On 27 May 2023, the award ceremonies for the NBSK’s 13th Newly Made Japanese Swords, Polishing and Mountings Craftsmens’ Exhibition. It was held at the Sakakimachi Museum of Tetsu (Iron) in Sakakimachi, Nagano Prefecture.
Opening speech by the Managing Director of the NBSK Mr. Yoshio Watanabe
Opening speech by Mr. Hiroshi Yamamura, Mayor of Sakakimachi and Director of the Sakakimachi Museum of Tetsu (Iron)
A congratulatory address by Mr. Morihito Katsura, Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Properties.
A progress report was given by the Chairman of the Steering Committee, Mr. Kozaemon Yukihira Miyairi
Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award & NBSK Chairman’s Award: Mr Soichiro Abe (Sword Polishing)
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award: Mr. Ippei Kawachi (Sword Making)
NBSK Chairman’s Award: Mr Yozo (Teruhira) Kamiyama (Sword Making)
Nagano Prefecture Governor’s Award: Mr Ichiro (Sadanobu) Gassan (Sword Making)
Shinano Mainichi Newspaper Award: Mr. Tetsutaro Morii (Sword Polishing)
Sakakimachi Mayor’s Award: Mr. Mitsuhide Koyama (Lacquering)
Sakakimachi Board of Education Director’s Award: Mr Kazuyuki Furukawa (Shirasaya)
Gold Prize 1st Seat: Mr. Yo Miyairi (Sword Making)
Gold Prize 1st Seat: Mr. Kazumichi Sekiyama (Sword Polishing)
Gold Prize 1st Seat: Mr. Noboru Kawakami (Fittings Making)
Gold Prize 1st Seat: Mr. Kazuyasu Toyama (Handle Wrapping)
Gold Prize 3rd Seat Mr. Futarou Fujikawa (Sword Polishing), Gold Prize 2nd Seats: Mr. Yoshimasa Mizuta (Sword Polishing), Mr. Hideaki Sugiyama (Habaki Making), Mr. Yutaka Inoue (Handle Wrapping),
Silver Prize 1st Seat: Mr. Mitsuhide Mori (Sword Making), Mr. Hirotaka Miura (Sword Polishing), Mr. Jeff Broderick (Fittings Making)
Silver Prize 2nd Seat: Mr. Niina Komei (Sword Making), Mr. Yuichi Sone (Sword Polishing), Silver Prize 3rd Seat: Mr. Yuki Matsuda (Sword Making)
Mr. Masaya Yoshida (Sword Making), Bronze Prize 1st Seat Mr. Keiichiro Tomioka (Sword Making), Mr. Shigeharu Hirai (Handle Wrapping), Bronze Prize 2nd Seat: Ms. Chiharu Sada (Handle Wrapping), Nyusen: Mr. Fumitaka Akasaka (Sword Polishing).
Sword Oshigata Art Section Awards: Mr. Yusuke Nagatsu, Mr. Hiroki Miura, Ms. Yoko Shimomura, Mr. Toshinao Takahashi, Ms. Hiromi Yoshino, Ms. Haruka Masuda, Ms. Ryoko Matsuoka.
Judges Panel Tsunetsugu Watanabe, President of the Judges.
A speech on behalf of the award winners was given by Mr. Soichiro Abe
A toast by given by Mr. Kenichi Ishikawa, Advisor to the Association and President Emeritus, Kanazawa Institute of Technology.