...Or anyone with a knowledge in them?

I have always been interested in Japanese swords and even studied them as a hobby when I was involved with martial arts. I lost interest in the hobby once I graduated high school and can't remember half the stuff I knew.

Anyway, my wife and I have decided to decorate our new house with a Japanese theme (she's Japanese). I can finally afford a decent sword to put above my mantel and wanted to know anyone knew of where I can get one.

I'm looking for a pre-1800 sword that's in relatively good condition and inexpensive. Most of the inexpensive ones are unsigned which is fine. I already know of eBay but was hoping to find something local where I can feel and see the sword.

Here's the current sword i'm watching:http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MEWA:IT

-Eric

 

http://members.aol.com/SFShinken/

 

I'd be a little worried about that one. The nakago looks too clean for a sword that old. it should be very dark. if that's been cleaned, it can hurt the value. If it hasn't been cleaned, then the sword is newer than advertised.

no shots good enough to make out a signature either.

The tsuba also looks very thin.

mabey if you could get the seller to put up some B&W pictures. Glare is obscuring any action visible in the hamon or hada.

 

did you get it?

 

yeah I'm also interested in them as well. There's this Japanese store, that sells strictly antique and beautiful Japanese swords, arts, home-ware etc, just trying to save up for a awesome sword or piece

 

Here you go:

http://www.ricecracker.com/

also, check out http://www.swordforum.com/
for information, particularly the japanese sword arts forums...

 

I decided against an older one because there seems to be a HUGE counterfeit Chinese market on eBay. If you buy an older sword with papers then it can get over $4000-30,000 easy through a private party.

I decided to buy a custom sword from the respected swordsmith, bugei. The blade is supposed to be one of the sharpest on the market and will take 6 months to make to my specifications. Damn thing wasn't cheap so I plan on storing it in a lockable display case... I hate buying stuff that's all show and no go. I want to be able to take off someone’s head with my toys.

Here's the sword:

 

What place is this? If it's in japantown then I think i've been there.

 

anyone got any leads for suits of armor?

 

yeah, my buddy makes armor, what are you looking for?

 

My grandpa has a WWII Japanese katana that he took off some soldier he shot. That thing is hella sharp, but doesn't look like a Katana from the Meiji or older periods.

 

Nah, I'm looking for something antique. Edo period-ish. :P

 

why do you require an antique blade?

If it's just for decoration purposes, there are plenty of quality, traditionally forged and fitted blades available made by American swordsmiths with quality bar none.


Here you go for all the swordsmithing needs you'll EVER need period:

http://www.swordforum.com/

Be warned, however, that this is a rather serious site populated by many of the top smiths, and practitioners of all kinds of swordsmanship and it may be newbie-unfriendly.



If, however, you are strictly going after the antique-ness, I'd strongly suggest a trading company specializing in buying up, autheticating swords, and reselling them. Ebay should not be trusted for such things, especially as you are rather novice and won't be able to tell the subtle differences between reals and fakes (I can't tell the difference sometimes, a lot of effort goes into making some fakes)

Good luck!

 

although you already bought it, i would stay away from swords on ebay.

if i ever manage to get the funds, i would get a shinken made for a couple grand. quality swords are not cheap. one blade i bought was $300 and that was the bottum end one.

 

Excellent choice.