i want to buy my first samurai sword...need advice

[Henry Wilson]

Not too fussed on dealers myself and I know a few high-end collectors here in Japan who think even worse. Their 30% mark-up (at least) to re-coup their investment is just way too crass for us real students. Who else would strip koshirae to sell the tosogu individually??? Can't find the vomit smily so

[cabowen]

Only 30% markup? After I obtained an antique dealer's license (required to attend the dealer only auctions) and started going to some of these dealer auctions I realized that the markup was around 50%-60% in most cases. Maybe the recession has finally had an effect...

 

On a related note, I remember going to one of the sword shops in Shizuoka run by a family. Everytime I would go there (maybe once a month) the son would whine and complain the whole time about how bad business was, how he was broke, how the sword business was going down the toilet, etc....One time, after his usual rant, he says to his sister, "Give me the keys to the car, I am so depressed over the situation I am just going to go home...." She turns to him and says, "Which car, the Porsche or the Benz?".........

 

Sorry for the off topic post....perhaps there is something of potential benefit to the new collector to be found in it....