Translation And Help Would Be Needed

[hacsek]

Dear All,

 

I’d like to buy a katana and would like your expertize to help me identify and authenticate this sword.

Any help, comments, observation on this matter would be highly appreciated.

 

Based on the description of the seller the sword comes from the Edo era and has been forged in 1825.

He spent roughly EUR 2k for restoration, and the work has been done by a member of the NBTHK.

Name of the blacksmith is Seishu Hisai -ju Katsuhisa, who achieved Utsuri on this blade.

The fuchi kashira is also special as the shakudo has the sign of the Tokugawa family.

 

Thank you very much in advance!

Andrew

[kissakai]

Is that plastic 'rayskin' on the handle?

 

 

Grev UK

[Stephen]

or new

 

KATSUHISA (勝久),

[Stephen]

the only one is M Sesko book

 

KATSUHISA (勝久), Ansei (安政, 1854-1860), Kaga – “Kashū-jū Fujiwara Katsuhisa saku” (加州住藤原勝久作), real name Matsuto Tōkurō (松戸藤九郎)

 

Hawley same same

[SteveM]

It would seem to be 

勢州久居住勝久

But...not a lot of info on this mei, other than a few random entries for auction sites. 

[Geraint]

Hi Andrew.

 

A lot depends on what you want in your sword.  This is a shinshinto katana, in polish and with koshirae; so far so good.  If the koshirae is original to the sword with perhaps a new tsuka, same and a rebind then not a problem.  However if the koshirae is all new even if it uses antique fitttings, not so good at least from my point of view.

Don't read anything into the fuchi and kashira having Tokugawa mon, there are a lot of these around and it does not add significance to the sword.  You don't mention sizes so I assume that the sword is indeed katana length but as I am sure you know the value if it were shorter than this would be much less.

 

So you have a genuine Japanese sword in pretty good condition, signed and in koshirae.  You don't mention price so it is hard to say.  If you want something to hang on your wall, fine.  If you want to start a collection then this is better than most for a first time sword but a lot depends on the price.

 

Whatever you decide enjoy!

 

All the best.

[hacsek]

Dear Geraint,
dear All,

thank you so much for your input!

I couldn't talk to the seller yet to ask about the koshirae, but as he said that he spent EUR 2k for the restoration with material, I'm afraid the koshirae might not be the original one.
It's still a question mark for me why he would sell it for EUR 3k when he spent 2k for diverse restoration works. What I also don't understand is, if a member of the NBTHK works with this sword why isn't there a certificate about the authenticity. (Such a certificate would cost EUR 1,5k roughly was the answer)

If you really say it's an authentic almost 200 years old Japanese sword, I feel more confident. Not sure how much it would decrease its value if the koshirae is not original, but based on my research it should be worth it.

Please find some additional pictures down below, and don't hesitate to comment if you find something unusual, or even if you have an opinion.
I'd consider this purchase as an investment and at the same time a piece of art something that makes me happy every time I look at it.
Thank you very much again for all your help and support!!

[Shugyosha]

It sounds like an overstatement of the cost of shinsa but sending the sword to Japan plus agent's fees and registration costs on top of shinsa fees might add a chunk to what had already been spent.

 

That said, the sword may not have been sent for authentication because this isn't an important smith and so not worth the effort of faking.

 

If you are looking for an investment then Japanese swords are not likely to yield a return and you may easily do better elsewhere. As someone said above, check out the sales section and you will see good stuff at better prices than this sword.

[Stephen]

We ( sword collectors) are well known for buying high then selling low, ask anyone...

 

Dont spend your money on swords if you have any doubts about it till your well versed on Nihonto, even well seasoned buyers, yours truely, are known to pull the trigger off target.

[Brian]

Member of the NBTHK could be anyone. He didn't say one of the management. Lots of members here are NBTHK members. All it takes is a yearly fee.

I don't think any high-ups in the NBTHK restore swords.

[Surfson]

Much wisdom has been shared about your decision of whether or not to buy this sword.  You might ask where the restoration was done.  EUR 2K of restoration cost is not a lot, and may just refer to the cost of a polish and rewrapped handle by a domestic (i.e. European or possibly US) polisher,  It seems too low for the sword to have been sent to Japan for polish and handle rewrap, which in most cases would be more like EUR 3-4K.  It looks like a decent polish to me, but as your skills of observation and study advance, you may begin to appreciate the finer elements of the skill of a first rate polisher and realize that your days with this piece are drawing to a close.  I agree that EUR 3K can buy a pretty nice sword, but it also doesn't seem outlandish as a retail price for this one, assuming that the mei is good, which is probably a safe assumption.  

[Surfson]

By the way, I just noticed that you are in Vienna.  By coincidence, I will be in Vienna from sunday until wednesday this week.  If you have the sword in hand, I would be happy to have a look at it (not that I claim to be a expert of any note, but might be able to find any issues with the blade).  Since I fly out tomorrow, you should contact me right away if you are interested in this so I can tell you how to reach me in Vienna.  Cheers, Bob

[hacsek]

Dear Robert, dear All,

thank you very much for your help and comments.

And a big thank you Robert for offering your services, it's too late I'm afraid.

I was hesitating for too long, the sword has been sold.

If I can help you in any way while you're here in Vienna don't hesitate to write.

My mail address is hacsy@gmx.de

 

kind regards

Andreas

[Shugyosha]

Hi Andreas,

 

Don't sweat it. There are lots of nice swords out there in this price range and you could easily do better than this one.

 

Best,

John

[hacsek]

Thanks John,

just got the info that the fuchi kashira only, is listed at USD 1070 in Japan, so maybe the package wasn't that bad altogether.

But I'll keep my eyes open if something similar comes up on this forum.

 

Thanks a lot again guys for your help, I appreciate it!

Liebe Grüße,

Andreas

[Jean]

Andreas,

 

It is time to paraphrase Shakespeare (Hamlet)

 

You have been facing the greatest rub/alternative a collector can encounter:

 

"Whether it is better in the mind to have all information and to weigh the pros and cons before buying or to follow a gut feeling and by buying on the spur of the momend end the pangs of anxiety."

 

I buy on the spur of the moment as for my Sukemitsu and no mistake as so far ...