Yushu saku or Juyo

[Jean]

Is NBTHK much more in use/court in Nihonto business than NTHK : judging by the certificates provided with on sale swords I should say : Yes undoubtedly. But Why? I have never seen on the web a Nihonto with a yushu saku certificate on sale (or I don't remember). Is it reserved to connoisseurs? Is the selection more drastic? Guido/Ted/Moriyama san/Reinhard what is your opinion on this?

[Grey Doffin]

One reason would be the large difference in the number of items involved. There have been 3 volumes of Yushu rated swords printed, with about 150 swords per volume. 450 swords total.

The 1st Juyo shinsa was in about 1953 and there has been one a year since. In some years there were close to 450 items passing to Juyo-Token. I don't know the total number but it is likely between 5 and 10 thousand.

Might it also be related to the natures of the 2 organizations? Correct me if mistaken but my impression of the NTHK during Yoshikawa Koen's life is of a smaller and more clubish group than the NBTHK. If this is so it seems that the good blades would be more likely to be traded among the members than on an open market. And lest anyone misunderstand, there is nothing bad about being smaller and clubish.

Any case, that's my take on the matter. Interested to hear other's take. Grey