Yasunsori, Katana, Sumeri sword value

[sdh1911]

I have a 27.6" Katana sword made by the very renown Yansunori. My wifes uncle brought it back from the Phillipenes in 1945. Yansunori made swords for the imperial shrine from 1935 to 1945 and then switched his location and markings and continued making them until 1971. I have a Takentoru, which he made special order during his years with the shrine. This one was made for 2,600 years of the coutawali of the emperor. I did a lot of research on this sword, because of the inconsistencies from the buying experts. The maker of this sword made swords for Tojo, Terauchi and prince Higashikuni. I assume this would impact the value somewhat. I was offered $3,800.00 for it in 1998 from a collector/retailer who did not share any information on it, only saying it was a great find. I am considering selling it but, don't really know how much I should be asking. Do any of you guy's have any idea what I sould be asking for it? Many thanks-SDH :D

[sdh1911]

These pics are of the sword described in yesterdays post, I sure hope somebody knows how to read this stuff-:DSDH

[Claven2]

I wish I knew something about it to contribute, but all I can come up with is "nice sword!" :) Sorry...

[Pete04]

These pics are of the sword described in yesterdays post, I sure hope somebody knows how to read this stuff-:DSDH

Yes, loosely translated it reads "no tickie, no shirtie, want to argue roundeyes?" or something close to that.
Pete

[sdh1911]

Thar makes more sense than what some of the experts had to say-SDH

[unsub]

I would suggest taking it to a reputable dealer like ninhonto.ca and seeing if they are interested in consigning it. That way it is in their best interest to get you the best price and they have the expertise to know what it is.
Their site is worth it just for the incredible ninhonto screensaver. I would be surprised if it was worth less than 10 grand.

Right now could be the best time to sell a ninhonto as they are incredibly overpriced at he moment. Movies like Kill Bill and the japanese government banning exports have driven prices really high. It seems like every cheesy stock broker or TV exec in the US wants one mounted over his desk as well.

I would sell the ninhonto and buy a few euro napoleonic era and smallswords as well as some good examples of early sword bayonets especially the pioneer models. With the cash left over you could probably buy a nice motorbike as well.

[Ricky123]

Yikes... I love seeing...Can you please tell me what I should sell this for?
Pull down your coveralls lad...
First it is a Shin Shin Gunto and made by someone who is known an registered. Thats what is the good news....
Bad news..there are over 80,000 registered and known makers... you got one.
Tojo told me to avoid any sword he owned... due to mildew in his basement...
Seriously... condition... quality... and who is collecting the style or type of sword all has to be figured into the mix. I am a collector...but I do not collect Gendido swords... The most I have ever seen one sell for was $5000 and that was in prestine condition and with very special Voodoo. Good luck

[sdh1911]

Thanks Rick, I'm having the Kanji verified as we speak. I ran down the maker and found he made 1,600 high end swords in his life time and less than 20 celebration swords. The maker yasunsori was highly respected and made many swords for Japans higher than average customers. As far as the value, I guess that would be a crap shoot unless someone was looking for this exact type of sword. Once its reliably evaluated may try some sort of E-Auction, just don't know yet-SDH

[Will Durant]

I would like to have it in front of me,but,it appears to be a fairly "young"blade.The scabbard appears to be a naval officers dress sword.That is about all I can make out from the small images on my monitor.Will

[sdh1911]

The sword was taken of a Japenese Army officer in the Phillipense after being shot by my uncle in law. The blade is 27.625" long not the normal 24" for Navel issue. The handle has the shark skin with string wrap and the scabbard is a thin leather wrap. It was made around 1940 for celebration of 2600 years of the coutawolio (my spelling sucks) I've been researching it for months now and its finally coming together. Once the Kanji is verified, I'll be good to go on this one-Thanks-SDH

[Ricky123]

SDH.. yes the length is important.. any sword over 27" is a really good thing. Most... 90% are less than 27"

There is a man/professor in Waterloo who can really give you a honest sword evaluation. He is Dr. Arnold Frenzel. You can try to Google him for contact info. Or try the U of W

[sdh1911]

I always knew it had something going for it buy the reaction of the so called experts, I was offered a lot of money, but, no explanations that were anything near consistent. So I started doing mass research. I found the actual makers markings on a Japanese web sight and then ran him down from there. Since my last post on this topic, I've found this maker had a special mark for swords not made under the Japanese Empire shrine and mine has that mark, the maker was one of Japans best at that time and quite possibly a celebration sword made for a family named Buken from Small Valley, what ever the heck that means. I have also found a very similar sword but shrine made and a very common style being sold for the asking price of 850,000 yen, i.e. less than $8,000.00 US

