Samurai Art Expo Utrecht

[Shugyosha]

Jean,

 

Maybe if I introduce my wife to your wife and sister, they could go off and explore and leave the boys to play with their toys? 

 

Best,

John

[paulb]

I can offer some additional support to that idea. My wife is also coming so we can send out a delegation to explore other interesting parts of Utrecht!!

Not that any will be as interesting as the event of course  

[paulb]

Dear all

I just wanted to update you regarding the forthcoming Samurai Art expo event.

As a result of administrative issues with venue and local authorities it took the organisers a little longer than we hoped to set up the ticketing and payment structure for the show. This is now fully up and running (I purchased my tickets last night). I have summarised below some of the benefits you might expect by attending the show:

 

• The chance to buy from a broad range of authentic Samurai swords and fittings:
For those wishing to purchase authentic Samurai arms and Armour this event offers a unique opportunity to meet dealers from Japan, Europe and North America. No other event in Europe offers the range and quality of items that will be available at this show.

 

• Meet and talk to fellow enthusiasts from around the world
Samurai Art Expo offers the opportunity to meet fellow collectors, new and experienced, from all over the world. It offers a friendly environment for discussion and learning.

 

• A full day of presentations from experienced collectors
The educational programme offers both new and seasoned collectors something of interest. A number of experienced enthusiasts will be sharing their ideas and research on both swords and fittings.

 

• The opportunity to see some of the finest swords and fittings residing outside of Japan
Alongside the Educational programme there will be an exhibition of important items from European collections. This exhibition will include Tokubetsu Juyo and Juyo certified swords, Juyo certified tsuba and small fittings together with many others that have been illustrated in Japanese texts as fine examples of their type.
The exhibition offers visitors a unique opportunity to study high quality workmanship not normally seen outside of Japan.

 

For more information about Samurai Art expo and to purchase tickets visit

 

https://samuraiartexpo.com/

 

Information relating to the exhibition and educational programme can be found by following the links on the website. This information will be regularly updated as details of exhibits are confirmed.

 

As mentioned previously this is the first event of it's type to be held in Europe for very many years. We believe there is a strong desire amongst collectors in Europe to have such an opportunity.

We hope all enthusiasts who have an interest in swords, fittings armour and any other aspect of Samurai art will join us. I believe that if successful this event will form the foundation for further shows in Europe in years to come which will benefit the European Nihonto societies enormously.

I look forward  to seeing as many members of the NMB as possible in Utrecht in June.

[Shugyosha]

Just got my tickets. Yay!! 

[kazarena]

Tickets purchased. See you there!

 

Stan

[paulb]

Look forward to seeing you there gentlemen.

Over the next week I am hoping to compile a preliminary list of some of the exhibits to be seen at the exhibition.

This is being continually added to and adjusted so may be subject to change as we go the final event. However So far we have commitments of 6 Juyo or Tokubetsu Juyo blades. I am hoping we will be able to show excellent examples of work from all sword periods, certainly the mid kamakura through to Gendaito. Swords I know will be there include Awataguchi, Chu Aoe ,Shikkake  Enju alongside some excellent examples of Gassan Sadakatsu work. Further important swords will be added and offer an excellent opportunity to study fine examples of the craft. 

Equally important there will be some very fine examples of iron tsuba and highly rated soft metal fittings as well. Many of these pieces have high level papers and or have been published in leading Japanese references. 

Thanks to the generosity of those contributing exhibits I sincerely believe this event will offer us a unique opportunity to see extremely high quality work and to learn from the experience. I for one have not seen such a concentration of important work of this level outside of Japan. 

[Jussi Ekholm]

Token Society of GB and NBTHK EB are putting up another amazing experience. So much interesting stuff happening throughout the weekend it will be a blast

[Gakusee]

Bought tickets already. A no-brainer mega event of some of the most committed nihontophiles in Europe generously sharing their items but also their knowledge and time with the rest of the community.

Not only will people be able to view and study top swords but also socialise with great friends. And you could buy some of the items from non-European vendors (normally you would need to fly to Japan or North America to view their items in person) in addition to some of the leading European dealers.

