price list

[John A Stuart]

Hi All, I am having a discussion on another board about the price one would pay for arms and armour at the time they were made. I have quoted some appraisal values the the Hon'ami family had put on some swords and tried to equate it to relative values that would be today's' equivalent. However the fellow would like to know what the price would be at that time irrespective of appraised values. Has anyone seen a reference to what particular items would cost say late Edo in terms of ryo, tael or koku? I've checked my references but this is not available data. Thanks, John

[Guido]

Inami Hakusui wrote that Kotetsu sold his swords for 100 Ryô (a gold coin containing 18 gramms of gold). 100 Ryô were 600 Koku; the Yoriki (assistant magistrates), for instance, earned 200 Koku a year.

[John A Stuart]

Hi Guido, That's a good reference. I had read previously that a sword had an appraisal by Hon'ami of 100 gold pieces and it was of a good smith as I recall. Kotetsu as I have learned was an excellent smith and a hundred ryo must be a price for a high quality sword. I find it strange that there is very little to be found on prices for arms and armour. I will pass on this info, thanks. John