Mark S.

Here was some information I found regarding the NTHK (not NPO) 2024 Shinsa team at the Orlando show: SWORD TEAM OKADA MORIYOSHI: Shinsa team member, director of the NTHK and Chief Editor of Token to Rekishi. Joined the NTHK in 1988, became a member of the board of directors for the Osaka-Kobe branch in 1993, became a permanent member of same in 1995, became a member of the board of trustees of the NTHK in 1996, became a researcher for the shinsa team in 1997 and participated in the New York shinsa in October of the same year under the late Yoshikawa Kentaro Sensei. Became the chief editor of Token to Rekishi in 1999 and a full member of the shinsa team in 2000. Became a director of the NTHK in 2001. His special area of interest is Yamato den. OGINO MITSUAKI: 1971 joined the Hyaku-tô-kai. Around 1990, he joined the Katana-Yoroi-Kai and studied under Iida Kazuo Sensei. After that, he also studied with the NTHK, the Harugasumi-kai and other sword clubs. He is particularly interested in Kotô, especially Kamakura period works of the major schools. He also has a fondness for the works of Kotetsu and Shinkai. Mr. Ogino’s other interests are in collecting porcelain and in all kinds of other Japanese antiques. TAKEMOTO FUKUKAZU: Takemoto san is assistant editor of the NTHK publication, To-ken to Rekishi and a longtime collector. KAWAKAMI YOICHIRO: Shinsa team member, a third generation sword polisher, he was a student of Yoshikawa Eiichi Sensei. In January 2017 he was a featured craftsman at the Seikado special exhibition, “Perfect Guide to the Japanese Sword,” where he demonstrated the art of sword polishing. For a time he worked at To-ken Matsumoto and now is the only independent polisher trained in the Yoshikawa style. FITTINGS TEAM PROFESSOR GORDON ROBSON: Gordon Robson became the translator and interpreter for the NTHK in 1985. He became a trustee, and a researcher for the shinsa team in 1999. In 2000 he was made an assistant to the shinsa team, and an editor for the journal Tôken to Rekishi in 2001. He became a full member of the shinsa team and a director in 2002. In 2014, Gordon was made a shinsa team member for both swords and fittings. Professor Robson has written extensively on the Kanabô School of Yamato and on Sengo Masazane. He has also written on the iron sukashi tsuba of Kyoto, Owari, Kanayama and Ko-Shôami as well as the fittings of the Ko-Gotô, Ko-Kinkô and Ko-Mino Schools. In addition to his translations for the NTHK, he has translated for the JSSUS, producing such works as The Art and the Sword series as well as the two-volume set Sue-Kotô, and the Kyomono no Ko-Meisaku. His areas of interest include the works of the Sue-Bizen School, Sue-Tegai School, the Kanabô and Fujiwara smiths of Nara, the Muramasa School of Sengo, the Shitahara School of Musashi and the Shimada School. Professor Robson will also be consulting with the sword team as needed. IWAMOTO NORIHISA: Mr. Iwamoto studies fittings under his father, Iwamoto Toshiki. He has a particular interest in iron tsuba and koshirae. From 2015, together with Inada Kazuhiko sensei, honorary member of the Kyoto National Museum, he has been surveying the swords and fittings in shrine museums beginning first of all with Itsukushima Shrine. Osaka Bijutsu Club, Youth Group, Assistant Director. Lecturer, Osaka Yomiuri Cultural Center’s Nihon-tô Program. During his 20s, he traveled extensively in Ukraine, Finland, Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. IWAMOTO TOSHIKI: (FOR REFERENCE) Owner of the Iwamoto Sword Shop in Osaka. In 1991 he took over as head of the Namihana Kodôgu Kenkyû-kai (Sword Fittings Research Society). The Namihana Kodôgu Kenkyû-kai was originally the Nihon Tôken no Gaisô no Kenkyû-kai (Japanese Sword Fittings Research Society) established by Dr. Suenaga Masao in 1955.