Given low cost flying in Europe and actually train/driving being relatively easy there, it should be an easy decision for guys in Germany, France, Belgium etc. And for us in the U.K. - now one can take the train to Amsterdam too

[Gakusee]

Being more of a sword guy, I am actually looking forward to seeing/learning more about armour and fittings, as well as some other decorative arts of ancient Japan. The study items (yet to be fully announced) seem to be outstanding as well. sae flyer_double.pdf

[Shogun8]

Being more of a sword guy, I am actually looking forward to seeing/learning more about armour and fittings, as well as some other decorative arts of ancient Japan. The study items (yet to be fully announced) seem to be outstanding as well. sae flyer_double.pdf

Michael,

 

Do you have any information on any specific lectures, exhibits, dealers, etc. with a focus on armour?

 

John

[paulb]

John

If you go to the website 

www.samuraiartexpo.com and follow the links on the page you can see some of the information you are looking for. These pages will be updated further as the  lists of exhibits are finalised. I am hoping to be able to put together a highlights list of the exhibition within the next 7 to 10 days when the commitments already made are confirmed.

At the moment I don't have any details of armour or parts of armour that are likely to be in the exhibition and the lectures are focussing on swords and fittings. I am not sure if any of the dealers will be armour specialist but an email to the organisers could probably supply the answer.

[Gakusee]

John, not sure about armour lectures (probably not) but there are two armour focused dealers being there: Giuseppe Piva and Phil Leemans. Probably others....

[uwe]

Sounds exciting!

Unfortunately I will not be able to attend. 2018 seems to become "The year of the Samurai" in Europe! Leiden, Berlin, Utrecht.....something is going on!

[Shogun8]

Thanks Paul and Michael!

[paulb]

Dear All

I wanted to keep you informed about some of the things you might expect to see when visiting Samurai Art Expo in June. Below I have copied a provisional list of some of the items that have been offered for the exhibition at the educational event. This list will be added to as we move closer to the show and we will add illustrations as they become available.

As you will see from the list so far this is rapidly becoming an extremely important event for anyone wishing to see high quality reference material. I firmly believe that the exhibition will have the greatest concentration of both high quality blades and fittings to be seen in Europe for very many years. I also believe that it offers people the chance to see the work of artists virtually unseen outside of Japan.

The list below is a taster and by no means complete. It will be posted on both the Samurai Art Expo website and the Token Society of great Britain Facebook page. We will attempt to update it regularly as more exhibits are confirmed. 

We hope you are able to take advantage of this unique opportunity and join us in June.

 

Exhibition Highlights:

1. Bizen Fukuoka-Ichimonji Yoshimune
“tokubetsu-jûyô-tôken“ 28. April 2000
tachi: mei  Yoshimune (吉宗)      (caShôgen (正元, 1259-1260), Province Bizen)
with uchigatana-koshirae

there are few signed tachi by Yoshimune.  This is the only tokubetsu Juyo example another  is Juyo bunkasai and the property of  Tsukubasan-jinja (Prefecture Ibaraki), ex collection of the Daimyo Family  Yanagisawa, published. “Aito Hyakka / Sen  -  100 swords of 100 collectors“ Hayashi Eiroku / Schuppan Tokyo 1972

 

2. Ishiguro Masayoshi soroi-kanagu
jûyô-tôsôgu 25. März 1987
kachô-mushi no zu soroi-kanagu
En suite Set of Flowers, Insects etc
daishô-fuchi, mei:          Ishiguro Masayoshi saku (石黒政美作)
menuki, divided tanzaku-mei:    Ishiguro – Masayoshi (石黒・政美)
kozuka and kôgai, mei:             Jugakusai Masayoshi (寿岳斎政美)
it had been a heirloom of the Shimazu-Famiy (島津) for whom Masayoshi worked from Edo.

