hxv Posted March 20, 2012 Report Posted March 20, 2012 Good morning all, I have a Nambokucho (possibly late Kamakura) katana I would like to submit to NBTHK shinsa. Does anyone on this board know of a reputable third-party shinsa service he/she would recommend? I have been up and down the web, but nothing beats a recommendation from people on this board. Thank you so much in advance, Hoanh Quote
kusunokimasahige Posted March 20, 2012 Report Posted March 20, 2012 No need to post the same message twice Hxv... There will be someone who reads it for sure. KM Quote
hxv Posted March 20, 2012 Author Report Posted March 20, 2012 Hi, I'm sorry. I wasn't sure I posted my message on the appropriate board. Hoanh. Quote
cabowen Posted March 20, 2012 Report Posted March 20, 2012 I have sent things for people. Bob Benson offers this service. I believe that the Kashima sisters of Usagi-ya in Saitama, Japan, do as well.... Please be aware with the strong yen, it is going to be very expensive. Usually people send for polish and get the shinsa afterwards. Quote
Clive Sinclaire Posted March 20, 2012 Report Posted March 20, 2012 Gentlemen, NBTHK shinsa costs have actually just increased and are now: Torokusho: Yen 6,300 (not NBTHK, of course) Hozon: Yen 25,000 (Yen 10,000 if rejected) Tokubetsu Hozon: Yen 35,000 (must already have Hozon, Yen 10,000 if rejected) Hozon and Tokubetsu Hozon together Yen 55,000 Juyo Token: Yen 200,000 (Yen 21,000 if rejected) Tokubetsu Juyo: Yen 340,000 (Yen 35,000 if rejected) As Chris mentioned, it is usual to put swords into shinsa when they are already in Japan for poishing. Whilst no cheaper, it will already have Torokusho and there are certain economies of scale, such as only one shipping cost etc.. However, with the punishing rate of exchange with the yen against most currencies, it may be worth shelving the project for a year or two although, of course, I guess the rate could then get even worse! Clive Sinclaire PS: I have thoroughly depressed myself writing the above! Quote
kusunokimasahige Posted March 20, 2012 Report Posted March 20, 2012 Here is the price in Euros when a sword passes : Torokusho : 57,87 Hozon : 225,70 Tok.Hoz.: 316,01 Hoz+TokHoz: 496,62 Juyo Token: 1806,01 Tok.Juyo : 3070,21 (Xe Currency converter mid market rate, 21-03-2012 : 00.38 Amsterdam time) Am i an idiot or is this truly ridiculous ? Imho you buy a paper attesting (not proving) your sword to a smith, as well as a judgement which enhances the value of course for certain collectors, and if you are lucky and you get a Juyo Token or Tokubetsu Juyo rating you pay as much as a sword in the cheaper range ? Sorry but I will most likely never send a sword to Shinsa. The Juyo Token rating is more than a months salary for many. KM Quote
cabowen Posted March 20, 2012 Report Posted March 20, 2012 It is all relative...A sword ranked Juyo Token can be worth anywhere from $20K to $150,000. The shinsa fee is paltry compared to what the sword may be worth if it passes... Sword collecting has never been a hobby for those with a thin wallet.... Quote
kusunokimasahige Posted March 20, 2012 Report Posted March 20, 2012 You are definetely right about that Chris It is just that i sometimes am totally amazed at the thickness of wallet needed to truly own a gem.... For a sword of 150.000 US$ many could buy a house... so I sometimes imagine someone living in a tent somewhere who owns one truly amazing sword. Hahahahaha KM This week the TEFAF antiques fair is held in Maastricht, the Netherlands... a lot of art of about the same price class if not higher... http://www.tefaf.com/ Quote
hxv Posted March 23, 2012 Author Report Posted March 23, 2012 My sword is in a good polish, but I have no idea if it's good enough to submit for shinsa. I have arranged with Mr. Benson to send pics for his opinion of getting a new polish or not. If it does require a new polish, I won't submit for shinsa. If it does not need a new polish, yah, shinsa here we come! Hoanh Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted March 24, 2012 Report Posted March 24, 2012 For a sword of 150.000 US$ many could buy a house... so I sometimes imagine someone living in a tentsomewhere who owns one truly amazing sword. Hahahahaha Henk-Jan, that's truer than you may think. I just met a guy who lives in his upholstery shop who owns a papered Kiyomaro blade & two other high-end Nihonto. The shop is run down, stray cats running through it, but he says he's happier having the Nihonto rather than owning a house. Of course $150,000 here in Hawaii wouldn't buy you any place I'd want to live, anyway.... Ken Quote
nagamaki - Franco Posted March 24, 2012 Report Posted March 24, 2012 Additionally, do not forget that in order to submitt for Juyo you must have an NBTHK membership, and depending upon who you use there will be additional fees added on. All meaning you had better know what you're submitting very well ahead of time. Quote
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