Popular Links
NBTHK’s Manual of Handling, Etiquette, and Care of the Japanese Sword
This webpage shows the sword making process based on valuable photos performed by the late living national treasure, Miyairi Akihira (1913-1977).
A useful site when you’re looking for more information about your Japanese sword or swords in general.
The Japanese Sword Index, Excellent source for information about Japanese Swords.
Sword Related Books
Recommended books and videos page. Which includes some free online books, glossaries and references.
From time to time I acquire extra catalogs/books relating to Nihonto (Japanese swords) or other topics. Click here to see what is available. At times there will be also catalogs listed generally only available to those visiting Japan, such as dai token ichi and sword competition.
Sword Repair Services
We can assist you in the repair or restoration of your items. Click here for more details… Or email us with your needs.
Sword Supplies
See our for sale section with our selection of maintenance supplies. If you don’t see what you need just email us, we keep much more in stock.
Basic Sword Etiquette
NBTHK’s Manual of Handling, Etiquette, and Care of the Japanese Sword
Japanese Swords & fittings
Site by Fred Weissberg, offering Japanese Swords, fittings and a nice selection of related books.
Yuhindo.com aka Nihonto.ca
The site of The Late Darcy Brockbank. His site has authentic nihonto (antique Japanese swords) and tosogu (antique fittings) with excellent original write-ups on items he sold. This is the site to visit if you want to study the best of the best as if you are in The Tokyo National Museum or perhaps The MET in New York city, but with high resolution images and highly detailed descriptions. Darcy took to heart offering nihonto and tosogu from Japan that most don’t have the resources to find. RIP my friend!
Cultural Affairs
Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan
The Living History promotion project is a historical background where visitors to important cultural properties and historic sites can experience the lifestyles and festivals of the past and understand and experience Japanese culture. By: Agency for Cultural Affairs Cultural Resources, Government of Japan.
Yoroi (Japanese Armor) Societies & Forums
Kokusai Nihon Katchū Bugu Shinkō Kyōkai 国際日本甲冑武具振興協 This is the facebook group to KNKBSK, here you will find a wide array of postings of fine Yoroi (Japanese Armor), Kabuto and related items. KNKBSK is one of the organizations in Japan for seeking certificate of authenticy in Yoroi and related items. Their main website can be found at https://katchushinko.org/
David Thatcher is one of a handful of professional and properly Japanese trained Katchushi (craftsmen in antique Japanese Armour restoration and conservation), also follow him on facebook. He now also oversees his son, Harry Thatcher, with whom is training to be Katchushi. David sells museum quality Yoroi at Samurai Art, he has a study group and a safe place for the public to buy and sell vetted Yoroi and items related.
Japan Armor and Arms Research and Preservation Society has been in place since May 1958. They are the other organization that has shinsa for judgement of Yoroi and related items. They issue a periodic catalog. Japanese site (also English). Western branch (English) site. Facebook group.
Developing...
This page is developing. I intend to fill in more in the future. Until then I hope what’s here is useful. If there is a reference you think I should add, please contact us.
Japanese Sword Societies & Forums
Join the NBTHK
Click link to view more information on obtaining an application to join the NBTHK through the American branch or European branch.
The NCJSC was founded by John M. Yumoto (among others) in the early 1960’s, and incorporated as a nonprofit educational organization in June of 1976. An outstanding monthly newsletter is published for its members. The NCJSC hosts an annual Japanese sword show in August in the San Francisco area.
Nihonto Message Board welcomes anyone that has an interest in the Art of the Japanese Sword. This forum was created for the discussion of Genuine Japanese swords. This includes traditionally made Japanese swords, fittings, books, related items and the history of the Samurai and ancient Japan.
The Japanese Sword Society of the United States is a charitable and educational organization for the appreciation and advanced study of Japanese Art Sword and related fields of interest.
The Token Society of Great Britain
The Token Society of Great Britain is the oldest Japanese sword society in Europe. It has grown from modest beginnings to become one of the largest Japanese sword societies in the world.
I.N.T.K. (Italian Society for the Japanese Sword)
I.N.T.K. – Itaria Nihon Tōken Kyōkai (Italian Society for the Japanese Sword) was established in the year 1990. They are an non lucrative and apolitical society whose purpose is to carry out the preservation of a wonderful one thousand years old Japanese heritage: the Tōken.
This site unfortunately is no more, however the link above remains. The owner has mentioned he has full backup to the former site at this reditt site. If you care to reachout to him to offer the hosting and transfer of the site reach out to him. Perhaps if enough people ask, the owner might bring it back. 12/2021
Sword Pages
This webpage shows the sword making process based on valuable photos performed by the late living national treasure, Miyairi Akihira (1913-1977).
A useful site when you’re looking for more information about your Japanese sword or swords in general.
A web site that is dedicated to Japanese Swords of Hizen Tadayoshi, Hizen Tadahiro and the Tadayoshi line of Japanese Swordsmiths. Hizen Tadayoshi – Free advise. Tadayoshi swords wanted. CD available now.
Museums regarding Armor & Japanese Swords
The NBTHK – The Japanese Sword Museum
The Japanese Sword Museum or Tōken hakubutsukan situated in Tokyo, is a small museum dedicated to the art of Japanese sword making. It preserves and displays swords. It is operated by The Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords. The association’s office is located inside the museum building.
The Tokyo National Museum (東京国立博物館, Tōkyō Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan) or TNM is an art museum in Ueno Park in the Taitō ward of Tokyo, Japan. It is one of the four museums operated by the National Institutes for Cultural Heritage (ja:国立文化財機構), is considered the oldest national museum in Japan, is the largest art museum in Japan, and is one of the largest art museums in the world. The museum collects, preserves, and displays a comprehensive collection of artwork and cultural objects from Asia, with a focus on ancient and medieval Japanese art and Asian art along the Silk Road.
Located in Osafune, a town that once flourished as a major produce of Japanese swords, the Bizen Osafune Sword Museum is one of a limited number of sword museums and features a variety of Japanese swords on display.
Kurokawa Ancient Culture Research Institute has a very large collection of references culturally important to the Japanese to include Chinese references as well. A selection of the references are available to view depending on the circumstances. “The collection is about 8,500 (20,000 items), mainly Chinese and Japanese arts and crafts and archaeological historical materials, covering an extremely diverse field.” It is important to note, about the private collection that it contains beautiful Japanese fittings (menuki, kozuka, fuchigashira, kogai & tsuba), nihonto (Japanese swords), Scrolls, amongst other items. They have a YouTube channel, one of their videos of interest, shows several pieces in their collection.
The Kyoto National Museum is one of three main national museums in Japan and is an important world-class resource for East Asian art.
National Archives of Japan Digital Gallery provides digital clarity of the historical materials including colorful large-sized maps of provinces compiled by the Tokugawa Shogunate, which are now preserved by the National Archives of Japan…
The Museum ranks as the third oldest privately-endowed museum in Japan with English and Japanese language versions.
Look here for more Nihonto (Japanese Sword) & Yoroi (Japanese Armor) related museums!
There are dozens of sword museums worldwide. Click in the link above to see more.
Miscellaneous Links of Interest
Discover the aesthetics of Japan. #tokitokyo
Inspire your senses in unforgettable experiences handpicked by cultural tour experts.