 

3.  Hirata Jinbei, 1st Shimizu master Tsuba depicting an owl on a tree in Suemon Zogan, Juyo Tosogu. Ex coll. Hosokawa Gyobu-ke, Komeno Kenichi, Publ. “Higo Kinko Taikan”, “Higo no Kinko”, “Works of Hirata and Shimizu” by Itô Mitsuru, exhibited 1953 Matsusakaya, first exhibition of Kodogu after WW II, exh. at Tokyo National Museum, exh. At Kumamoto Bijutsukan, aso.
Also other works by this particular Master and his descendants,
Manifold standard literature published Sukashi tsuba throughout the ages from famous Japanese collections, exhibited at the Sword Museum Tokyo, Sano Museum, Mishina and other places including Juyo Tosogu

 

4. Awataguchi Norikuni-
A daito with three attributions to the smith, including a sayagaki by Tanobe Michiro Sensei in which he describes it as “A Master Work of the Kamakura period”. 
There are eight Norikuni blades on the Juyo register four are tanto (three have progressed to Tokubetsu Juyo). There are 3x Juyo bunkasai and 3xJuyo bijutsu-hin and 1, a signed, daito Kokuho.

5. Sadakatsu Kogarasu-Maru
Made to celebrate the 2600th anniversary of the founding of the Empire.  It is a copy of the famous Heian period work of the same name

 

6. Mainline Gotô-works by all generations including Juyo tosogu

 

7. Juyo Tensho koshirae, exhibited at the Tokyo National Museum exhibition Uchi-gatana koshirae 1980

 from the Hosokawa- and Matsui-Family heritage with provenances of famous Japanese collections

 

8. Several Higo koshirae from the Hosokawa- and Matsui-Family heritage with provenances of famous Japanese collections

 

From this brief snapshot you can see that the exhibition will offer the visitor a unique opportunity to see items not normally on public display. To see work of this rarity and standard outside of Japan (or even inside) would be extremely difficult.
As the content is being finalised I will add additional information.

for further updates please visit:

www.samuraiartexpo.com

[b.hennick]

Thanks for the update. 

[ROKUJURO]

Paul,

a while ago I applied for tickets, but they were not available and they promised to inform me when pre-event ticket sales would start. No contact since then, so should I be worried?

[paulb]

Hi Jean

There were some admin issues which delayed sales. Ticketing is now up and running on the website so please have another go. If you have any problems pm me and I will follow up for you

Best Regards

Paul

[ROKUJURO]

Paul,

thank you! I have got my ticket!

I have a question regarding the Netherland's laws of transporting weapons. In case I wanted to bring a blade or two to the show, how should I proceed to avoid having them confiscated? 

[paulb]

Dear Jean

I suggest you contact the organisers via their website and check with them. They will have the most up to date view on this. In all discussions to date this has not been considered a major issue  (actually not an issue at all) but I agree we need to be aware of any local requirements.

I will also be transporting swords to the event and will be carrying them in a secure bag that prevents immediate access as required by UK law. I have drafted a letter from the organisers and the Token Society confirming the reason why someone is carrying a sword to the event which might also be of help. If you let me have your email address via pm I  forward it to you.

best regards

Paul

[DaveT]

All Booked, see you there guys!

[paulb]

On the samurai art expo website later this week I hope to post an updated and illustrated list of some of the pieces on display . While still not comprehensive it will give more detail of some of the beautiful pieces on show. At the last count the exhibition will include 2 or 3 Tokubestu Juyo swords, 6 Juyo blades alongside many other important pieces. We hope to have good examples from all sword periods on show. There will also be a number of Juyo koshirae and individual fittings. I think this will be a truly memorable display. Make sure you take the opportunity to see it!

details can be seen on:

www.samuraiartexpo.com

[Andi B.]

See you there!

[paulb]

DearAll

we have just posted additional information regarding what will be on show at the exhibition on Saturday 16th June. Rather than take up space on the board please follow the link below to the Token Society of Great Britain website where the latest additions have been listed and illustrated.

The pieces listed to date are by no means definitive and further beautiful pieces will be confirmed over the next couple of weeks. We are expecting to show examples from each period and major traditions. Hope to see you there!

