Month: June 2016

When I put “Muromachi Era” for the “Era” in the explanation of the “Hozon Tosogu Tsuba Mumei (Kachushi)” shown on our website, a customer pointed out that “If it’s Muromachi Era, it should say ‘Ko-Kachushi’ on the NBTHK certificate”, and so I checked with an NBTHK screening committee member.

It seems that not all pre-Edo Era works are sure to have “Ko-” attached to them, but (in principle) it seems that they apply “Ko-Kachushi” for Murumachi Era works and “Kachushi” for Edo Era works.

Incidentally, it seems that the default assumption is that “Owari” and “Kyozukashi” are  Muromachi Era. When a work is through thought to be from the Edo Era, they assign “Owari (Edo Era)” and “Kyozukashi (Edo Era)”, respectively.

This was a learning experience. I’m grateful that it was pointed out to me.

 

I was interviewed for a TV program by J:COM (Jupiter Telecom, Inc.).

This program discovers local spots while strolling around, where local-born entertainer / compass and model Mao Takizawa-san says, “Matsudo  ＠ Nagareyama ＠ Noda DO-local Line ~ local-love TV~”. They appeared suddenly, without notice, so it was a spontaneous interview. My shoulders tensed strongly as I tried to convey the beauty of the Japanese sword in an unplanned interview.
I’m told it will broadcast in August.

http://www.myjcom.jp/tv/channel/kanto/doro_karu.html

The 6th annual (10 times total) Japanese Sword Lectures have started.

With many attendees such as women fascinated with Japanese swords and those who enjoy Iai, as well as repeat attendees who also attended last year, the number exceeded our capacity for 15 people. Our shop meeting room, but I’ll make my best efforts to help you understand the splendour of the Japanese sword.

Today, we all went on an information-gathering trip to the 2016 Shinsaku Meito Awards Ceremony of The Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords.

I’m happy to have had the opportunity to meet the most prominent modern swordsmiths (those of Mukansa rank and those aspiring to Mukansa rank) gathered for the occasion. Screening committee member Swordsmith Miyairi gave a review, which was very informative in terms of giving a good understanding of the perspective on sword making in each of the works reviewed.

Also, Swordsmith Shigenori Ozawa, who gives swordsmithing lectures in the lectures held at our office, received an award for his efforts in the Tanto / Ken Division this year.
Swordsmith Takano, a teacher to whom we’re constantly indebted, was present as well, making it a very familiar awards ceremony.

The works will be on display at the Japanese Sword Museum until July 24.