Category: Activity

Solingen Germany, November 16th 2024, NBTHK-EB Meeting

The last NBTHK-EB meeting of the year was held in Solingen, at the Klingenmuseum. Since some of our NBTHK-EB members where still in Japan, a group of almost 20 people attended the meeting, which covered the theme of “Bring and Tell” in relation to nihonto, as well as Ko-Mino and Ko-Goto in relation to kodogu.

The theme provided a good opportunity for some members to present some of their “hidden treasures”, which the group really enjoyed. The following swords were available for in-depth study:

1. Tanto – Hisataka
2. Tachi – Yasumune (utsushi Rai Kuniyuki)
3. Wakizashi – Munehiro – shin-shinto
4. Katana – O-Sa – namokucho
5. Katana – Jitsua
6. Katana – Tadakuni
7. Wakizashi – Tadakuni
8. Katana – mumei Senjuin Yoshihiro

The kogodu presented included masters of the Goto main line such as Goto Sojo, as well as Ko-Mino items that were granted Juyo status by the NBTHK.

This time, as at the September meeting in Manching, a total of eight high-quality Higo-Tsuba were presented, which had just returned from an international exhibition in Kumamoto, Japan.

Tokyo, November 2th/3th 2024, Dai Token Ichi 2024

Of course, one of the biggest highlights of the year is always the Dai Token Ichi – the largest Japanese sword fair in the world. With around 67 shops and dealers from all over Japan, it is the event that collectors and enthusiasts from all over the world must attend. There is simply no larger exhibition of Japanese swords or swordsmanship to admire and purchase. Everything from the smallest tosogu to full-size armor is available.

However, I see a trend, especially in the tosogu area, that some artists are becoming more and more difficult to find than they were a few years ago. Don’t get me wrong, the DTI is so extensive and the amount of offerings is overwhelming. You can basically find anything, but highly valued masters fetch what they are worth. However, if you are looking for a master who is in the middle class or even a lesser known exotic artist, you will have to search really hard or browse some dealers’ exhibitions.

I particularly liked the fact that the media presence was much higher this time than in previous years. On both days, camera teams with reporters streamed through the exhibition and interviewed dealers as well as international and Japanese visitors. In the world of Japanese swords, a lot of advertising still needs to be done so that these beautiful works of art can be admired by future generations. The Nihonto Collection is doing its part to achieve this.

Like last year, the DTI event only ran for two days instead of three. As I was told, the huge line at the entrance on the first day was missing. (In 2023 it went around the block.) This was perhaps because it had rained and people decided to come a little later and not have to wait outside.

Last year I thought it was just as bad that a whole day was missing to explore and admire the artworks or find hidden treasures in the back of a dealers’ display case. The first day was – as usual – very crowded, but this time there was enough space to navigate the two halls on the second day. In the afternoon the atmosphere became even more relaxed, people had a little more fun as the hunt for good treasures was already over. Unfortunately, some visitors (from overseas) were a little too relaxed when showing off their newly purchased swords in the cafeteria, but were immediately reprimanded.

My whole view of the length and duration of the exhibition changed this year as I had to manage a booth this time. From a dealers perspective, it’s much more than a two-day event. Planning the catalog and transporting everything to central Tokyo is a time-consuming undertaking. As expected, preparations for the booth begin the day before. For those who have wondered what it’s like to set up a Japanese sword booth at DTI, I’ve captured some impressions for you.

It is truly an exciting experience to speak to collectors from all over the world. Since we were able to offer swords and tosogu in a variety of price ranges and from many different artists and schools, many people visited the booth and enjoyed the exhibition.

A day at the DTI is exhausting, but it flies by and is a lot of fun.

To everyone who came to visit me, said hello, took some gummy bears or bought a tsuba: thank you! I hope to see you there again next year!

How to set up your booth at the DTI:

Tokyo, October 31th 2024, CINQ

After the study session and the visit of the museum we joined the sword event at the restaurant CINQ, where a kantei with dinner is hosted by Robert Hughes from Keichodo and Hisashi Saito from Ginza Seikodo.

