New purchase

[fozz]

Decided to have a punt. What do you think?

 

https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/shop/product/antique-Japanese-sword-wakizashi-attributed-to-second-gen-sadakuni-nthk-kanteisho-certificate/?currency=GBP

[klee]

It s all personal preference at the end of the day depending on what the buyer likes.

 

But a mumei edo wakizashi without NBTHK papers for over $3700.00 USD  is an extreme no for me personally 

[Bruno]

10 minutes ago, klee said:

without NBTHK papers

It has NTHK papers which is equal if not better.

[Robert S]

The battling attributions are interesting.  Beyond my knowledge level to understand exactly what characteristics led to that difference.

[Toki]

Just now, Bruno said:

It has NTHK papers which is equal if not better.

I was just about to post that. There isnt too much difference between the two

[fozz]

As a new nihonto(ist), I find all the paperwork from different eras interesting; part of the swords "life" & the gold appraisal stamps, which is another part of learning. For me, its not monetary (though it is part of the equation), its the history & that blade to me is a beauty! I like the aged aesthetics of the koshirae too. Ha ha fan if the saya design as well!

[Toki]

While papers are nice and as a beginner myself I too look mostly at papered blades, the more important thing is that you like the blade itself. The Topic wether to buy papers or the blade has been discussed here a lot, so if you are interested in reading about that, there is a few posts😅. 

For me personally they are just a level of security, since with my limited knowledge it is easy to make mistakes. Although, if I saw a blade I really really like without papers I would probably go for it.

Your Waki is an attractive blade and I´m sure you´ll have a good time studying it! The Koshirae adds to that as well, of course.
 

[fozz]

Papers as insurance isn't a bad thing, I wouldn't be confident without them. 

[Schneeds]

It has a pleasing sugata and as long as you know what you are getting and what the resell prospects are, you could certainly do a lot worse.  

 

Is that a large kitae-ware on the ura side up in the shinogi?  It's not the end of the world, but as Klee points out, it is a mumei shinto blade to begin with.  

[Toki]

Seems like it? Good spotting though

[Mark S.]

Papers should be a start of your research journey, not the end.  They are a very educated opinion, but there is so much more to learn depending on what they say or don’t say.  

[fozz]

Is this the kitae-ware referred to?  

 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/NKjtcUQCkmgsW5AZA

Edited Thursday at 07:32 AM by fozz

[Schneeds]

Yes.  It's down to personal tolerance, but that's not a big deal.  Was hard to tell the extent in the original pictures.  

[Jussi Ekholm]

I do think it is a tricky item.

 

It supposedly has a Hon'ami Kinpun mei to Horikawa Kunitomo. However I don't think either organization sees that one as legitimate. You have the old NBTHK papers just stating there is a kinpun mei Kunitomo, this often (not always) sees them questioning the authencity of the kinpun mei. Likewise NTHK mentions the kinpun mei in their paper but in their opinion their attribution is to a different smith.

 

Horikawa Kunitomo is very good smith, and unfortunately I wouldn't see this as his work either. I do like the size and shape as I like big hirazukuri blades but the quality and details for what I can see from the pictures would not push me towards good smiths of Horikawa lineage. I am not good at kantei and I think most of my references are for the very good smith 1st Sadakuni but they specify 2nd generation in their attribution.

[fozz]

Ha ha, it is a tricky one, but a good conversation piece, which must add to the value!!

[fozz]

On a serious note. If both assessment bodies have different opinions on the sword & the differing opinions on the maker; where does this leave the sword as far as grading level?

 

Would it need to go for a reappraisal?

 

Would the kinpun mei be erased?

 

Sorry if these are daft questions.......

[klee]

The green ( old ) nbthk paper doesnt really have any value today unfortunately. 

 

If resale was a concern then a new NBTHK shinsa submission would be wise but that would put this blade at well north of $4000 usd in investment which is equivalent to some very nice signed Hozon/Toku Hozon wakizashi in todays market so I personally dont think it s worth it. Plus you d be waiting about 4-6 months for the blade and paper 

 

I would just stick with the NTHK paper if you love the blade and plan on keeping it 

[fozz]

Hi Klee, 

 

For me it's just for the enjoyment.