reflection on collection

[b.hennick]

I recently had an opportunity to make an offer on a very expensive rare sword. So expensive that I had to consider selling most of my swords. This made me consider each one and decide what I could, with regret, let go. It was an interesting experience. How far are you willing to go to reach for something outstanding? I had several sleepless nights and in the end made my best offer. It was refused, as was my over the top offer. I am sleeping easier now

So what did I end up putting in the keep pile? Just three swords - my best sword, a sword that an older collector entrusted me to take care of (late Heian early Kamakura Naminohira one hole ubu tachi) and the first good sword that I ever held. That sword was a senior collectors treasure - not for sale. He moved away, passed away and I bought the sword from his estate.

So although I am not expecting you to write what you would offer or keep, I think that the exercise is a good one for you to go through.

[Guest reinhard]

I'd like to quote Ogasawara Sensei:

 

"When I was young, my Sensei showed my a saya-gaki. The inscription said enigmatically:

 

"Even if you were standing at the edge of the road..."

 

He asked wether I understood it. I had to say that I did not. He explained that "to stand at the edge of the road" means that you have become like a beggar. Even if the owner were to become a beggar, he would never part from this sword."

 

reinhard

[paulb]

Hi Barry,

I have just gone through a simlar exercise and found it an interesting experience. Like you those I chose to hold on to often had an emotional rather than academic interest.

Some of those I chose to let go were better or relatively more important blades but I felt I had learned all I could from them and as my taste evolves/ changes with time I will gain more from something different.

My "even if standing at the side of the road" blades include an O-suriage Enju blade with the most beautiful hada I have ever seen, A mino Katana passed to me by my teacher a year or so before he died and a number others with small stories to tell.

Lettnig the others go, some that I had held for many years was not easy but I hope it will give the opportunity to improve my collection and my opportunity to learn more.

[Brian]

I don't have any very good swords yet, but I do have some that I love. However many I would part with if I had the chance to upgrade to something significant that I could learn a lot from. However I have a few that aren't all that fantastic that I don't think I would part with due to sentimental or other reasons. This includes my first decent piece that started my collecting interests, and another that I bought with a huge lot of related paperwork and WW2 documents that I promised the owner I would cherish (from his father) and never sell for a profit. Sometimes sentimentality is more important than profit or upgrading.

As for the others, I expect most collectors recognise the fact that if you are going to constantly improve your collection, you are going to have to trade up sometimes, and lose items you love. Just as long as you love the new item more, and it is not just about money.

You could sell 3 blades you love, and get one top end item that is a good investment and top quality..but just doesn't "do it for you" at all. The way I see it, we are only holding and preserving these swords for X amount of years anyways, so sometimes some have to go prematurely. But there will always be those items that have a special place in our hearts that would be very difficult to part with.

 

Brian