Sell Koshirae

Sell your antique Japanese Koshirae

Do you own an authentic Japanese Koshirae that you are considering selling?
Supein Nihonto buys antique Japanese sword mountings directly from private collectors, families, estates and dealers worldwide.
We are interested in complete Koshirae, partial mountings, mounted swords, fittings preserved together as a set, certified examples and complete collections.
If you are unsure about the period, school, originality or value of your koshirae, send us clear photographs and we can assess it.
Edo-Period-Ko-Wakizashi-with-Gold-Flecked-Koshirae-2

What Koshirae do we buy?

We consider a wide range of authentic Japanese sword mountings, including:
nihonto
  • Katana koshirae
  • Tachi koshirae
  • Wakizashi koshirae
  • Tantō koshirae
  • Aikuchi koshirae
  • Complete sword mountings
  • Partial koshirae
  • Koshirae without a blade
  • Koshirae with shirasaya
  • Edo-period mountings
  • Earlier examples
  • Signed fittings
  • Unsigned fittings
  • NBTHK-certified koshirae
  • NTHK-certified mountings
  • Pieces with provenance
  • Koshirae preserved in storage boxes
  • Complete collections
We are primarily interested in genuine Japanese mountings with historical, artistic or collector value.

What is Koshirae?

Koshirae refers to the complete external mounting of a traditional Japanese sword.
Depending on the type of sword, a Koshirae may include:
Tsuka, tsuba, fuchi, kashira, menuki, saya, kojiri, kurigata, koiguchi, sageo, seppa, habaki, kozuka, kogai, other associated fittings.
A Koshirae was not simply a protective mounting.
Its materials, fittings, lacquer, metalwork and decorative themes could form a carefully coordinated artistic ensemble.
Sell Koshirae
Edo Koshirae with Hannya Fittings

Complete and partial Koshirae

We consider both complete and incomplete sword mountings.
A complete Koshirae may retain most or all of its original components, while partial examples may be missing:
When assessing a sword, we consider the complete object, including:
  • Tsuba
  • Tsuka
  • Menuki
  • Fuchi-kashira
  • Kojiri
  • Kozuka
  • Kogai
  • Other fittings
Missing elements can affect value, but an incomplete mounting can still be historically or artistically interesting.
Please photograph everything that remains together.

Koshirae with or without a blade

A Koshirae may survive:
  • With its original blade
  • With a later-associated blade
  • With a wooden tsunagi
  • Together with a separate shirasaya
  • Without any blade
All of these configurations may be of interest.
If a blade is present, please photograph the sword and Koshirae both together and separately.
If the blade also has Shirasaya, include photographs of that as well.
Sell Koshirae
Japanese-Katana-Masatoshi-–-Sakakura-Seki

What determines the value of a Koshirae?

The value of an antique Japanese Koshirae depends on many factors.
These may include:
  • Historical period
  • Completeness
  • Quality of workmanship
  • Originality
  • Condition
  • Lacquer quality
  • Metal fittings
  • Tsuba
  • Fuchi-kashira
  • Menuki
  • Saya decoration
  • Associated blade
  • Certification
  • Provenance
  • Rarity
  • Artistic coherence
  • Collector demand
A visually impressive Koshirae is not necessarily valuable solely because of decoration.
The quality, authenticity and relationship between its components are equally important.

The importance of matching fittings

Some Koshirae contain fittings that were deliberately created as a coordinated group.
These may share:
  • The same subject
  • Maker
  • School
  • Materials
  • Decorative techniques
  • Patination
  • Artistic style
A coordinated set can have greater historical and collector interest than fittings assembled from unrelated pieces.
If the fittings appear to match, please keep them together.
Edo Koshirae with Hannya Fittings

What photographs should i send?

