I need to make a decision tonight. I’m posting this maybe in wrong area but I need help.

[R_P]

1 hour ago, Davo said:

I am going to look over all you sent. But I feel so much more relaxed after seeing some of the Nihonto sale listings.  Now I can see there is not going to be a shortage of options now or in the future.  I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to help me.  In fact I feel so much more calm now I can finally go to sleep. I have been awake for a few days looking at Nihonto and posting and talking to people.  So I will have questions after I am rested and clear minded. Lol.   Truly appreciate this. I am a registered nurse and I am used to helping people but not used to people actually helping me. 

Thank you for your service. Happy to help.

[klee]

This Naminohira Rayhan mentioned is such a beautiful piece. Plus it s ubu

 

https://www.toukenkomachi.com/index_en_tachi&katana_A060224.html

 

I was going to get it but something I liked more came up so I had to pass.

 

Naminohira has always been one of my favorite schools and they tend to be priced low and overlooked as a more functional school lacking in artistic features. It is also one of the only school where I prefer their Sue over their Ko counterpart

[Davo]

2 hours ago, klee said:

This Naminohira Rayhan mentioned is such a beautiful piece. Plus it s ubu

 

https://www.toukenkomachi.com/index_en_tachi&katana_A060224.html

 

I was going to get it but something I liked more came up so I had to pass.

 

Naminohira has always been one of my favorite schools and they tend to be priced low and overlooked as a more functional school lacking in artistic features. It is also one of the only school where I prefer their Sue over their Ko counterpart

I get the urge to buy when long time collectors like you and Rayhan recommend them but even more when you mention you almost bought it.  The reason the urge is more is because I am afraid I won’t have anyone to help me with other Nihonto and give opinions and info about the blade.  If you are in the forum a lot or if I see a Nihonto and have questions can I PM you and give link?  I have reached out to many people and I get help but unfortunately I find out they are not honest and target me due to my ignorance and inexperience. 

[klee]

Hi Dave 

 

Sure thing . Id be happy to give my honest opinion on anything but I must tell you that my collecting interest is very narrow and somewhat unusual mainly focusing on Sue Bizen, Kongo Hyoe, and Naminohira. But I love anything Koto esp schools connected to temples ( yamato schools ) 

[klee]

And like I said in the other thread. You need a starting point. Any of the swords Rayhan has posted will make a fine 1st purchase. Then start your collection from there and develop your collecting philosophy.

 

EVERYONE has a million different reason for purchasing and collecting swords. This is why you cant go by other proples opinion and bias.

 

For example, I can promise you that for every 1 person who likes that naminohira sword 10 others will dismiss it and bash it for what it is and what it s not.

 

Heck there was a recent thread where people where criticizing a  $160,000.00 Kotetsu so imagine for a $4000 to $6000 sword 

 

 

[Rivkin]

Unless you are already at a (very) high level, swords are basically commodity. Question is whether you enjoy it, whether it has (some) resale potential, whether you gain something from a sword (knowledge, understanding).

In this sense it is difficult to talk about "good" versus "bad" first sword - it is more about a person rather than a sword.

There is nothing per se wrong with your original two choices. 

The only thing I would recommend is looking first at 50 swords in real life and then buying the one you liked the most in your budget area. With papers. That's all.

 

You are not going to make a horrible mistake, nor are you going to discover a treasure. `Don't overthink it.

[Sebuh]

55 minutes ago, klee said:

 

 

Heck there was a recent thread where people where criticizing a  $160,000.00 Kotetsu so imagine for a $4000 to $6000 sword 

 

 

Whoopsie.. 

[Kotetsu1959]

David,

 

     You have picked out two nice wakizashi, either of which is a better choice than most folks make when they catch the bug. The input you have received urges you to first ask yourself, why you have to make a decision tonight? Could there be an even better choice that you will enjoy more if you take a bit more time? As has been pointed out, there are many nice swords searching for a home. Don't get in a hurry. There is always another train, and another sword. Don't wait forever, but don't rush.

     Knowledge is your friend, and it is your best friend as you begin collecting unless you are incredibly lucky to have a true mentor in this area. One exceptional mentor in the Dallas area, Keith Evans, is no longer around. He was was a person of great knowledge and integrity who had the opportunity to study and learn while he lived in Japan in the early sixties. We used to have a small sword study group, but Keith passed away and the other key member returned to Japan to live. I saw there was an Austin based group mentioned, but it does not look as though they are very active.

     There are a good many opportunities to examine Japanese swords in the U.S., but they will probably involve some travel. There used to be some sword shows in Dallas and Houston, but no more. Sword offerings at most gun shows are pretty poor unless you are extremely lucky. Get some books, and take the time to travel to one or two shows so you can see and handle different swords. You are more likely to select one that will hold your interest in the long run if you take more time to study.

     

[Davo]

On 8/7/2025 at 12:47 AM, Stephen said:

Davo

Your hell bent on buying a sword no matter the advice,  Go for it sometimes it's good learning tool.

 

We get several ppl like you a year.

You know how many are left, not many.

 

So I said get it out of your system if it's a mistake you learn from it, if it's hit all the better for you.

I’m ok. I just had to settle down.  I am actually rather serious about this.  I will wait and educate myself. Just so crazy nothing has had me this worked up ever. I normally have to educate myself on almost anything I get into or any purchases. By Nihonto has my emotions and rational thinking all scrambled up. I’m 53 so it’s not a youthful fling either. I really see myself getting serious. 

[Kantaro]

Forget the sword and get a wife...she will tell you what to do.

[R_P]

@Jussi Ekholm see now wives, that's an expensive hobby that is guaranteed to cost you 50% of your assets upon exit.

[Rawa]

42 minutes ago, Rayhan said:

@Jussi Ekholm see now wives, that's an expensive hobby that is guaranteed to cost you 50% of your assets upon exit.

Psychoterapy for free

[nulldevice]

59 minutes ago, Kantaro said:

Forget the sword and get a wife...she will tell you what to do.

My wife told me to buy she sword I liked at DTI! I think after spending 7 days in Japan and walking 20k steps a day, she was finally happy to find a place with padded chairs to sit down for a few hours while I browsed swords.
 

She’s a keeper! 

[Kantaro]

Just now, nulldevice said:

My wife told me to buy she sword I liked at DTI! I think after spending 7 days in Japan and walking 20k steps a day, she was finally happy to find a place with padded chairs to sit down for a few hours while I browsed swords.
 

She’s a keeper! 

 

Is she Japanese?

[nulldevice]

13 minutes ago, Kantaro said:

 

Is she Japanese?

Nope, rural town American! She obliged me on our Japan trip to see the NBTHK museum and spend half a day at DTI. It was our first Japan trip last November. 

[Robert S]

A fellow here where I live had made a few extra dollars (in construction) and wanted to build a boat.  His wife said "not until you've bought these specific lots so that you can build more houses in the future".. The lots were on the waterfront in Vancouver BC .  Today he's worth tens of millions.  Some wives are worth more than their weight in gold .