Worth Shinsa?

[EastCoast]

All,

 

I just bought this: http://www.sword-auction.jp/en/content/as16172-%E6%A7%8D%EF%BC%9A%E5%8C%85%E5%AE%9A-yari-kanesada

 

Do you feel it is worth risking the shinsa fee? I always like to leave a little wiggle room in case I want something else.

 

Also, I have noticed several blades on AOI recently that state the inscription "looks good" or is "exact", but reservations are made in regards to a shinsa pass guarantee? Are really high end/ mastered inscriptions a big thing now?

 

Best,

James

[Katsujinken]

Generally if Aoi won’t guarantee a pass it means quite simply that they don’t think it will pass.

 

But ultimately you have to decide.

 

I don’t know why someone would fake this signature on a yari, but you can see (as they note) a different texture on the nakago over the signature. Maybe someone tried to get the signature to stand out? Who knows...

[Ken-Hawaii]

The usual reasons for shinsa are to get some provenance, & to increase a blade's resale value. Whether either of those are applicable to a yari is, as Michael points out, your decision.

[Bazza]

James, from me congratulations on a good buy.  It is what it is, or appears to be from Aoi's description, a sengoku jidai yari complete with pole, hirumaki, saya with mon etc etc etc.  I wouldn't bother at all with Shinsa on this.  To me it is a nice and complete period piece, a good addition to any collection.  I would have it!!  Not mentioned, but to me it looks a little like a sasaho yari (just google it) - bamboo leaf form.  The only reason for which you might put it to Shinsa is to confirm its age, if that is a concern to you, and upon that I cannot comment.

 

Best regards,

BaZZa.

[EastCoast]

Thank you all for your thoughts. Every time I read through posts on this board I realize that I have so much more to learn. I'll admit though that I buy on how the piece speaks to me. One day that may burn me on the financial side of the house.

 

KJ - My thoughts exactly!

 

KH - Curiosity has cost me several times, which is OK. This looks older than Edo Kanbun and that has me wondering. Do you agree with AOI's age estimate or have any further insights?

 

BaZZa - I looked it up. You are right! I will be able to appreciate it a little more knowing that. It's always pleasant to be able to have nature as a reference when viewing a piece - like a thoughtful hamon.