Shinsa FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: WHAT IS A SHINSA?
A: AN EXAMINATION - SWORDS ARE EVALUATED AND EXAMINED FOR AUTHENTICATION.
ITEMS ARE GRADED ON QUALITY AND CONDITION, RARE OR IMPORTANT ITEMS MAY RECEIVE HIGHER POINTS.
CERTIFICATES ARE ISSUED AT THE FIRST TWO LEVELS FOR AN OVERSEAS SHINSA;
Shinteisho - 60-69 pts - Genuine
Kanteisho - 70-84 pts - Important
Yushu Saku - 85-94 pts - Very Important Work
Sai Yushu Saku - 95-100 pts - Supreme Important Work
SWORDS GRADED AT HIGHER THAN 80 POINTS ARE RECOMMENDED FOR SHINSA IN JAPAN.
Q: DO I PAY ALL $250.00 NOW?
A: NO. YOU NEED ONLY PAY THE $100.00 REGISTRATION FEE FOR EACH ITEM, TO RESERVE A TIME-SLOT. YOU WILL BE ASSIGNED A DAY AND TIME TO PRESENT YOUR SWORD OR KODOGU (FITTING). AT THE SHINSA IF YOUR SWORD PASSES YOU WILL BE ASKED TO PAY THE ADDITIONAL $150.00 FOR THE CERTIFICATE, WHICH WILL BE MAILED TO YOU FROM THE HEAD OFFICE IN JAPAN.
Q: WHAT IF MY SWORD DOES NOT PASS?
A: YOU WILL RECEIVE A FAILURE NOTICE (PINK) - ON IT WILL BE LISTED THE REASONS A SWORD DID NOT PASS EG; POOR CONDITION, POOR POLISH, FALSE SIGNATURE. WHERE POSSIBLE THE SHINSA TEAM WILL INCLUDE ATTRIBUTIONS.
Q: I AM TOLD MY SWORD HAS A FAKE SIGNATURE, A GIMEI?
A: GIMEI SWORDS WILL NOT RECEIVE CERTIFICATION. HOWEVER THE TEAM WILL STILL INCLUDE AN ATTRIBUTION TO A KNOWN SCHOOL OR SMITH BASED ON THE WORKMANSHIP IN THE BLADE. THIS INFORMATION WILL BE NOTED ON THE PINK PAPER AND IS VERY USEFUL IN DECISIONS RELATING TO RESTORATION.
Q: HOW ARE THE SWORDS HANDLED?
A: PROFESSIONALLY. SWORDS ARE SUBMITTED SANS EVERYTHING INCLUDING HABAKI - THEREFORE THERE ARE NO EXTRANEOUS WOOD OR METAL PIECES MOVING ABOUT IN THE SHINSA ROOM. THE SHINSA STAFF ARE LONG TIME MEMBERS OF THE NTHK AND FELLOW COLLECTORS TRAINED IN THE HANDLING OF SWORDS.
Q: DO I HAVE TO STAY AT THE HOTEL?
A: NO. HOWEVER IF YOU DO CHOOSE TO STAY AT THE HOTEL, WE ASK THAT YOU ADVISE THE REGISTRATION DESK AND REQUEST THE SPECIAL “SWORD SHOW” RATE WHEN YOU REGISTER. THE TOTAL ROOM NIGHTS HELP SUPPORT THE SWORD SHOW AND HELP THE HOTEL TO GAUGE PARTICIPATION IN THIS ANNUAL EVENT.
Q: DO I HAVE TO ATTEND THE SWORD SHOW?
A: NO, BUT WE DO ASK THAT YOU BUY A TICKET. IT TAKES ABOUT 3 HOURS FOR A SWORD TO CLEAR THE SHINSA ROOM, WHAT BETTER WAY TO SPEND THAT TIME THAN ATTENDING THE LARGEST MOST ACTIVE JAPANESE SWORD SHOW AND SALE IN THE U.S.?
(PLEASE VISIT THE REGISTRATION PAGE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT MAIL-IN SERVICES)
Q.WHAT ARE THE SHINSA HOURS?
A.THE SHINSA ROOM IS OPEN FROM 0900 TO 1700 FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AND THEN FROM 0900 TO 1500 SUNDAY.
Q. WHEN SHOULD I SHOW UP?
A. EACH CUSTOMER IS ISSUED A RESERVATION FOR A TIME-SLOT ON THE DAY OF THEIR CHOOSING, WE RECOMMEND YOU ARRIVE WITH ENOUGH TIME TO REMOVE ANY FITTINGS FROM YOUR BLADE BEFORE PASSING IT INTO THE SHINSA ROOM. IF YOUR ARE SUBMITTING A LARGER NUMBER OF SWORDS GIVE YOURSELF MORE TIME.