Katana appraisal near NC?

corwise

corwise

Joined
Nov 10, 2006
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Good afternoon. I just returned to the States after spending the past 5 years in Okinawa, Japan. While there I purchased a Katana and a wakizashi. Both came with NTHK certificates. Even so, I'd like to have them looked at by a second set of eyes and get their take on them. My google-fu is weak today, unable to find any sort of specialist or organization nearby I can take them to. I don't mind driving a day or so if that's what it takes to get them looked at. Anyone know of an expert around this area? Thanks.

Dave

ps. In case someone was wondering, I bought them through http://new.uniquejapan.com/japanese-swords/. They take care of all legal paperwork, etc, and ship them to the States legally.

If you'd like photos, this is the wakizashi: http://new.uniquejapan.com/a-kanesada-wakizashi/?com=Swords. He doesn't have pics of the katana on his web site but I can post some if people are interested.
 
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Not sure exactly what you are trying to determine; legitimacy of the papers, value ??? You state they both came with papers from the NTHK.
I can't think of anyones opinion that I would regard more highly than the shinsa teams attribution.

I saw the photos of the wakizashi and the papers clearly state Oshu Aizu Kanesada. The papers also state Genroku era (1688-1704). One thing here, 1688 falls into the Shinto period, not Koto. But that is a discrepancy with the original listing not the shinsa results. There were several generations of Aizu Kanesada, third generation was recorded as working c. 1688.

The wakizashi nakago looks a little strange where they inscribed the body test, but if the Shinsa team didn't have a problem with it, neither would I. I personally wouldn't recommend paying to have it submitted to another shinsa. I own an Aizu Kunisada and was once informed by Tanobe San, former head of the NBTHK, there is not a lot of information on the Aizu swordsmiths, so I don't know if you would find out too much more from anyone. Note however, this was about ten years ago and I do not know how much new information may have become available since then.

As far as the Katana, I haven't seen it, but the only reason I could see to re-submit it to shinsa would be if it was mumei and you disagreed with the attribution and hoped to get a different one.
 
Southern: I guess I'm just trying to confirm what the guy who sold them to me said. I trusted him enough to buy the things, but since I couldn't read the certificate I just wanted a second eyes on the entire set. You saying the certificate looks right helps, I'm rather cynical sometimes. Wasn't really looking to resubmit and pay someone to give it a full inspection, just a quick appraisal and opinion. Thanks much.
 
Ok, kinda what I thought just wasn't sure. But yes, the wakizashi is signed "Kanesada". There are many smiths who used the Kanesada name, the NTHK Shinsa team has attributed it to "Aizu Kanesada" of the Genroku era c.1688.

Though just to throw a little mud in the water, Fuishiro writes the Shodai c.1596 signed "Oshu Aizu Kanesada", the Nidai c.1624 signed "Oshu ju Kanesada", and the Sandai c.1688 signed "Omi no Daijo Fujiwara Kanesada". Here is where it gets muddy, did the shinsa team attribute it to "Oshu Aizu Kanesada" indicating the Shodai ? If so why did they attribute it to Genroku ? There is nearly 100 years between the working dates of the shodai and sandai. (????) Did the sandai change his mei after receiving the "Omi no Kami" title. ?? Who knows, but as I said in my earlier post there is not a wealth of information regarding these Aizu smiths. Keep in mind as well that "papers" are not a guarantee, but the shinsa teams best guess.

Your is signed only "Kanesada". Part of the signature may have been removed in order to inscribe the Tameshigiri attribution, or it was just signed this way. But IMHO part of the mei was removed. I say this due to the mei being so low on the nakago. I suspect it was originally signed "Omi no Daijo Fujiwara Kanesada". If it had been signed niji mei (two character) it seems to me that it would been placed higher on the nakago. Just my opinion, which along with $5 will get you a coffee most places.

Hope this helps.
 
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Ok.

Did you feel you got a decent price on the swords?

Are you looking to sell them at some point?

