The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Sword Culture (NBSK)
2024 became an important year for the promotion of Japanese sword culture overseas. In November, we held the, Samurai Art Exhibition: the Beauty of Japanese Swords, in Belgrade, Serbia. In December, we held the Japan-Taiwan Cultural Exchange Signing and Opening Ceremony with Soochow University in conjunction with the establishment of our Taiwan branch. This year from June 7th, we are planning to hold the, 15th Newly Made Japanese Sword Craftsmens’ Exhibition, at Sakakimachi Museum of Tetsu in Nagano. This will be followed by a second venue from late October, when we will be exhibiting at Meiji Shrine Treasure Museum for the first time in three years.
We would like to continue our efforts to embrace the current Japanese sword boom that is attracting much attention, and use it to accurately and convey Japanese sword culture as widely as possible. We are grateful for all your enquiries we have received regarding repair, sword polishing and how to report the discovery of unregistered swords. Our role as a Public Foundation is to contribute to the promotion of culture and the arts. We promote this through Japanese swords. To that end, we hold training sessions for swordsmiths and teach them traditional sword making techniques.
In recent years, Japanese swords have become highly appreciated overseas, and there is a strong desire for opportunities to enjoy their unparalleled value. We want to not only protect traditions and heritage, but also actively respond to domestic and international expectations. As part of our role as a Public Foundation we issue verification certificates (Newly Made Japanese Sword Certificates) for modern Japanese swords in order to address the growing problem of counterfeits and non-Japanese replicas among modern swords. As a result, we have received requests for issuance of these certificates from sword dealers and collectors alike. The significance of these certificates is increasing year by year.
Japanese swords were once the very backbone of Japanese culture, a mirror that reflected the soul of the Japanese people. We hope to enrich people’s hearts through the promotion of Japanese sword culture. We provide opportunities for people to hold Japanese swords directly and feel closer to them through our public viewing events and exhibitions of sword craftsmanship, including newly made Japanese swords, their polishing and mountings, etc. Japanese sword culture is an intellectual property and beautiful tradition cultivated throughout Japan’s history that is also imbued with spirituality. We believe that it is our responsibility as the current generation that inherits the traditions and culture of genuine Japanese swords, and face the challenges that adapts them to modern times, by making them appealing to the world at large, and a treasure for all humanity.
We would like to continue to work to promote Japanese sword culture together with many people who hold the same aspirations. We appreciate and look forward your continued understanding and support.
January 2025
President Yanai Shunji
| President | Yanai Shunji | Former Ambassador to the USA, Judge: International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea |
|---|---|---|
| Special adviser | Kawabata Terutaka | Advisor: The Association for the Research and Preservation of Japanese Helmets and Armor , President: Honganji Japonisme Academy, Visiting Professor: Kanazawa Institute of Technology |
| Honorary Chairman | Hon’ami Koshu | National Living Treasure Japanese Sword Polisher |
| Consultants | Gassan Sadatoshi | Swordsmith, Consultant: The All Japan Swordsmiths Association, Intangible Cultural Property of Nara Prefecture |
| Consultants | Takayama Kazuyuki | Master Sword Mountings Artisan, Nationally Appointed Conservationist of National Treasures, Advisor: The Society for the Preservation of Sword Mounting Techniques |
| Trustee | Iida Yoshio | CEO: Iida Koendo Co., Ltd Head Director; All Japan Sword Traders Association |
|---|---|---|
| Trustee | Ito Toshiro | Sword collector, former president of Secretary Center Co., Ltd. |
| Trustee | Ito Masanobu | Rep: Mark's Guide, Former Director: Mitsui & Co. |
| Trustee | Inami Kenichi | CEO:JAPAN SWORD Co., Ltd |
| Trustee | Kawachi Ippei | Swordsmith, Director: All Japan Swordsmiths Association |
| Trustee | Nishikawa Mitsuo | Lawyer, Sword Enthusiast |
| Trustee | Hasegawa Akihiko | Sword Enthusiast, President & CEO: Sankei Giken Kogyo Co., Ltd |
| Trustee | Hiruta Michiko | Antique Dealer |
| Trustee | Paul Martin | Former Curator: British Museum, Japanese Sword Specialist |
| Chairman of the board of Director | Ono Yoshimitsu | Master Japanese Swordsmith |
|---|---|---|
| Managing Director | Watanabe Yoshio | President & CEO WATAKI Co., Ltd, Vice-President: Kokusai Tosogu Kai |
| Executive Directors | Koga Makio | Special-Consultant for Japan Airport Buildings, Senior-Advisor: Morgan Stanley Securities |
| Executive Directors | Miyairi KozaemonYukihira | Master Japanese Swordsmith, Chairman: All Japan Swordsmiths Association |
| Executive Directors | Hasegawa Masashi | Sword Enthusiast, President: Sankei Giken Holdings Co., Ltd |
| Executive Directors | Watanabe Tsunetsugu | Japanese Sword Polisher |
| Directors | Kamata Kimiko | Manga Writer |
| Directors | Kumasaka Takamitsu | Advisor: Sankei Shimbun Co.,Ltd |
| Directors | Kenmochi Naotoshi | Master Sword Mountings Maker |
| Directors | Hirano Nobuo | Sword Enthusiast, President & CEO Bless You |
| Directors | Fukami Nobuhiko | Ginza Choshuya Co.,Ltd Head Director |
| Directors | Hon’ami Masao | Japanese Sword Polisher, Sword Licensing Officer for the City of Tokyo |
| Directors | Mori Takahiro | Master Sword Mountings Maker |
| Inspectors | Sasatsu Mitsugu | Sword Enthusiast, Vice-CEO: Conti |
| Inspectors | Tsukada Hideki | WATAKI Co., Ltd,Former Managing Executive Officer |
| Curator | Ikuta Kyoko | Former curator: Gakushuin University Museum of
History Researcher: Kokusai Tosogu Kai |
|---|
| Researcher | Paul Martin | Former Curator: British Museum, Japanese Sword Specialist |
|---|
| Head Office Secretary General | Takamori Kunihiko | Head Secretariat |
|---|
Purposes and Activities of The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Sword Culture (NBSK)
This foundation contributes to the conservation of Japanese swords, the training of sword craftsmen and endeavours to develop Japanese sword culture with the spirit and intention of protecting the cultural properties of Japan. The NBSK contributes to the promotion of Japanese culture both inside and outside Japan. To accomplish the above purposes, it is our intention to implement the activities described below.
