RW-Maryland Posted March 23 Report Posted March 23 Hello, I am trying to find out where to get a trustworthy appraisal for a Japanese sword. This sword was given to my father after World War II. He was a provost marshal in Japan and commanded a Japanese regiment. Upon his departure they gifted him this sword. It is a wakazashi - and came with a documented history - I have no idea what it contains but I am looking to find someone to translate it. I am told the sword is 400+ years old. It is in pristine condition - I am considering putting it on the market depending on what the findings are. I am attaching the history - thanks in advance for any advice on where to turn for this! /Roland Weeks 1_SamuraiSword_History.pdf Quote
ROKUJURO Posted March 23 Report Posted March 23 If the blade is shorter than 606 mm, it is a WAKIZASHI. If you want to post some good photos here on NMB, we could give you a comment. Appraisals are usually made in Japan. For translations, we have a translation section. Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted March 23 Report Posted March 23 I've edited and turned them for easy reading for the translators: @SteveM @uwe @Ray Singer Blade, once we see it, might be moved over to the Nihonto section for better evaluation. 1 Quote
Scogg Posted March 23 Report Posted March 23 Your download appears to be the paperwork that would have been with the sword while it was in Japan. It states the length, and that the paperwork itself was legally required to be with the sword. As I understand it, the paperwork is not an appraisal or authetification in itself, but rather is a legal document. If you have photos of the blade itself, people here could offer input and opinions. A quick google-image translation reveals the following in my attached images below: (Please understand that google-translate is subject to errors. But this at least provides the basics of the content of the paperwork.) Best, -Sam 1 Quote
Ray Singer Posted March 23 Report Posted March 23 In terms of the swordsmith: 三州吉田住広房 (Sanshū Yoshida ju Hirofusa). You may need to create an account to view the link below. https://nihontoclub.com/smiths/HIR216 2 1 Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted March 23 Report Posted March 23 Nice, late 1500's! Sam, love that google translate "Fully assembled moped" Ha! 2 Quote
RW-Maryland Posted March 23 Author Report Posted March 23 Thanks so much to everyone for such a quick and comprehensive response! I went and took some photos and closeups - let me know your thoughts. Looks like it will have to be several posts to get all the pics. The sword has a small knife in sheath in the scabbard with a shrimp for the end of the handle... someone had told me they thought it was from a fishing town or on the coast. 1 Quote
RW-Maryland Posted March 23 Author Report Posted March 23 (edited) knife in sheath in scabbard Edited March 23 by RW-Maryland Quote
RW-Maryland Posted March 23 Author Report Posted March 23 (edited) knife close up on characters on blade Edited March 23 by RW-Maryland Quote
RW-Maryland Posted March 23 Author Report Posted March 23 (edited) Characters on back of knife handle Edited March 23 by RW-Maryland Quote
RW-Maryland Posted March 23 Author Report Posted March 23 I was told by one of the many "experts" over the years that this sword would never have been allowed to leave Japan and would be considered a national treasure. Color me skeptical of course. I know there are only a few legit sources for appraising a sword of any value and I expect most if not all are in Japan.... Quote
Mark Posted March 23 Report Posted March 23 it is unfortunate this was not posted last week. there were several sword experts (at least knowledgeable) attending a show near Baltimore MD saturday and sunday you could have had it examined in hand. If there is no rush we will be back next year you could always bring it to the Chicago sword show or Orlando show Quote
Ray Singer Posted March 23 Report Posted March 23 Unfortunately the sword does not have that level of importance, and the 'expert' you gave you that feedback was not one. It is a nice and collectible antique wakizashi, with a blade dating to the late Muromachi period (if the attribution on the paper is correct) and is mounted in fittings from the Edo period. If you sent it to Japan for current certification you would not have a challenge exporting it again (the sword would not be seized as a National Treasure). That used to be something it was common to hear collectors told here in the US, a 'conventional wisdom' that Japanese swords returning would be seized and not returned. It is a false wisdom in almost all cases. There are also certification events (shinsa) held in the US every year or so, and you can check back at the website below to see when the next such event is scheduled. https://nthkamerica.com/ 1 Quote
RW-Maryland Posted March 23 Author Report Posted March 23 Great information - thank you so much! I think I will plan on the Baltimore show next year - we are in western MD near Pittsburgh. @Ray Singer - I have zero frame of reference - based on what you shared, and only going from pictures, what kind of range would we be talking about for value? 100's? 1000's? I will definitely plan on bringing to that show. Quote
Ray Singer Posted March 23 Report Posted March 23 Roland, you have not shown us the nakago (tang) of the sword which is the most important feature of the blade to see. It is not a good idea to estimate value based on photos vs. in-hand inspection, however a range of $950 - $1,500 is likely where were are looking at. 1 Quote
RW-Maryland Posted March 23 Author Report Posted March 23 Oh boy - I don't think I would want to tackle trying to undress that sword. I understand though. Thanks so much for your insight! I will look to visit a show and have it looked at.... Quote
John C Posted March 23 Report Posted March 23 Roland: The small knife is a kozuka (short knife handle). The blade by itself is a kogatana (small knife). Both appear to be signed and decent quality. Not sure in this case, however many of these have the potential to be worth more than the sword so treat it kindly as well. These small knives are sometimes made by known swordsmiths and many are made by lesser smiths who put an "homage" signature on them. Overall, a very nice piece of history. John C. Quote
Grey Doffin Posted March 23 Report Posted March 23 Hi Roland, Here you will find a brochure on care and cleaning; it explains how to remove and replace the handle. You would do yourself and the sword a big favor if you read this at least once. And, don't try to fix anything; leave it as is. https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/ Grey Quote
Scogg Posted Tuesday at 03:34 AM Report Posted Tuesday at 03:34 AM @RW-Maryland Now that we’ve seen your sword, I’m going to relocate this to the Nihonto section Best of luck, and thank you for sharing your blade with us. -Sam Quote
Brian Posted Tuesday at 06:17 AM Report Posted Tuesday at 06:17 AM As Ray said, and I agree with his valuation. A fairly standard and mostly average wakizashi, thousands of these leave Japan every few years, there is absolutely nothing National Treasure about this. Fittings are average, and note that various themes on the fittings were common throughout Japan, the theme doesn't suggest location. Taking it apart is easy, they were designed to be routinely taken apart and it's only 1 wooden peg holding it all together. If you do, do not clean any portion of the tang as that patina is vital to sword appraisal and value. Quote
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