It may also be that NMB Members here who had a little more insight or contact with these organizations no longer post or post less than previously? Mike Y. or other NBTHK members - NBTHK Toryu2020 - NTHK Chris Bowen - NTHK-NPO

I guess this is all why I asked the question. It seemed there was much more (relatively) discussion about the judges of the ‘Big 3’ organizations (NBTHK, NTHK, NTHK-NPO… as well as others) and they would list who the judges were and even some background provided about each judge like their history, affiliations, judgment experience, kantei contests and awards, etc. I can also remember separate discussions about kantei contests, winners, awards, etc., etc. Now that info seems to have completely dried up? Maybe it is more common in Japan, but I’m wondering why that info no longer reaches the U.S.? Or am I just imagining our ability to access such information previously???

I wanted to hear opinions before I gave mine… but I asked the question so it’s only fair I give my opinion. At first I was ‘interested’ as some of my collection includes items that may be considered ‘on the fringe’. But I have this habit of taking the pictures of items and printing them out to full scale. When both sides of the picture are placed back to back (as in the first photo), the shape doesn’t seem too odd. However, when printed to scale and only one side is viewed, the blade has a distinct ‘humpback whale’ shape that did not appeal to me. The boshi also feels wrong, but is understandable based on how the blade attained its current shape. Also, the price was a bit high for a discussion piece. This piece is wakizashi length of 34.9cm. On the plus side, it did receive NBTHK Hozon.

With the passing of Yoshikawa-sensei (NTHK) and Miyano-sensei (NTHK-NPO) and Tanobe-sensei not officially a part of NBTHK Shinsa (I could be 100% wrong about that, and if so, I humbly apologize), although he still does sayagaki attributions…. who are the current notable people in the Shinsa/kanei world whether in the above mentioned organizations or other? Just wondering who the current and upcoming crop of leaders in the field are?

While going through some dealers, I came across a blade. Of course this will come down to personal preference. Is it just too awkward to look at or do you appreciate the method to ‘save’ a damaged blade? This just happens to be a blade from one of my favorite schools so I am torn on my feelings about it.

I HIGHLY encourage everyone to attend. Mark makes sure these sessions are well worth your time and Matt has some wonderful blades. Both Matt and Mark make the presentations approachable to newer attendees, but very educational for more seasoned veterans. If you are there… GO!

I am sorry and did not know this Grey. If you want to contact Brian and ask him to delete this thread I am not going to say a word. I had no idea this was ‘stolen’ and only wanted to ask what this was.

So I found a free download of the Nihon Toko Jiten (Koto and Shinto). I hope I am not sharing anything ‘wrong’. However, it doesn’t seem to match an English index I have or some of the sample pages of the books I can locate on-line. Is this an earlier version or something else? https://archive.org/details/nihon-toko-jiten

Papers should be a start of your research journey, not the end. They are a very educated opinion, but there is so much more to learn depending on what they say or don’t say.

Just ordered one. Looking forward to it!

Thank you Moriyama-san. Generous with you translation skills as always. Also, thank you Piers.

If someone has a few moments, may I please have the translation of the ‘art name’ for this chashaku? Pics of the inside of the storage box and storage tube attached. Thank you.

Derek… Where/when did you study tea ceremony?

Uchiko from Robert Benson is of the highest quality. The uchiko is already processed. It just takes a day to put the ball together…

Pm sent

Live fairly local so this is my regular show. As always… can’t wait!

This will be my first time attending the Orlando show. Looking forward to it!

Today’s dumb question. When I click on Dealer Showcase, I used to see each individual dealer and then be able to go to that dealer. Now I see just a running list of posts with the dealers all mixed together. Did I accidentally change a setting?

He took the time to reach out to me with some kind words when I needed them most. Seemed like a warm, genuine person. Such a shame… I wish his wife and family Peace in the days ahead.

When someone has a chance, let’s hear some thoughts on the show. I was close to coming this year, but some things came up and I had to defer.

My initial reaction is that the Kane kanji with the 5 lower ‘strokes’ seems a bit ‘odd’. It is usually 4 strokes… but I am far from an expert in this area.

Sorry… old game for kids. Please excuse the hijack…

Or the funny bone from the Operation board game.

Tsuba is tea ceremony (Chanoyu) equipment theme. Feather (haboki), iron pronged stand for the tea kettle (go-toku), tea scoop (chashaku), and small ceramic tea container (chaire). I very much like this theme.