Buying Nihonto from Japan

[Shugyosha]

1 hour ago, jono1uk said:

Thanks certainly not rushing .. still doing research  ..  how many times a year is the fair? 

And I know his stock may change but is he likely to have around my budget + maybe 20% ish.

It’s every 3 months: https://www.birminghamarmsfair.com

[The Blacksmith]

2 hours ago, jono1uk said:

from the UPS Website..

 

Bladed products: It is forbidden to sell and deliver bladed products at a UK residential address without verifying that the recipients are over 18 years of age.

So not banned if you can verify age on delivery.

 

No, not banned, but many dearlers simply don't want the hassle, and possible risk of losing the item and its possible destruction.

As for Japan not sending items, I have this very day received a tanto for a friend in the Uk for this very reason, the Japanese seller wouldn't send it to the UK! I will forward, and hopefully, as it has before, will go well.

[jono1uk]

Morning All

 

 

Just heard back from Igor ..and my 2k wont get me what I want ..well not from him anyway.

 

Jon 

[Nukitsuke]

35 minutes ago, jono1uk said:

Morning All

 

 

Just heard back from Igor ..and my 2k wont get me what I want ..well not from him anyway.

 

Jon 

Outside of a "hozon" rating, what are you looking for out of curiousity?

[jono1uk]

1 hour ago, Nukitsuke said:

Outside of a "hozon" rating, what are you looking for out of curiousity?

Am looking to purchase (soon)   a Katana and and maybe a Wakizashi.

[Ekan]

2 minutes ago, jono1uk said:

Am looking to purchase (soon)   a Katana and and maybe a Wakizashi.

Any specific school/smith and time period you're after? The £2000 budget will for sure be a hard restriction, especially for a katana.

 

Shipping nihonto from Japan to the UK is very difficult/expensive. I've had discussions with several Japanese dealers recently and none of the standard shipping companies appear to be willing to ship to the UK. Most likely you have to use shipping companies that specialize in shipping high-value art objects and they are quite expensive (around £500-£800). I think it doesn't make much sense to spend that much on shipping for a £2000 sword.

 

[Matsunoki]

Give us more of a clue…

Koshirae required?

Koto/Shinto/shinshinto/gendai/shinsakuto?…..or just anything?

Gunto mounts OK?

In polish or near enough?

Suriage ok?

 

 

[jono1uk]

2 hours ago, Matsunoki said:

Give us more of a clue…

Koshirae required?  yes

Koto/Shinto/shinshinto/gendai/shinsakuto?…..or just anything? Anything as long as not WW2 factory made Gunto mounts OK? rather no

t but I may not have a choice 

In polish or near enough? near enough ,,more concerned it wont have rust chips etc 

Suriage ok? yup 

 

 

 

 

[Tetsu]

Its bonkers that there's so much fuss in the UK over antique swords, when someone can create something more dangerous in their shop with a bit of scrap metal in less than an hour.

 

At the risk of kicking the hornets nest too hard, there are religious exemptions in the UK for long blades, including wearing them in public.  I would cheer for empathy being equally extended (or more so) to collectors whose ancestors defended UK soil, like my Granddad. 

[Alex A]

Jon, £2000. If your lucky you may find a Katana in koshirae at an arms show for that price. You wont find one with papers and you will be lucky if the polish is good. Koshirae can be hit and miss, often with parts missing, worn or modern cheap parts added to it. 

 

You probably will have more chance of finding one in ww2 fittings, though usually they need polish.

 

Why dont you just look for a decent wak.

 

 

[Matsunoki]

If you don’t find anything beforehand contact me before the next Birmingham Fair in Sept. 

[Alans]

Jono1uk 

take Matsunoki up on his offer ,I can vouch for Colin he will help you beat he can. Honestly- I wouldn’t even consider importing any sword ( unless through a reputable agent ) 

 

[Nukitsuke]

Additionally, if I see anything here through my local dealer circles here I'll let you know (even though it sounds like avoiding importation might be what's best for you).  

 

 

19 hours ago, jono1uk said:

Give us more of a clue…

Koshirae required?  yes

Koto/Shinto/shinshinto/gendai/shinsakuto?…..or just anything? Anything as long as not WW2 factory made Gunto mounts OK? rather no

t but I may not have a choice 

In polish or near enough? near enough ,,more concerned it wont have rust chips etc 

Suriage ok? yup 

 

Is there any aspect of this that is negotiable...? For example, what if I saw an Edo period o-wakizashi (59.5 cm nagasa) with limited kizu, healthy proportions, fuji-ba (mount fuji style hamon), no koshirae, but has Hozon papers priced under your budget... Would that work, or is the no koshirae aspect a deal breaker for you? 



 

[jono1uk]

35 minutes ago, Nukitsuke said:

Additionally, if I see anything here through my local dealer circles here I'll let you know (even though it sounds like avoiding importation might be what's best for you).  

 

 

 

Is there any aspect of this that is negotiable...? For example, what if I saw an Edo period o-wakizashi (59.5 cm nagasa) with limited kizu, healthy proportions, fuji-ba (mount fuji style hamon), no koshirae, but has Hozon papers priced under your budget... Would that work, or is the no koshirae aspect a deal breaker for you? 
 

Hi 

Thank you for your reply 

What i have listed is what i really want  ..also .although i would like a Wakizashi eventually  ..a Katana  needs to come 1st  .. 

My feeling is that i am probably better going down the UK route.

@Matsunoki thank you  ..i have had a setback on my work front so may not be before the September fair but will defo be in touch.

 

[Nukitsuke]

Duly noted! Best of luck to you!

 

-Mitchell

[Julien]

@jono1uk in case you are interested (again, depending what you want), I will soon list a shinshinto gassaku (forged by two smiths) katana (65cm nagasa), in shirasaya, with Hozon papers. I am happy to share you pictures and more details as a preview. And if the sword does attract you, I can tag you once the NMB sale post is finalized. 

(Ps: I am based in Japan, and do know someone that import swords in UK)

[Chord]

My take is that most knowledgeable people on this forum generally do not recommend that non-expert US and European buyers consider Japan as the primary place to buy from.  I bought from Japan a few years ago and the experience was very good - but it seems much more difficult now despite the favorable Yen exchange.  Besides US tariffs (and perhaps more restrictive UK/European policies) did the market change as well (in recent years)?