The wakizashi as fully mounted and in excellent shape and polish with very good fittings and shira saya will bring moderate $$ due to the afformentioned "mystery" of the swordmaking ryu...you probably will not ever get a "lot" of money in a resale.

Obviously, it's real, and if I was looking for a nice set to hang on the wall, this would be a good one.

Also, if it was me, would go to the meet that I linked to to look around anyway, and bring the swords with me. Since you already have papers and are not looking for a formal secondary certification, there will most likely be someone at the show willing to look at the swords and give you an educated opinion, as Southern Comfort has done.

Token kai are a lot of fun regardless....if I didn't hate San Francisco with a passion for political reasons, I would attend their token kai every year.

You should have seen the baggage folks eyes when I opened up my Pelican case full of swords, lolz.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
there will most likely be someone at the show willing to look at the swords and give you an educated opinion
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No doubt, if you bring them to Tampa, you will get all the opinions you can stand :-)

Steve is correct, anyone who has an interest in Japanese swords should go to at least one Token Kai. You will be overwhelmed with swords, fittings and related items to see.
Tampa in February would be the closest to you (no Shinsa this year). There is talk of having another show/shinsa in Minneapolis in the future, but nothing confirmed. Show in Chicago in April(Shinsa), San Francisco in August and the mother of all shows, the Dai Token Ichi in Tokyo in November.
 
corwise said:
Good afternoon. I just returned to the States after spending the past 5 years in Okinawa, Japan. While there I purchased a Katana and a wakizashi. Both came with NTHK certificates. Even so, I'd like to have them looked at by a second set of eyes and get their take on them. My google-fu is weak today, unable to find any sort of specialist or organization nearby I can take them to. I don't mind driving a day or so if that's what it takes to get them looked at. Anyone know of an expert around this area? Thanks.

Dave

ps. In case someone was wondering, I bought them through http://new.uniquejapan.com/japanese-swords/. They take care of all legal paperwork, etc, and ship them to the States legally.

If you'd like photos, this is the wakizashi: http://new.uniquejapan.com/a-kanesada-wakizashi/?com=Swords. He doesn't have pics of the katana on his web site but I can post some if people are interested.
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I'm an army vet who lives in the hickory nc area and collect Nihonto. I am interested in Aizu blades and wouldn't mind a look. There are a couple Nihonto guys around here.
 
Thanks. It looks like a Shinsa is in Chicago. Not sure if I will submit anything. depends on this nihonto I have on its way back from the polisher and if I trust anyone going.
 
Would like a chance to talk to corwise. Doesn't look like I can pm yet. If you're interested in Japanese swords or want to learn more, hit me up.
 
jason_mazzy said:
Would like a chance to talk to corwise. Doesn't look like I can pm yet. If you're interested in Japanese swords or want to learn more, hit me up.
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I do believe that you can send him an e-mail.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Nihonto collectors and enthusiasts, I am starting the North Carolina (and surrounding areas) Nihonto Club. The famed author Markus Sesko will be leading several educational classes for the club and will be leading us towards an advancement of knowledge. I am looking for those in NC and the surrounding states who are willing to travel to be a part of this amazing opportunity to learn under one of the best. Please join me in the facebook room and let's schedule the best dates, locations, and times to make these quarterly meetings happen. Thank you for your time.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/740958196003380/
 
jason_mazzy said:
Nihonto collectors and enthusiasts, I am starting the North Carolina (and surrounding areas) Nihonto Club. The famed author Markus Sesko will be leading several educational classes for the club and will be leading us towards an advancement of knowledge. I am looking for those in NC and the surrounding states who are willing to travel to be a part of this amazing opportunity to learn under one of the best. Please join me in the facebook room and let's schedule the best dates, locations, and times to make these quarterly meetings happen. Thank you for your time.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/740958196003380/
Click to expand...

Best of luck to you!

I was one of the founding Board Members for the Custom Knife Collectors Association, feel free to ask any questions if you have any.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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