I think that BMStar is correct.
In most cases you do not find a good Japanese sword cheap that is polished.
For instance I have a good friend who is one of the top Japanese sword collectors in the country. He just bought a famous name sword for $350. Then he had to pay
$2500 to get it polished in Japan.
$1450 to get it papered in Japan.
$950 to have a Shirasaya scabbard and handle made.
$4900 to have it ready plus the cost of the blade.
It is worth more, but only because he recognized the mei (signature) and knew enough to understand it was genuine. Nihonto collecting needs a great deal of study before you lay out much money.
|