Please send:
Full view of the complete Koshirae, both sides, tsuka, tsuba, fuchi, kashira, menuki, saya, kojiri, kurigata, koiguchi, kozuka or kogai, if present, any signatures or inscriptions, blade, if present shirasaya, if present storage box, NBTHK or NTHK papers, provenance documentation.
Detailed photographs are especially useful when several fittings are present.
fuchi kashira menuki

Tsuba, Fuchi-Kashira and Menuki

The principal metal fittings can be important when assessing a Koshirae.
These may include:
  • Tsuba
  • Fuchi
  • Kashira
  • Menuki
They can sometimes be attributed to individual makers or schools and may themselves have significant collector value.

Photograph each fitting closely as well as in the context of the complete mounting.

Saya and lacquer decoration

The Saya, or scabbard, can be one of the most distinctive parts of a Koshirae.
Decoration may include:
  • Black lacquer
  • Red lacquer
  • Makie
  • Raden
  • Ishime
  • Textured surfaces
  • Family crests
  • Geometric decoration
  • Natural motifs
  • Gold or silver decoration
Please photograph both sides of the saya and any details, damage or inscriptions.
Do not attempt to polish or restore old lacquer before assessment.
Edo Period Koshirae with Gold-Flecked Lacquer Saya

Aikuchi and other mounting styles

Not all Koshirae follow the same format.
Examples may include:
  • Katana mounting
  • Tachi mounting
  • Wakizashi mounting
  • Tantō mounting
  • Aikuchi
  • Handachi
  • Court or ceremonial styles
  • Unusual historical mountings
If you are unsure what type of Koshirae you own, that is not a problem.
Clear photographs are enough for an initial review.

Koshirae with a Shirasaya

Some Japanese swords survive with both:
  • Decorative koshirae
  • Separate shirasaya
The Shirasaya is a plain wooden storage mounting designed primarily to preserve the blade.
If both mountings belong to the same sword, please keep all components together and photograph them as a group.
The relationship between blade, Shirasaya and Koshirae can be important when assessing the complete object.
Sell Koshirae

Certified Koshirae

We are interested in Koshirae accompanied by recognised documentation.
This may include:
  • NBTHK papers
  • NTHK papers
  • Previous auction documentation
  • Old collector records
  • Japanese collection labels
  • Provenance documentation
  • Storage boxes with inscriptions
If your Koshirae has papers, photograph the entire document.
You do not need to translate Japanese documentation before contacting us.

Koshirae in storage boxes

Complete sword mountings may be preserved in traditional storage boxes or cases.
These can contain:
  • Hakogaki
  • Attribution notes
  • Collection labels
  • Seals
  • Old inventory numbers
  • Provenance information
Please photograph the complete box, interior, inscriptions and labels.
Even apparently minor documentation can sometimes provide useful context.
Sell Koshirae

How the selling process works

Complete the form and upload clear photographs of the entire Koshirae and any documentation.
We assess the mounting, fittings, condition, originality, attribution and collector interest.
We may request measurements, close-ups or information about the associated blade or provenance.
If the Koshirae is of interest and an agreement is reached, we will explain the next steps for payment and secure delivery.
Edo Koshirae with Hannya Fittings

Condition and restoration

We also consider Koshirae that are not in perfect condition.
These may show:
  • Worn lacquer
  • Small lacquer losses
  • Surface scratches
  • Damaged tsuka-ito
  • Missing fittings
  • Loose components
  • Minor oxidation
  • Old repairs
  • Historical restoration
Please do not attempt extensive restoration before contacting us.
Later cleaning, repainting or replacement of original parts can affect both historical character and collector interest.

Inherited Koshirae

Many Japanese sword mountings are inherited without detailed information.
You do not need to know:
  • The exact period
  • The maker
  • The school
  • Whether every fitting is original
  • Whether the blade and mounting originally belonged together
  • Whether the koshirae is certified
  • Its current market value
Send us clear photographs and whatever information is available.

