The registration car for Japanese sword is issued by the Education Bureau if the sword meet the following requirements.
1. The sword is made in Japan.
2. The sword is made by the Japanese traditional production method.
3. The sword is made by the traditional Tamahagane.
However, because of 3 sensei(inspectors) inspect more than 100 Japanese swords in several hours.
Therefore, there may be the case that the registration card is issued by mistake.
A registration card is also issued for stainless Gunto for Navy.....Takayama-to...:-)
As the inspection standard has been more strict since 2009, any Japanese swords that don't pass the inspection will be disposed at blast furnace.
Mitsuhiro.