First post, first nihonto decision

[Harlekin2xs]

Hello again,

 

The search continues 😅 even though chances are someone else might snatch them, i thought i’d share what i found over the weekend.

 

This has an awesome looking hamon under light, it also states the pricing is because of polishing needs. Has no papers, which i’m not sure about. Any experience with the seller? Polishing it would be in budget i guess, any recommendations in Japan? Should i ask the seller? If polished might as well see if it gets any papers 🤷‍♂️

 

https://shop.nihontou.jp/products/detail/31634#gallery-1

 

Or this one, just no good pictures with light..

 

https://www.token-net.com/token/202509-46.html

 

As you see i’m not looking for names or schools or regions in particular.

 

Also some modern ones, they just lack the history part of things, otherwise are what i’m looking for more or less.

 

https://world-seiyudo.com/product/ka-080325/

 

and this one, which looks great 👍 

 

https://katanahanbai.com/en/katana/katana-higonokuni-akamatsutaro-kanehiro/

 

Thanks for opinions!

 

Christopher

[eternal_newbie]

Worth keeping in mind that the first two do not appear to be papered, which will greatly hamper your ability to resell, especially if it's already signed. Add that on top of polishing costs and you're looking at a fair amount of risk for something that will likely end up gimei (since Hozon is fairly trivial for an antique blade in Japan).

 

The Akamatsu Taro smiths are a pretty interesting group (disclaimer: I have a sword that I commissioned from Kanemitsu/Mitsuhiro, the current head of the family). They make their own tamahagane and are known for long, impressive swords for martial arts use, and art swords aimed at reproducing Kiyomaro (and typically succeeding quite well).

[drbvac]

Here is a seller in Canada so you have no problems getting the blades out of Japan and all papered who I would strongly recommend as I have dealt with him for over 20 years !!

https://nihontoart.com/product-category/katana-tachi/

 

You should try and establish a relationship with a knowledgeable, fair, honest dealer who if they do not have what you want right now have access to blades and can often get you what you want their next trip.

[Brian]

11 hours ago, drbvac said:

Here is a seller in Canada so you have no problems getting the blades out of Japan and all papered who I would strongly recommend as I have dealt with him for over 20 years !!

https://nihontoart.com/product-category/katana-tachi/

 

You should try and establish a relationship with a knowledgeable, fair, honest dealer who if they do not have what you want right now have access to blades and can often get you what you want their next trip.

Nick is well regarded. Plus he's one of the on-board dealers here, so they usually are highly regarded and approachable.

[Lewis B]

And Nick is regular attendee at the Japan Art Fair in Utrecht so would worth asking if he could bring it to Europe as part of his inventory.