While most experts agree that the starting price for a Japanese made Shisakuto (newly forged sword) or antique starts at around $7,500 and goes WAAAY up from there, there are some antiques that become available due to a lack of paperwork or a signed tang (or both) and generally fairly tired condition, that become available at a fraction of the price they would fetch if restored and had the necessary certification from the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai (NBTHK).
Below are FIVE such blades, listed on SBG at bargain pricing, starting with:
BoJ O-Wakizashi #001: Antique Katahiriha Pirate O-Wakizashi 504
It’s a very rare (purposefully) asymmetrical blade type known as Katahiriha-zukuri, popular with – of all things – Japanese pirates! Unfortunately, it has a hairline crack in the hamon so cannot really be restored or used safely again because of it, but if you want to own a unique piece of Japanese history it is available in Shirasaya for a crazy low price of $1,875.00 (without the crack and with the right paperwork, it could EASILY fetch five times as much – if not more!).
BoJ Daisho Set #002: Antique, Mumei Edo Period Katana and Wakizashi 531
The blades are not signed (Mumei) but this antique Daisho set, once owned by a Samurai family, still comes with the original fittings it was bedecked out with, as well as a cool little Kozuka knife that fits into a slot along the saya and through the tsuba. It could certainly do with some restorative work, but that’s why this rare Daisho set is currently on sale for just $6,250.. (sorry, cannot be sold separately).
BoJ Gunto #002: Antique Shin-Gunto 547
Most WWII Gunto swords are fairly generic – but not this blade. Made during the war, it has a unique 3 piece reinforced tsuba for the China campaign and has a full wrap rayskin saya. Truly a bargain at $2,546.87.
Boj Katana #012: Antique Mumei Katana 555
The black ito might be greying and the blade in need of a restorative polish, and who knows how much it would be worth if the smiths signature on the tang was still legible (it WAS signed, but the signature has worn off over the centuries) – but it’s certain to sell fast at the current price of $2,265.62..
Take a careful look at the pictures, read the full description and ask any questions you may have AHEAD of purchasing these swords as they are far from perfect, but priced accordingly. Please allow 1-2 weeks lead time once purchased for shipping as Japanese sword export law is very strict and requires a considerable amount of paperwork to process and cannot be returned.
