This discussion about tool quality has been really great. It brings to mind this bit from Toshio Odate's book, Japanese Woodworking Tools, describing his first purchase of a really top-quality tool during his apprenticeship as a shoji maker:
"All daily needs were to be taken care of by the master during the apprenticeship. There was little reason to have money, but by my third year, I had nevertheless saved some given to me by my master and others for doing errands. On the first and fifteenth day of the month, we would take a half day off, but only after the shop (which was often the customer's yard) and all the tools were cleaned. This was usually about two o'clock, and you can imagine how precious those hours were to me. One afternoon, I took the train to a store that was well known for its fine tools. There I purchased a plane made by a famous blacksmith. Being young and inexperienced, I did not know the reputation of the smith or the fine quality of his tools. I knew only that the plane was expensive.
On the train, I was so happy with my purchase that I unwrapped the plane and held and looked at it all the way home. I knew I would have to keep the plane a secret, for people would laugh at the beginner who bought a tool he did not yet know how to use properly. I couldn't even keep the plane in my toolbox for fear someone would see it. So I enjoyed the plane every evening in my room, and kept it by my bedside.
One day it was raining, and everyone was in the shop and fixing tools. I don't remember why - it wasn't a day off - but the plane was in my toolbox. Though I was pretending to be working, I had difficulty keeping my mind on my job, so I was continually looking at my plane. Suddenly, my master was standing beside me; he asked about the plane, and I had to tell him that I'd bought it. Immediately he took it from me and showed it to the other shokunin in the shop - they all thought it was a wonderful tool. After they talked together about it for a long time, the plane was given back to my master. Holding the plane in his hand, my master came to me and told me simply that it was too good for me. As I expected, I never saw the plane again.
Tools are made to be used, and great tools are made to be used by great craftsmen. That plane was not for me, and I should not have owned it simply to keep it hidden away. It was a painful and expensive lesson to learn, but I know now that I should have had greater respect for the tool and its creator. Such respect did not mean allowing the tool to be idle.
While new to Japanese woodworking, I think there is no shame in buying modest "merely good" tools like Tsunesaburo planes and Gyokucho saws. I actually think it's entirely appropriate. Just be willing to accept the idea that, if you continue down the Japanese tradition, you will probably buy a much-nicer upgrade in a few years which will replace the apprentice-level plane you buy today. Then, you'll actually be in a position to appreciate it.