Yang Fuxi, Imperial bowmaker, buy or not?

[Selfyewdave]

I don't know if anyone saw a show on Discovery times about China, but it discussed the mingling of the old culture with the new.  One aspect covered was on a man named, Yang Fuxi.  It said he is the last of the Imperial bowmakers.  His comes from a long line of bowmakers.
 
I have a friend that lives in Beijing and had her contact him.  I thought it would be neat to own a bow made, supposedly, by the last guy that knows how to make Imperial bows.
She said that he told her the bows are all 50lb draw weights and come with 5 arrows.  The limbs are elm backed with bamboo.

 The video I am attaching shows him making some of them.  He charges 6800 yuan and it takes a year to make one.
Now, 6800 yuan, converted to US dollars is around 987 or so.  
So, here is my problem.  Buy a piece of history that may no longer be available since he is in his 60s, or pass.

Anyway, here is the link, if anything, is is neat to see him at work:
  http://youtube.com/watch?v=UcPj-GEJ2Zc

[WildmanSC]

dave,

Only yew (pun intended) can make that the decision.  So, look to your inner Self and ask if you want to buy this piece of history that may no longer be available in the not too distant future.  Bottom line?  Selfyewdave!

Bill

[Selfyewdave]

LOL, nice one, yew.  I understand its my decision, but I am curious as to what others would do.  Even if it is not viewed as a piece of history, do you think it would be a good investment?

[wislnwings]

Dave I think you should buy the peice of history.......and then let me come over and check it out.

Seriously though, if it were me and I had the cash I 'm enough of a history buff to buy it.

[mike g]

Dave....
    I remember watching that program....
Very interesting indeed....
    I say, If ya got the money it will be well spent to obtain a peace of history like that....
    My vote is to definetly go for it....

[mcgyver]

When I was in the Navy, I went to Japan.
Had the name of a swordmaker that would custom make a Katana from my body measurements. Old world style, folded blade steel and all. I met the man, looked at his work, but backed out because I didn't really want to spend that much money.
22 years later, I still regret not spending that much money. The chance is gone.
Does my story help you with your decision?

[owlbait]

I'll bet you can find one in the classifieds  

[Firstarrow]

OUCH!

[WildmanSC]

Dave,

Now that I have displayed my sense of humor at my expense, I'll tell you what I would do.  If I had the money and the desire to buy the bow, I would order it with no second thoughts or doubts whatsoever.

Bill

PS And the Peanut Gallery says?  Amen!!!!    :eek:    :D    

[Ian johnson]

buy it

[Jhoneil1]

He also sells fiberglass replicas and it's cheaper  :D

   Fiberglass Manchu Bow

[smoke]

If you do not buy it, you will regret it.  If you don't like it, you can always sell it and get most if not all of your money back.

[Michael Golden]

I wonder if he would even ship it, also if you would receive it in one piece?

[Selfyewdave]

Originally posted by Jhoneil1:
He also sells fiberglass replicas and it's cheaper   :D  

   Fiberglass Manchu Bow  

Doesn't matter if he ships or not, my friend that lives there can ship , and the traditional ones are one piece.

As far as the fiberglass replicas are concerned, I am suspect about those.  That company is out of the Netherlands.  The "about" section says a Chinese woman started it, I guess she lives in the Netherlands.  I went to China a few years ago and I will say this....I would not put it past them to replicate his bows, slap his name on it, then sell them.

[Jhoneil1]

Just trying to be helpful...
I started a thread about these bows in another forum a while back.

   Last Chinese Bowyer  

You might want to read what another Chinese bowyer wrote about Yang's bows.

[Selfyewdave]

And helpful you were...that thread you just posted was great.  Seems there are some doubts.  Hmmmm, 1000 for a risk seems too much.