 

https://samuraiartexpo.com/blog/

 

http://to-ken.uk/onewebmedia/Additional%20exhibits%20at%20Samurai%20Art%20Expo.pdf

 

 

edited to add Samurai Art expo site for more information

[paulb]

With thirty days to go before the start of Samurai Art expo I wanted to update you on progress.
Although we are still adding to the exhibition which will run alongside the educational programme it is already becoming very impressive. Amongst the 15+ swords on show there will be:
There are currently 11 long swords confirmed including Fukuoka Ichimonji, ko and Chu Aoe pieces with examples of, Yamashiro, Soshu and Mino work as well. All are of exceptional quality and in excellent condition
As well as the koto blades there are some beautiful examples of Shinto workmanship including Kunehiro, Terukane, Masahiro and Hisamichi
Alongside the blades on display there will be an exceptional range of tsuba and koshirae. This will include some of the finest iron tsuba that can be seen outside of Japan (actually you would struggle to see work of this quality in Japan as well). Many are examples published in top reference books. In addition there will be a number of Juyo certified koshirae including a beautiful Tensho work last seen in the Solingen exhibition and the Ishiguru koshirae that accompanies the Tokubetsu Juyo Yoshimune.
In case it wasn’t already apparent I am becoming extremely excited about this show.  If you consider that in addition to the above there is a 3 day commercial event with dealers from Japan, Europe and North America in attendance selling a wide range of authenticated Samurai arms armour and associated art and a full day of presentations and discussion in the education hall this is an event not to be missed.
In 2002 I didn’t go to the Solingen event and have regretted that missed opportunity for the past 16 years.
If you haven’t made up your mind to attend then can I strongly recommend you join us for what I am sure will be an unforgettable experience for anyone with an interest in the art and culture of the Samurai.
For more details and to buy tickets please visit:
www.samuraiart expo.com
I look forward to meeting members of the NMB at the show.

[paulb]

Dear All,
Samurai Art expo is fast approaching and as said previously I believe it promises to be an exceptional event. However I admit to being a little confused at present. To date in any discussion I have had relating to the event people have confirmed that they are attending, that they have organized flights, hotels etc, but to date few of those who have said they are attending have actually purchased tickets. I would like to make the following points:
• Whether you are intending to be there for the whole show or a single day the most cost effective and simplest way to buy tickets is online from the Samurai Art expo website prior to the event. www.samuraiartexpo.com

• Not only will this save you money and speed up your access it will help the organisers assess the likely level of attendance and ensure all necessary logistical issues are covered.

• For many years members of various European societies have looked with envy at the events which take place in the USA and Japan and wanted to do something similar here. This event is the first to be held in Europe for many years and is an opportunity to create a foundation for further annual shows in the future.

As I have said in previous posts this event offers collectors and students an opportunity the like of which has not been seen in Europe for many years. If we want such events in the future we need to support this one and prove to those making the effort and financial commitment to organize and attend with their collections, knowledge and enthusiasm it is worthwhile.
If you are planning to attend and have yet to buy your tickets can I urge you to do so.
Best Regards

[Jean]

French membe s,

 

Please, do it. You will have a fantastic opportunity what most of you have never seen in Europe, best Nihonto from Japan and USA. Please don’t miss this opportunity. Try to convince your friends to come by, it will be a test. If it works, we could have this event become a yearly one. Otherwise, noone shall have any right to complain that nothing happens in Europe.

[Jean]

In order to spot NMB members at the exhibition (it is Rokujo’s idea), it will be fine if people wear a badge identifying them, like:

 

NMB

 

Jean

[paulb]

I think that is an excellent idea. I have been previously frustrated to attend events only to find that long term NMB friends have also been there but we didnt meet!

With regard to the show I have just posted the following update on the token of GB facebook page:

 

Although the lists on the website give an indication of what will be on show it is far from complete. On the last count there will be approximately 120 iron tsuba all of which are regarded as important examples of their type, more than 50 other tsuba and fittings, 15 to 20 swords as previously described and a number of original and certified full koshirae. I believe collectors from our various societies have been extremely generous in enabling these to be shared, I think it will be an exceptional display

 

I don't believe such a comprehensive range of high quality  iron tsuba will have ever been seen in one place in Europe before. Likewise the number of koshirae and other fittings will be exceptional. 

As we are putting this together I find myself wishing the exhibition would be together for several months rather than a single day (perhaps that is the next project!!!)

[Guido]

Although I have no shortage of possibilities to see excellent swords & fittings here in Japan, I'd love to attend - if it only was for meeting NMB members, and to learn what kind of items are collected by Europeans. Alas, no way to make it there ...

 

I wish all attendees a great time, and success to the organizers!