Papers and a MuMei Blade

[Justin Grant]

I am a little confused on the "paper" system. Let’s see if I can solicit some information from you on the various "groups" that paper mumei blades.

What could one expect from the following organizations if they were to submit a mumei blade for papers? What could be listed on the papers, what value, if any, would it add to the blade, and usefulness of the paperwork in subsequent sales? What other value is the information on the paperwork?

Let’s also assume for the sake of the arguments, the blade will "qualify" for papers. It is not sanded, buffed, rusted, etc.

 

NBTHK

NTHK

NBSK

NTHK-NPO

 

The reason I ask is that I have a Wakizashi that has been stated several times that it needs to go to Shinsa, so I am trying to figure out what, why, when and by whom. I see posts that refer to some papers being useless, others that question the color of the paper, etc. Seems to be a lot of opinions, but I can’t find a single source that outlines the pros and cons of each paper and group.

 

Thanks

 

Justin

[paulb]

Hi Justin,

A very good guide to papers and what standard is required is listed on Danny masseys website http://www.nihontocraft.com. The subjet has been much discussed on this board over the years and usually generates some heated exchange. At risk of starting another "debate" I would suggest the following:

1. For a sword to be papered by any otrganisation there must be enough detail visible to allow the panel to assess the features. The poorer the condition the harder it is to give an accurate judgement.

 

2. I think that currently the NBTHK is the most highly regarded papering authority and their papers offer greatest commercial benefit. Although not necessarily adding to the value, a sword with an NBTHK paper is generally easier to sell than one with no paper or papered by an alternative body. This is particularly the case when buying via the internet. I think this is confirmed if you look at the proportion of blades papered by the NBTHK which are for sale on Japanese dealer sites. There is undoubtedly a premium for papered blades simply because you are removing doubt about the authenticity. This doesnt mean they worth more, just that a papered blade is more likely to achieve its true market value than one that isnt.

 

3. What appears on the paper depends on the level of paper and the organisation. One critism of the NBTHK is when they fail a blade they do not offer additional information whereas when the NTHK fail a blade they will tell you what they think it is. I am not sure about the NPO having not had anything appraised by them but I am sure Chris can confirm whether they do or dont.

 

4 On a basic NBTHK Hozon paper, they will state what they think the blade is, confirm its length and period of manufacture.

 

5. On Juyo papers (or at least the supporting zufu entry) the NBTHK will also describe the features of the blade.

hope this helps

[Jim P]

Hi Justin if you live outside Japan the NTHK is the only one that will issue authentication papers. and as Brian would say ""NBTHK vs NTHK vs whoever" debate. I think we all know how that will go." :D A link if you don't have one (http://yakiba.com/papers.htm)

[Justin Grant]

I am not looking for any debate over who is better, so I am sorry if that will happen.

 

I am looking for what one can expect to receive from NBTHK on a mumei wakizashi, will they only assign a Honzon paper, and if so, what would that do in terms of benefit to the sword in the long run? Trying to undersand what one receives for the money this costs.

 

We all talk about the sword and the value of a polish and how to "recoup" the cost, etc, so how does papering a mumei blade fit into this type of thought?

 

My Wakizashi is polished, at least 90+% of the polish remains. It has a few scuffs in the polish, but looks great. No flaws of any kind, it is a Koto Tachi that was cut down and mounted in early/mid Edo mounts/saya. Just wondering what the benefit would be... And by whom if I were to send it in. I was considering the NTHK-NPO for next year, but Bob Benson suggested that if I send it to NBTHK, I would only get Honzon papers. I don't know enough to understand the rational and best decision to make. Why only Honzon, is that the best one can get from a mumei blade?

 

Again, I am not looking to start a heated discussion on who is better... Just trying to understand what my best options are and why.

 

Thanks

 

Justin (Lost in Papers) Grant

[paulb]

Hi Justin,

I have copied and pasted part of the NBTHK criteria below relating to Tokubetsu Hozon papers. As said above take a look on Danny's site for the full list:

Muromachi and Edo period mumei blades may not receive a Tokubetsu Hozon paper, as a rule. However, if a blade shows good workmanship, attributable to a famous smith, having ubu-nakago, and in good preservation, it may receive Tokubetsu Hozon paper.

 

Sending your sword to Japan can be both expensive and time consuming. If at the end of the process all the paper tells you is that it is an Edo period wakazashi it can also be an expensive disappointment. On the plus side Bob Benson is highly regarded and if he recommends going through that process he must consider it worthwhile. Perhaps a good compromise is to submit it at the NPO shinsa next year. Based on the result from that you could then decide if you wanted to submit to the NBTHK.

I can understand how confusing this process and the various options can seem but there is no black or white answer.

Regards

[Ted Tenold]

Justin,

 

The sword's quality is the first measure of potential return on investment. A Wakizashi attributed to a highly ranked smith will garner more than one attributed to a lower one. Fundamentally, the piece itself determines value. The papers only affirm the maker, but the blade demonstrates the quality. Papers, no matter who issues them, don't always add value.

 

As an example; if your mumei Waki receives base level papers (from any organization) to Shodai Tadayoshi, it will add more to the value than receiving papers to Bungo Takada. The market determines the value for any particular piece, and by that example, a Shodai Tadayoshi would be a speculatively better result than Bungo Takada. Conversely, a mumei Shodai Tadayoshi won't hold a candle to the value of a signed work by him. In the extreme example, an Ubu, one hole, zaimei Norishige tanto in phenominal condition with only Hozon papers will command a price exponentially higher to the vast majority of other Hozon swords. This kind of thing happens occasionally. An owner only wants to verify the mei and work at the base level and isn't so concerned about the resale value because at the end of the day, the piece determines the price.

 

The papers are for the next guy. That next guy might favor one organization over another and place greater merit on their assessments. But at the end of the day, if the sword is nice and high quality, the piece should speak for itself and the papers serve as a supporting element rather than "the sizzle that sells the steak".

[cabowen]

I will try to give you some more perspective......

 

As others have noted, papers can add value by validating signatures or giving attributions. If the attribution is to a well regarded smith or school, it can boost the value of the blade. If it is to a rather lowly ranked group, not so much.....

 

The main papering organizations in Japan is the NBTHK, followed by the NTHK-NPO. There are others (NTHK) but they paper few blades in Japan, in comparison.

 

The NBTHK carries the most weight and only papers in Japan. It is very costly due to shipping, import, export, agent fees, etc. With the strong yen, it can approach $1000 for Hozon, the lowest level. They may indicate a period and school for a mumei blade. If it fails, you will not be given a reason in most cases.

 

The NTHK-NPO will be in MInneapolis next October. Costs have not been set yet but it will be $300 or less. They will generally indicate a period and school, possibly a smith, for a mumei blade. If the blade should fail, they will definitely indicate the reason. If you have any further questions about this shinsa, feel free to contact me for details.

 

Disclosure: I am a director of the NTHK-NPO.