The following swords where up for kantei:

1. Katana – Hizen no kami Yukihiro – Shinto – Tokubetsu Hozon
2. Katana – Osafune Kanemitsu – Nanbokucho – Tokubetsu Juyo
3. Katana – Unju, Soshu – Nanbokucho – Juyo
4. Nagamaki (cut down) – Hojoji Kunimitsu (mumei) – Nanbokucho – Juyo
5. Tachi– Kanesada, Mino (mumei) – late Muromachi

After this eventful day, we needed a restful night’s sleep because tomorrow we had to prepare the stand for the Dai Token Ichi.

Tokyo, October 31th 2024, NBTHK

After the study session we went to the musum hall so visit the new exhibition “Masterpieces of Blade Engravings”, which was just opened on the 26th and can be enjoyed until December 22th.

A complete list of exhibits is available.

There is a nice demonstration on how horimono are made:

Further impressions from the exhibition:

Finally, we went outside on the rooftop terrace, as it offers a beautiful view of the NBTHK Museum garden, which is open to the public free of charge. Watching the birds, koi and turtles is always worth a visit.

Tokyo, October 31th 2024, NBTHK / NBTHK-AB / NBTHK-EB

On October 31st, the NBTHK American Branch, organized a study session at the NBTHK museum in Tokyo. Members of the European Branch and other branches where also invited. With the Dai Token Ichi just around the corner, a total of 23 lucky members joined an informative afternoon at the museum.

Dr. Kugia hosted the event together with Mr. Arakawa and presented us with the following 5 swords:

1. Katana – Morimitsu – Oei Bizen- Muromachi (as Kantei)
2. Tachi- Muneyoshi – Ko-Ichimonji – Early Kamakura – Juyo Bijutsuhin
3. Wakizashi – Hiromitsu – Soshu – Nanbokucho – Special Art Object
4. Katana – Hizen no Kuni Ju Mutsu no Kami Tadayoshi -Shinto – Juyo Token (1974)
5. Tanto – Kiyomaro – Shinshinto – Juyo Token (1967)

The first one, the Morimitsu, was used for kantei and a few members where able to identify it correctly and hit “atari”.

The second one is registered as “important art object” Juyo Bijutsuhin. It’s always impressive to see and hold swords like these in your own hands to study them carfully. Truly magnificent swords and I can’t thank the NBTHK enough for letting us handling them.

A few more impressions can be found at the NBTHK-AB branch.

Neuwied, October 12th 2024, Nihonto Club Deutschland

On Saturday, October 12^th , 2024, the “Nihonto Club Deutschland” held its last meeting of the year in Neuwied.

Unfortunately, many members were unable to attend the meeting, so only 7 members and one guest were present. However, these members presented an amazing variety of nihonto of exceptional quality from different schools and masters across different eras.

Because only a few members were present, there was more than enough time to look at the blades and study them carefully.

The following nihonto were exhibited:

Kantei #1

1. Katana Gassan Sadakazu
2. Katana Kunisada (Father of Inoue Shinkai)
3. Wakizashi Sendai Kunikane (2^nd Generation)
4. Wakizashi “Omi No Kami Fujiwara Tsuguhiro” (1. Generation), pupil of Yasutsugu (3. Generation)
5. Wakizashi “Omi No Kami Fujiwara Tsuguhiro” (2. Generation), in a completely different appearance in the work and signature as #4
6. Tanto mumei, attributed so Sanjo Munechika (Shin Shinto) by the NBHTK

Kantei #2

1. Katana mumei, Yamato Hosho from early Kamakura
2. Katana mumei, Ko-Uda
3. Wakizashi Sukenao
4. Wakizashi Kuniyasu (3^rd Son of Kuniske)

Even if the Nihonto Club Germany has a strong focus on the blades itself, a few tsuba from the collection of the famous collector Kokobu Kenichi where shown.

After an exciting and wonderful day, the meeting ended with a good dinner together.

If you are interested in visiting the Nihonto Club Germany, please feel free to contact me.

