Once a year, the NBTHK accepts items for a Juyo Token or Tosogu evaluation from enthusiasts and sword traders alike. In September of this year, it was the 61st time that this opportunity was offered.
An item that passes the evaluation has its value increased substantially which is why most applicants await the result with great anticipation.
Yesterday, I’m happy to say, I received 2 letters of confirmation regarding 1 sword and 1 Koshirae from the NBTHK, saying the items had been given the status of Juyo Token and Juyo Toso.
When I first found the 2 items in question, neither had a certificate of any kind. I felt, however, that both of them had the character and potential to be evaluated at a high level. Thus, I decided to hand them both over to the highly skilled people at the NBTHK, for evaluation. As it turns out, my initial instinct was correct and I find myself happy and a little proud that I was able to recognize the level of the 2 items, when I first encountered them.
This feeling of accomplishing the task of raising the status level of an item from a low one to a high one, is something I think anyone involved in the sword world in Japan finds very rewarding, much like seeing your children passing through university successfully.