Month: November 2018

As a member of the Japan Sword Trader’s Association, I attended the NBTHK’s Second National Convention on November 24th at the Daiichi Hotel in Ryugaku where the NBTHK celebrated its 70-year anniversary and the 40th year of the NBTHK’s Tatara, the traditional Japanese furnace used for smelting iron. In attendance there were many people related to the Japanese sword, such as NBTHK branch members, sword traders, swordsmiths and polishers. The Princess Akiko of Mikasa, from the Imperial family of Japan also attended. I was impressed by the speech from a member of the Japanese Diet, who, according to him, some of the Diet members made an in-house Japanese Sword Group for the purpose of enhancing the culture relating to the Japanese sword this past June.  I look forward to hearing more about their activities.

This year’s Dai Token Ichi has concluded. Over the three-day event we welcomed over 3,300 people. This was a 10 percent increase from last year, showing an increase in interest in Japanese swords. We, Touken Matsumoto, did our best to boost our sales and activities this year. We were able to sell many pieces of Menuki, kata-menuki, and hanare-fuchi as well as larger sword sales. It was a very busy three-day event not allowing much time for even a rest. but I am very happy to have been involved in this year’s event and to meet many sword enthusiasts. Next year’s event has been scheduled for three days from November 1st at the same locations, the Tokyo Art Club. My staff and I will try hard again next year.