Current activities serving for public interest
Applications for Membership are subject to approval by the NBSK. By completing the Membership Application and Membership Agreement and submitting payment for membership dues, the Applicant accepts Membership in The NBSK in accordance with The NBSK Membership Agreement and Bylaws.
The types of membership and fees payable are as follows:
Bank: Japan Post Bank
Account Number: 00170-4-263029
Payee Name: Nihonto Bunka Shinko Kyokai
Please see the following link of the Japan Post Bank Service information: Remittance from Overseas to Japan Post Bank Account
※Please read this first before applying. Membership Regulations
paypal.me/nbsk
One of the current activities of the NBSK public foundation is the issuance of Certificates of
Authenticity for newly made Japanese Swords (Tachi, Katana, Wakizashi and Tanto).
The various appraisal circles of the antique world, many fakes have been uncovered since ancient
times. It is no different in the Japanese sword world.
Long ago, the Hon’ami family issued authenticating certificates called ‘origami’ that became the
standard for appraisal. However, those origami were mainly used for distribution between shoguns
and daimyo family members, and are generally irrelevant today.
After the war, many swords (including old masterpieces) were released from the collections of
daimyo and other famous families. These swords came into the ownership of general public, and
the number of sword enthusiasts increased rapidly. Subsequently, various sword organizations
began issuing appraisal or certification certificates that quickly became a standard for
enthusiasts and the general public to increase the worth of their swords. It can be said, that
this recognition of swords as art was unique to Japan.
Unfortunately, it is a well-known fact that the number of fakes of the work of currently active
famous swordsmiths has increased. Until now, there has never been an appraisal/authenticating
certificate from a public organization that verifies the work of modern swordsmiths. However,
from June 2021, NBSK started issuing ‘Newly Made Japanese Sword Certificate’s to maintain the
value, and trust in the sword industry of modern swordsmiths’ works. Additionally, this
certificate is produced bilingually (Japanese/English) for the benefit of overseas sword
enthusiasts.
Since the Second World War, modern swordsmiths have steadily improved upon their skills and
artistic quality. Due to their unremitting efforts, they have been producing excellent works. So
far in modern Japanese sword history, six swordsmiths have been designated with the title of
Living National Treasure. With such a backdrop, the work of modern swordsmiths in particular
surely requires authentication. With this in mind, these certificates will soon become
increasingly valuable data for modern swords.
Therefore, we call upon all sword enthusiasts, traders and craftsmen alike to order New Made
Japanese Sword Certificates. We would be extremely happy that if through these certificates a
new standard is created to increase the reliability and value of Japanese swords for everyone.
① Modern swordsmiths interested in using our certificates register with our association and we then issue certificates for their swords on a per sword request basis. By registering their works with us, the data will be recorded and accumulated by our association for future reference. Please note, that there are some swordsmiths who do not wish to list their names on the website. If would like to confirm, please contact the NBSK head office by E-mail.
② If you wish to order a certificate (for example, if you already own a modern sword by a modern
swordsmith), please contact the NBSK head office for information on the monthly schedule and
reception place. After that, we will carry out an appraisal of the work and if it meets the
requirements, issue a ‘Newly Made Japanese Sword Certificate’ in a special presentation
case.
* Certificate issuance fee: 50,000 jpy (+ 10% consumption tax) per blade.
③ If you purchase a sword that has one of our certificates, but you have some doubts if it is the
same sword as in the certificate, please send the sword and certificate to us. We will confirm
if it is correct or not by referring to other data that is not displayed on the certificate.
* Inquiry fee: 30,000 yen (+ 10% consumption tax) per blade.
※ For further details, please see the homepage or contact the head office via email.
The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Sword Culture (N.B.S.K.)
301 Takasho Heights, 2-4-7 Akabane Minami, Kita-ku, Tokyo 115-0044, Japan.
https://nbsk-jp.main.jp/
Tel: 81(0)3(5249)4440
Fax: 81(0)3(5249)0065
E-mail: tbk@nbsk-jp.main.jp