Do not separate the fittings

If a Koshirae survives as a coherent group, avoid selling or removing individual fittings before it has been assessed.
A Tsuba, pair of Menuki or Fuchi-Kashira may have value individually, but their relationship to the complete mounting can also be important.
Whenever possible, send photographs of the entire group first.
Wakizashi

Sell a Koshirae collection

We also purchase collections containing several sword mountings and related fittings.
These may include:
  • Katana koshirae
  • Wakizashi koshirae
  • Tantō koshirae
  • Tachi mountings
  • Aikuchi
  • Shirasaya
  • Tsuba
  • Menuki
  • Fuchi-kashira
  • Kojiri
  • Other tosogu
  • Complete sword collections
For larger collections, overview photographs and a simple inventory are sufficient for the initial contact.
You do not need to prepare a professional catalogue.

Not sure whether your Koshirae is original?

You do not need to determine this yourself.
Japanese sword mountings were sometimes modified, remounted or assembled from components of different periods.
Later restorations and replacement fittings also exist.
Send us clear photographs of the complete mounting and its individual components.
We can determine whether the piece is relevant to our area of specialisation.

Sell your Koshirae

If you own an antique Japanese Koshirae, a mounted sword, a partial mounting or a complete collection that you are considering selling, send us photographs for an initial specialist assessment.
Complete mountings, partial koshirae, inherited pieces and collections are welcome.

    One itemSeveral itemsA complete collectionAn inherited collectionI am not sure

    YesNoI am not sure

    What our customers say

    SupeinNihonto was born from years of dedication to traditional Japanese martial arts such as Aikido, Kendo, and Iaido, and a deep passion for collecting authentic samurai weapons and armor.
    Emanuele S. profile picture
    Emanuele S.
    6 months ago
    I had an excellent experience with Supein Nihoto. I purchased a katana and a wakizashi, and both pieces are truly beautiful — carefully selected and of remarkable quality. You can immediately see the attention to detail and the seller’s passion for what he offers. The packaging was also exceptional: all the documentation was perfectly arranged in a refined envelope, which added a very elegant touch to the whole experience. As a thoughtful gesture, he even included a small katana kake stand as a gift, which I greatly appreciated. Beyond the objects themselves, the seller was very helpful, responsive, and clearly knowledgeable. His selection is outstanding, and you can tell he deals in genuinely fine items. Highly recommended — I would definitely purchase from Supein Nihoto again
    Dimitrios K. S. profile picture
    Dimitrios K. S.
    8 months ago
    Legit dealer of Japanese treasures ! This man loves his work is not just reselling items, at first he is a collector and does this out of true passion.
    Burke J. profile picture
    Burke J.
    9 months ago
    I received a beautiful tokubetsu hozon nihonto for Christmas from Supein. Actually my wife purchased the sword after receiving some helpful hints and recommendations lol. She knows absolutely nothing about nihonto but Supein walked her through everything honestly and I ended up with something beyond my dreams and expectations, honestly. The packing was exceptional, shipping fast and the sword itself a literal work of art. Supein has a lifetime customer now as my collection grows. Thank you!
    Anton S. profile picture
    Anton S.
    10 months ago
    Great packaging and quick delivery — thank you! The item’s quality was exactly as described. I’m very pleased with the purchase.
    Nathan C. profile picture
    Nathan C.
    1 year ago
    Excellent service, great communication, object exactly as described. Recommended seller! +++
    Javier L. profile picture
    Javier L.
    2 years ago
    I had been looking for a tachi with a lot of curvature for a long time and I called Supein Nihonto. They didn't have any tachi with the sori I was looking for, but I was treated with a lot of love and professionalism and we were talking for a long time. The next day I received a call from the shop, telling me that they had received new swords and that there was a tachi with a lot of sori. That same afternoon he already had a lot of photos of the sword and its measurements. I found the price good, especially if I compared it to other Spanish sellers of Nihonto. The shipment took a day and the package arrived in perfect condition, as the person in charge of the packaging puts a lot of effort into the work and the result is a strong packaging. Without a doubt, Supein Nihonto is my 100% recommendation!

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