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In commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the All Japan Sword Traders’ Assosiation, auction was held at the Tokyo Art Club, on March 17. On the same day, there was a party to celebrate the tremendous success that was 4 times higher than usual. We took a great photo of the event.
After the Auction, we had a social gathering at Shinkyotei restaurant in Shimbashi, and deepened our friendship.
For me, it was a busy day after being appointed the afternoon auctioneer at the auction and then I was nominated to be the MC at the Party.

On March 7th, I visited Sapporo city and participated in the BJK Auction. I was appointed by the Owner and Chirman, Mr. Uchida, as the Auctioneer. Mr. Uchida is the person standing next to me in the picture.
I was able to become familiar with many of the participants from Hokkaido and was able to speak with them in ease.
I feel that gradually the number of participants has been increasing and hope that the Japanese sword deals in Hokkaido will increase more and more.

On February 7th, I was able to visit the NBTHK in Ryogoku where I applied new items for the Tosogu Shinsa and received the items and the results of last year’s October Shinsa. In addition, I was able to view the opening exhibition of the Token Museum of contemporary sword work exhibition “Old technique of Ancient times”. There were a large number of award-winning works at the new sophisticated sword exhibition with high ceilings and spacious show rooms. The blades that were displayed under the illuminating lights shone brightly on the wonderful blades giving a sense of a great atmosphere where sword enthusiast will be able to appreciate the overall dignity and art. On my way out of the Token Museum, I visited the rooftop where I could see the wonderful landscape that faces the old Yasuda garden and the Kokugikan, the national Sumo Stadium.

From January 2018, the Sword Museum and NBTHK head office opening commemoration and celebration was held at Daiichi Hotel in Ryogoku, near the former Yasuda Gardens.

Celebrities who attended included the Princess Akiko of Mikasa, the former Prime Minister Hosokawa Morihiko, and the 18th Generation and main head of the Tokugawa Family, Tokugawa Tsunenari.

Today’s ceremony celebrated by hundreds of Japanese swords enthusiast, such as association officials, swordsmiths, and swords traders, and I wish this to be the first step in developing Japanese sword culture in the future.

Happy New Year!
We wish everyone a healthy and prosperous new year.

The first day of 2018 had fine weather. I took a picture of the new year’s sunrise with Mt. Fuji in the distance.
With a renewed sense of commitment, I will do my best with my staff to offer best service and ensure customer satisfaction.
We look forward to your continued patronage.

Heisei 30th, New Year’s Day
Yoshiyuki Matsumoto

I made a trip with six other Members of the Sword Trader Association all aged in their 40’s and 50’s like myself, to Yoro Keikoku Okukiyosumi Prefectural Natural Park in Chiba. We stayed one day at the Keikoku Bettei Mochinoki.

We traveled there using the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line which opened 20 years ago on December 18, 1997, but it was the first time for me to see it even though I live in Noda City in Chiba Prefecture.
I could see the moutains of Chiba in the east, Mt. Fuji in the western distance and to the north I could see high-rise buildings in the city center.

At the Hotel we slowly soaked in the hot springs, and we all had a good time with local cuisine and sake.

The Dai Token Ichi Event of this year has come to an end. The event was met with wonderful weather. The total number of visitors was more than 3,000 people over the three-day event. The crowds during the event never let up through out the day.
There were many enthusiasts also visiting from overseas as well. I was able to meet so many friends and customers. I could come to understand just how big of an event this was and how it continues to attract many enthusiasts.
However, the large crowds made it a big task for the staff of the Event, who volunteered to help, the event was successful through their diligent efforts that started as far back as the summer. The Exectutive Committee members of the Dai Token Ichi were kind enough to put their own business aside and contribute to the Event to make it successful. We recognize and give thanks to their personal sacrifice.

The next Dai Token Ichi Event 2017 will be held from November 16th for three days at the same location, The Tokyo Bijutsu Club.

The All Japan Sword Trader’s Association Homepage was renewed and launched on October 25th 2107.
I was appointed to be in charge of the renewal project. I concentrated on this project to improve the homepage. For the last two months I have been unable to upload new items sufficiently on my own website because of this project and the translation work for the Dai Token Ichi catalog into English.
I really hope this new Homepage will be more convenient for sword enthusiasts even from overseas. Please visit the Zotosho homepage and look at the translated Dai Token Ichi catalog.

http://www.zentosho.com/

From last Friday, the 6th, for three days, we held the Fourth Chiba Touken Ichi at the Keiyo Bank Culture Plaza, which is close by the JR Chiba Station.