The kanji was first read by my former martial arts instructor over ten years ago and much of it still holds today, but, just to be sure it is presently being re-evaluated by an NYU student who studies Japanese. I found the military configuration in a well used book on such. I've been learning a great deal out of this, but, the down side, I have lost a great deal of respect for a lot people who I've known for years. They are worse than the American Nazi collectors. The biggest thing I've found when dealing with the un-known, do your home work, collect the facts and get them verified several times, then "maybe" go to market-SDH

[Claven2]

sadly, nothing will highlight who your friends are by the "deals" they offer an unwitting YOU on a rare piece ;)

[sdh1911]

Sadly both accurate and true. I believe this one will go down as a growth experience,Thanks Claven2-SDH

[Will Durant]

Years ago I spent quite a lot of my life while living in So.Cal working with,studying,restoring.selling...etc Japananese Classical Weapons.I had a blade much yours as to mountings but much older.The blade was fairly long(26 plus inches)Mino Seki Province.The blade did see service as a weapon.The "scabord was Naval,similar to yours.The world of "Japanese Sword Collectors"is populated at a rate of 98% Liars,1% I know what it is and will give you an honest price,and 1 % really honest folks who will give you the truth no matter what! Will

[sdh1911]

Amen, short sweet and to the point!-SDH

[Dimitri]

SDH,

Well its a very nice sword, I'm more into Calvary swords myself though, I'd give you 5,000 yen for it (inculding shipping). :rofl: Would be a interesting history lession to give my grandkids in a few decades. :madsmile:

Dimitri

[sdh1911]

Thanks mate, I'll take the pass on this one until my student gets done with the translation, Hum 5,000 yen is about $3.00 U.S.?-SDH

[Dimitri]

Thanks mate, I'll take the pass on this one until my student gets done with the translation, Hum 5,000 yen is about $3.00 U.S.?-SDH

5,000 Yen is 44$ CAD or 42$ USD, not much. Probably would end up eating away at the entire shipping costs of the sword. :p

But no seriously nice looking sword! :thup: Just not my cup of tea. :)

Dimitri

[Ian]

I would think it's value would be higher selling to the home audience, it probably has more significance to someone who understands the religious significance of the piece - sort of like selling a rare Lithgow in Australia, or Longbranch in Canada.

[sdh1911]

I finally got it mostly translated and it turns out to be a celebration sword that was made outside the shrine by Yasunsori, Kenzo Kantani. I'll be putting it on the wire as such so to find the right guy. The going price is between $8,000 and $12,000 USD. Could by a lot of milsurp with that!-SDH

[Dimitri]

Well lets say its wroth 10,000USD, apparently a 30$USD Swiss bayonet in the US is somehow worth 160$ Canadian at a surplus store near by, thats a increase of lets say 5 times the cost, meaning your sword is way out of my price range at 50,000$ :move eek:

Dimitri

[sdh1911]

Got any good trading stuff, maybe a tank or something?-SDH

[Dimitri]

Got any good trading stuff, maybe a tank or something?-SDH

Don't even own a car. :surrender:

Dimitri

[A square 10]

ive nothing to add eather knowing nothing of these , but i have always envied those fortunate enough to have a real one

[sdh1911]

Anyone care to take a run at it, I put on the dreaded E-Bay. After much discussion and debate the money wins. It is truly a rare item and I'd rather see it go to an all Jap collection if the price is right-SDH

[Claven2]

ok, here is the live auction link as I am certain everyone following this thread would like to watch the auction :)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260178409436

[Dimitri]

Only way I can afford the 12,000$ is if ya took it in payments, 100$ a month for the next 10 years. :runaway:

I hope it goes to a good home, too many items from the past seem to get "junked" by people who do not understand its important to keep ALL history alive. :)

Dimitri

[Badger]

I also added the listing to our "For Sale/Auction Elsewhere" section of the Quartermaster Stores.

Yasunori, Celabration sword (Samauri/Katona) (http://www.milsurps.com/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=374)

Regards,
Badger

[sdh1911]

THANKS GUY'S! I hate it when money wins out, but the deal will return 1/3 back to Uncle Dave, the fellow who liberated it, he can use it better then most folks at this point-SDH