A question about NBTHK (and others) rating policies

[Drago]

Hi,

 

I recently have been looking for an affordable blade. Being new to sword collecting the main thing I am looking for is the existence of a certificate for blades I am interested in. Since some of you have advised me against buying one blade I asked your opinions for, I have started wondering about the rating policies of NBTHK and others.

 

The sword in question had a few flaws, but still was rated tokubetsu hozon. How is that possible for a blade with obvious flaws? I know the rating doesn't say anything about the value of the blade but rather about it being "a good (better, best, extraordinary) example of swordcrafting that should be preserved for posterity".

 

So, how can a flawed blade be rated tokubetsu hozon? I would think obvious flaws would never been any kind of example for swordcrafting...

 

Can you explain that to me?

 

Thanks.

[Guido]

Do yourself a favor and calm down, Tobias - you're asking the wrong questions, and obviously open just another thread if you don't like the answers you previously got. If you're serious about Nihontô, do what Andreas sensibly recommended, and join the European branch of the NBTHK. Not many people are as fortunate as you to have some extremely knowlegable collectors so close, combined with the opportunity to see first rate swords on a regular basis without actually travelling to Japan.

[Drago]

Guido,

 

I appologize if this question might have sounded outraged. This is not the way it was meant to sound. I liked the answers in the other thread just fine. I am not so stupid as to stubbornly insist on my opinion when people who are much more experienced and knowledgabe than me give me their honest opinion and advice. On the contrary, I highly value it.

 

The reason I asked is purely to further my knowledge. That is why I asked for an explanation.

[paulb]

Tobias,

Go on to the links page and the first page of commercial sites and go to Nihontocraft. This is Danny Massey's site and on there you will find explanations of the papering system of the major appraisal bodies.

this may help explain the criteria for papering and the different level of papers.

regards

paul

ps I fully agree with Guido try and visit and join the European branch of the NBTHK. You will gain a lot from the experience and very quickly.