I am satisfied with the results and since I spent more on advertising the event, the numbers of visitors were more than I had expected. 

Some of the visitors who attended, were surprised at our affordable prices because they had an image that real Japanese swords are very expensive. 

We will keep holding this event to help increase the sword enthusiasts in Chiba, our home base. 

The next Chiba Touken Ichi will be held March 3rd, 4th and 5th at the same place.

I welcome everyone to come and enjoy.

We held the 16th Ningyocho Touken Ichi and we were able to finish successfully the three-day event. Although it is a small venue, visitors increased as well as improving methods of display and product selection so that they can visit. The time close to the Dai Touken Ichi Event, people tend to purchase less, however I am happy when visitors purchase our items. They say, “If I find items I like, I will buy it.” I’m happy to hear this.

It has been a year and a half since I have been practicing Iaido from April last year. Although I have a lot of work to do and have little free time, my Sensei is willing to adjust practice for me so that I am able to practice for two hours once a week at the Shunpukan Dojo in Noda City. Today I practiced with my American business partner who is a good friend from my previous job and currently supports Touken Matsumoto’s homepage and e-mail English. He has twenty-one years of Iaido experience and I was impressed with the quick and precise movement from an experienced performer. It was a short time, but he was able to explain a lot about Ippon-Me, the most basic kata.

The members of the Dai Token Ichi held the first meeting for creating the catalog for the biggest event for Sword Traders. This year’s Dai Token Ichi will be held at the usual Tokyo Bijitsu Club three days from November 17th, 18th, 19th. The meeting for the catalog was held for the entire day. We concentrated on checking the contents of the catalog of the item descriptions to make certain they are correct and to ensure the posted items will look attractive. We were exhausted when the meeting concluded but at the same time we were filled with a sense of accomplishment. Everyone is working hard to help make this the 2017 Dai Token Ichi a big success.

I was able to visit Niigata again this year with the swordsmith, Mr. Takano Yukimitsu. I visited the Polisher, Mr. Takada and the swordshops, Shogen and Wakeido. I appreciated all the great items they showed me. Thank you all.

I was also able to visit Kajiba, the place for smithing and met Ohno Yoshimitsu, one of the most reputable living swordsmiths.
I was surprised to see the smithing area to be very clean and the charcoal was cut into small pieces. It is easy to see why he is one of the best swordsmiths.
I was able to enjoy dinner with five swordsmiths, including Ohno sensei and his son. They were kind enough to make me feel like one of the group. We discussed many topics relating to Japanese swords.

I really enjoyed my trip and the weather in Niigata.

I went to the Sword Exhibition Event which is held every year in San Francisco, USA.
I was eager to join the event and had the opportunity to visit with Nyoga-san (Tsuruginoya Owner) who used to visit every year.
At the event, Mike Yamasaki-san, a well-known sword trader in the US, was kind enough to take care of us. In addition, Mr. Chuck of the NY Token Kai arranged for me to share his exposition table so I was able to display my items for sale.
During the 3-day Event, an appreciation event of the American branch of the Japanese NBTHK association was held. The NTHK held an appraisal event and it was an educational experience for everyone.
I saw many people who were active at the American Sword Exhibition Event with good knowledge. I am certain this will help lead to future business within the United States and overseas.

After the Event, I was happy to be able to visit the Yosemite National Park with Myoga-san for three days. The Park was very impressive and inspiring for me. I was able to put my work out of my mind and enjoy Nature’s beauty allowing for me to see a change in my view of life.

 

The 9th Noda Token Ichi ended successfully. During the three-day event the weather was very hot so I was concerned that people may stay home. However, there were always guests present. I was happy to see that many of the same customers visited more than one day. They seemed very serious about learning more of the sword event.

 

The Hotel had been the site of the past nine events so the customers could feel comfortable with us. The location is convenient and the hotel provided enough space to comfortably display. The cool air conditioning gave relief from the hot day to the attending crowd from all over the world, from sword beginners to enthusiasts.  I was very happy that this 9th event was the largest turnout and produced the most sold items. 

 

We are planning to have the next Noda Token Ichi in January 2018 at the same location.