you don't go crazy you generally can't go wrong with the GOAT.

 

 

[Hoshi]

Hello, 

 

There are few issues in these counts, out of the 19 Jubun, 9 are kokuho and technically no longer "jubun" - this reduces the total count. One of the Gyobutsu is also Kokuho (the Kanze Masamune), while the other has no designation (a zaimei tanto). For accurate item count, one needs to account at the item-level, not at the designation-level. 

 

It will take a bit of time for NihontoWatch to provide 100% accurate counts. The Juyo/TJ counts are accurate, the rest - not quite, yet. Keep this in mind. 

 

It doesn't change the overall picture though. 

 

You can absolutely go wrong with Masamune on the market though, as the setsumei needs to be studied carefully, and outside appraisals are in my opinion required before dipping into this name. It's not so simple. Stay clear of anything TH unless you really know what you're doing. If the price feels too good to be true, it probably is. A legitimately high-level and cross-verified Masamune attribution though is absolutely a blue chip investment and will only appreciate.

 

The investment risk is lowest at the absolute apex of the field. it's the "Holy Grail" effect in art and collectible. 

 

It is not just a matter of money, however. It may take years of efforts and relationship building at the highest level just to be presented the opportunity, if ever, so it should he more of an aspirational goal. 

 

Best,

 

Hoshi 

 

[MassiveMoonHeh]

1 hour ago, Hoshi said:

Hello, 

 

There are few issues in these counts, out of the 19 Jubun, 9 are kokuho and technically no longer "jubun" - this reduces the total count. One of the Gyobutsu is also Kokuho (the Kanze Masamune), while the other has no designation (a zaimei tanto). For accurate item count, one needs to account at the item-level, not at the designation-level. 

 

It will take a bit of time for NihontoWatch to provide 100% accurate counts. The Juyo/TJ counts are accurate, the rest - not quite, yet. Keep this in mind. 

 

It doesn't change the overall picture though. 

 

You can absolutely go wrong with Masamune on the market though, as the setsumei needs to be studied carefully, and outside appraisals are in my opinion required before dipping into this name. It's not so simple. Stay clear of anything TH unless you really know what you're doing. If the price feels too good to be true, it probably is. A legitimately high-level and cross-verified Masamune attribution though is absolutely a blue chip investment and will only appreciate.

 

The investment risk is lowest at the absolute apex of the field. it's the "Holy Grail" effect in art and collectible. 

 

It is not just a matter of money, however. It may take years of efforts and relationship building at the highest level just to be presented the opportunity, if ever, so it should he more of an aspirational goal. 

 

Best,

 

Hoshi 

 

Appreciate the correction and input Hoshi. Look forward to having the Artist section of Nihontowatch updated 100% - it will prove a very valuable resource going forward.

[Jussi Ekholm]

One point where people might disagree is when we are starting to consider what items and authenticating bodies we see as legitimate ones. I am very allowing and I often accept museum and shrine items as legitimate ones, yet I know many people can disagree with this view. I feel I am not the correct person to judge authencity of the items. In my personal opinion some shrine items for example have much more interesting history than some newly minted NBTHK Tokubetsu Jūyō, still these are often just differences in viewpoints, 

 

For example here is a signed Masamune that I think is flying under the radar, named sword 夫馬正宗 (Fuma Masamune), no designation it is in the collection of Tokyo National Museum

 

 

https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/489835

https://meitou.info/index.php/夫馬正宗

 

Here is named sword 朱判正宗 (Shuhan Masamune), no official designation and currently in private collection

https://meitou.info/index.php/朱判正宗

 

Named sword 島津正宗 (Shimazu Masamune), no designation, is in the collection of Kyoto National Museum

https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/565922

https://meitou.info/index.php/島津正宗

 

If you check Yahoo Japan auctions there are often Masamune being sold in there too... There is just lot of wiggle room depending on what you will accept as legitimate item.

[Brano]

Another blade without a designation is the Sozui Masamune which is part of the Imperial collection.