beginners sword question!!
ok so iv always wanted a japenese sword but from what iv heard as always fakes abound!!! so what should i look for and also what kind or price range do they start off at??? thanks for any info you can give me!!!
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Hi, good question but it leaves alot of room for answers. What type of Japanese sword do you want? A WW2 sword or an older one? Do you want a sword to train with or one for a collection? I'm sure there are others here who can give you specifics but they will need more info.
Check out the various sites online for Japanese swords. Good luck. -
Sword
Buy books first, any of the Fuller and Gregory series, very reasonably priced, always on Ebay, books dont ever cost, they always pay.Comment
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i wouldnt mind one thats older then ww2 but a ww2 one would be find!!!what kinda prices do the books go for?oh and its not for training with either! just for me and my collection!!
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Presuming you mean traditional hand forgered swords, first start saving your money!...and then study study study.
There are many good web sites that get into Japanese swords pretty deeply and a few good books in English. This is an area not to be entered into lightly if you are indeed interested in the above.
Other Gunto and Japanese swords are not difficult to learn about, just stay away from ANYTHING from China.
CBComment
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Saying "I want to buy a Japanese sword" is a bit like saying "I want to buy a German medal". In the latter case you have the whole range from an attributable RK with oakleaves and swords to a Hindenburg Cross. Same with Japanese swords (although in the case of Japanese swords even the equivalent of a Hindenburg Cross standard will set you back a few hundred dollars !).
The advice to study, study, study is very good advice. I have 17 years experience in collecting and dealing in Japanese militaria but I would consider myself a novice when it comes to swords. It is an entire field of study in itself. Get yourself a copy of "Japanese Military and Civil Swords and Dirks" by Richard Fuller and Ron Gregory for starters and read it from cover to cover. Follow that with "The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords" by Kokan Nagayama (published by Kodansha). Once you have finished those two you will have the bare minimum of knowledge that you need to make an informed judgement about a Japanese sword purchase. Otherwise you risk throwing your hard earned money away.
Regards,
PaulComment
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sweet! and good advice on the books!!! i was thinking of starting with a ww2 NCOs sword then going a little higher as time goes on! oh and i like that thing about the hinderburg cross!!!
very very true!! as you see im brand spaking new to this area!!!!!!
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Sword book suggestions
Paddywhack,
The aforementioned titles are all great ones - particularly the Fuller & Gregory books. You might also look for The Japanese Sword by John Yumoto. Next to no info on Guntou but the discussion of metallurgy for pre-modern swords is pretty detailed plus there is an index (though far from complete) of Japanese swordsmith tang signatures which might be helpful. Imperial Japanese Swords by Jim Dawson has some good info too though it's not as detailed as Fuller & Gregory I thought. Depending on how far you get into this, you could also pick up a copy of The Swords of Yasukuni by Tom Kishida, not that very many collectors ever even see a Yasukuni shrine-marked blade but it doesn't hurt to have as complete a reference library as possible.
Yes, study hard and realize that sword collecting can be a major financial (and academic) commitment. Good hunting! Welcome to collecting!
Best,
GunnarComment
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Hi and I'm glad to see that other collectors are helping out here. I have started collecting Japanese swords, Nihonto, myself and it's a bewildering minefield at first. Good advice to study but I also know it's hard as hell to resist purchasing a sword. If you must, and who doesn't, buy from a reputable dealer only. Stay away from ebay swords, "bargains" and "found in an attic, barn, etc" swords. A little knowledge will go a long way so don't neglect your studies!
Like anything else out there, fakes abound and if you think about it there have been a few more hundred years for them to make forgeries of authentic swords.
I am thoroughly loving the study of Japanese swords and remember this when you finally buy one; you are taking on an awesome responsibility. The care of an old blade is now up to you and once you hold one in your hands you will understand the power these things hold over men.Comment
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Not to be a pest but I almost forgot to give you the name of a very good dealer and a great help to beginners, Andy Quirt. His website is Nihonto.us
He doesn't sell any WW2 swords but he could give you the name of reputable dealers who do. He's a great guy.Comment
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germanmilitaria.comComment
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