Manching, September 28th 2024, NBTHK-EB Meeting

On Saturday, September 28, 2024, the NBTHK European Branch held its November meeting in the small German town of Manching, which is not far from Munich and Nuremberg.
Of course, in addition to the German members, members from Austria, Luxembourg and Switzerland also took advantage of this opportunity and attended the meeting. Since the theme of the meeting was “Kiyomaro”, the members were in for a treat.
In addition to a large katana from Kiyomaro, there were two tanto from Masao and two tanto from Kiyondo.
The katana from Kiyomaro has had quite a journey, as it was found in Austria a few years ago in a devastating condition:

After the tsuka was removed, the signature was quickly verified by knowledgeable members of the NBTHK-EB. Since it appeared to be genuine and not gimei, the sword was sent to Japan for further examination. Now the sword is back in Austria in a fresh polish and with a Tokubetsu Hozon certificate from the NBTHK.

The newly crafted shirasaya bears the following sayagaki by Tanobe Michihiro, the former chief researcher and managing director of the NBTHK:

Yamaura Tamaki Masayuki

Ubu machi-okuri goji-mei o arishi Tenpō jūnen no seisaku to oseraru ura ni wa ninen ato no Tenpō jūinen hachigatsu nijūrokunichi
Yamada Gosaburō ga setsudan o okonaitaru tokoro karigane dotan-barai de arishi mune no Masayuki no kiritsuke-mei kore ari. Naginata-naoshi-fū katsutaru tsukurikomi shikamo itame-nagareru hada—ai ni chōji, gunome, ko-notare no majiru dōsei to henka ni tomu midare o yaki nie-nioi shikō de kinsuji, sunagashi o shikiri ni orinashi nioiguchi sae kono-ki no-dōkō no konryō o hakki-suru yūhin nari, Hachō ni-shaku
san-sun yahi-nu jaku

Sayagaki by Tanobe Michihiro, former chief researcher and managing director of the NBTHK

Yamaura Tamaki Masayuki
This blade is ubu and machi-okuri and bears a signature consisting of five characters. The work can be dated to around the tenth year of Tenpō (1839). On the back of the tang, engraved by Masayuki himself, is the result of a cutting test carried out by Yamada Gosaburō on the 26th day of the eighth month of Tenpō twelve (1841), in which the blade severed a body at the level of the collarbone and penetrated the earth wall below. The blade is shaped in the style of a naginata converted into a katana. It has a forged structure in itame-nagare and is hardened in a nie-heavy, dynamic midare with a wide and clear nioiguchi, which is mixed with chōji, gunome and ko-notare and shows a wealth of activities. There are also many kinsuji and sunagashi interwoven into the forging structure and so we have a masterpiece that reflects the characteristic style of this blacksmith of that time.
Blade length ~72.1 cm

Sayagaki by Tanobe Michihiro, former chief researcher and managing director of the NBTHK

It was a great opportunity to see and hold this impressive work by Kiyomaro and admire its mighty suguta. The NBTHK-EB went to great lengths to surround the Kiyomaro with four tanto made by his pupils, two by Masao and two by Kiyondo A great exhibition!

In addition to the blades on display, the theme of the kodogu was “dragons,” so you could see beautiful koshirae, such as a rare daisho dragon koshiare or one from the Wakashiba school or one with Ezu dragon menuki, all in perfect condition:

As for kodogu, members gathered top pieces from their collections. For example, two tsuba by Sadamoto Teikan were presented. An iron tanto tsuba with a dragon climbing Mount Fuji, with Sadamoto’s full signature and the location where it was made. Next to it, a shakudo tsuba of exceptional quality was displayed, a juyo piece. Also on display were a few other pieces, in my opinion some of which will also receive juyo certificates in the future.

Since some of the NBTHK-EB members have the opportunity to exhibit some of their higo tsuba in Kumamoto, they kindly showed them at the meeting. Thus, high-quality works by Hirata Hikozo, Rakuju Kamiyoshi and Jingo Yatsushiro could be admired.

But the icing on the cake and the crowning glory of the whole was the display of four tsuba by Korin, all signed, accompanied by a tsuba by Korin’s son Eirin, also signed.
An exhibition that would be difficult to put together even in Japan.