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The result of the 25th Tokubetsu Juyo Token Shinsa were received and my application for the “Tachi made by Jitsua” passed the exam!
This time, 41 swords items, 3 sword koshirae and 4 sword fittings were able to pass. These items will be exhibited at the sword museum as designated Tokubestu-juyo items from May 26 to July 16, 2018.
I purchased the Tachi made by Jitsua from a family with links to the ancient Daimiyo. Then I had made the shira-saya, habaki, and had it polished. After all this work I applied for the Hozon token and the Tokubetsu-hozon token together. After it passed, I applied for the Juyo token and when it passed two years ago I applied for the Tokubetsu-juyo token and it passed. It was a long process but as a sword trader, it was also a very enjoyable process to discover a potentially good sword and making it a great sword and passing the highest rank of the NBTHK. I will do my best to find many more.

I had a gathering with my friend from the Czech Republic and his ten students. He started visiting our shop more than twenty years ago. Every time he and his students are close, they would stop by and say hello. English is both of our second language, so we did our best to communicate and enjoyed our time together. They asked me “When will I visit Prague?” and I answered “Next Year.” However, they said that last year and two years ago I had said the same thing but did not go. I would like to try to make a trip sometime in the near future.

We held the 5th Chiba Token Ichi at the Keiyo Bank Cultural Plaza in Chiba City from March 23rd to 25th. We were blessed with many visitors mostly becouse of the great efforts with the advertisement publicity, the wounderful weather for the blooming of the cherry blossoms.
There were customers that could say “I will buy a Japanese sword for the first time” and this made me very happy since they became an enthusiast.
Unfortunately, the Keiyo Bank Cultural Plaza was closed in March. The 6th Chiba Token Ichi will be held in October and is scheduled to be located in “Chiba Seminar Room” that is 3 minutes on foot from the Chiba Station North Exit.

This month’s Japanese sword class, we invited the swordsmith, Mr. Ozawa Shigenori, who is a diciple of Takano Yukimitsu, who was diciple of Ohno Yoshimitsu.
Mr. Ozawa gave a lecture on how to forge Japanese sword. His unique tempering is referred to as “Hadaka-yaki” which mean he doesn’t place Tsuchioki on the edge of the blade. Using this process, he has been awarded many prizes recently. Because this was Mr. Ozawa’s 4th year with us, the question and answer session with the students was very active. His experience and lectures that are based on actural practice were very valuable stories that we would not be able to get by just reading books.

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.