Swords shops in Japan

[Richmond]

Hi guys, well I am lucky enough to be on my way to Japan next month for a look around. Being a total novice to swords, I don't want to walk into an unfriendly swords shop and look like a total gumpy.

Can anyone suggest a friendly sword shop for a novice to respectful have a look about.

 

I will be in Tokyo then Shizouka and travelling about where my wandering nature takes me.

 

Cheers

Steve L

[Den]

Hello Steve,

 

That sounds like it will be a great trip!

 

I haven't been to Japan shopping for nihonto but if I were lucky enough to go I would check out Ginza Choshuya and Aoi Art. I've had very helpful, prompt, friendly email communications with the both of them. They also have some great items on their websites.

 

http://world.choshuya.co.jp/

http://www.aoi-art.com/

[estcrh]

Hi guys, well I am lucky enough to be on my way to Japan next month for a look around. Being a total novice to swords, I don't want to walk into an unfriendly swords shop and look like a total gumpy.

Can anyone suggest a friendly sword shop for a novice to respectful have a look about.

 

I will be in Tokyo then Shizouka and travelling about where my wandering nature takes me.

 

Cheers

Steve L

Steve, if your feeling adventurous and do not mind some detective work..maybe you can check out http://www.gallerysamurai.com/ and give us a report back as to if they actually have as large of a collection of samurai object as they claim.

[IanB]

Steve, Whilst he doesn't normally do swords, Mr. Chigura at Ki no Kunia, just across from the South entrance to Tokyo Station, is well worth a visit. He is really an armour dealer, but his shop is invariably full of the most interesting bits and bobs - usually with some tsuba and other sword-related items. He is also most delightful and friendly and I can invariably find something that I like and more importantly can afford.

Ian bottomley

[Aloof Pegasus]

Hi Steve

 

Tokugawa Art is a small but well stocked shop and the owner whose name has slipped my mind, is very eager to show you everything. The Tokugawa Museum is near the shop, and Nagoya Castle is also well worth a visit. However Nagoya itself is just more urban sprawl and it may not be on your intinerary.

 

Philip

[george trotter]

Steve...

people have mentioned Aoi-Arts...this is just a few yards from the NBTHK in Yoyogi...if you get out of the station at Shibuya there is a police box across the road...they will give you a map to NBTHK and Aoi-Arts and another shop are very close by it, just ask. The walk to NBTHK is quite long, almost a straight line, but about 15/20 minutes.

Also, if you are going to Ginza Choshuya (I've never been), then when you step out of Ginza station, just a few yards right and look right again down the 1st? tiny side street, you will see the sign for Ginza Token Shibata...(if I remember correctly), the younger chap there speaks English. can't guarantee tea and cookies, but they are polite and helpfull.

Hope this helps,

George.

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Steve,

And before you go make sure you are 100% up to snuff with sword etiquette/handling.

Grey

[Richmond]

Thanx everyone, some good spots to checkout and I just can't wait. In regards to swords manners(Grey) yes I have been doing a fair bit of reading about that and do not wish to be considered a ham fisted Aussie.

 

I have promised myself not to buy any more swords whilst in Japan(Kinda) maybe some nice fittings/tsuba's though, even some sake but I will have to drink that.

 

Cheers

Steve L

[Nautilus]

While you will probably not do better than Aoi-Arts (a place which makes my head swim and my wallet weep), if you are down in Kyoto you could do worse than have a gander at Tozando's Nihonto Gallery (close to their Bugo Shop). I know some people locally sniff a little at them for their 'glam' web presence, but they are not only wonderful folks, and have English speaking staff on hand but are more than willing to let respectful visotors 'come to grips' with the inventory (which proved fatal to my credit card last time I was in there...).

[george trotter]

speaking of Kyoto...as you are standing looking at the main entrance into Nijojo (Nijo castle), look to your left...diagonally opposite the left corner of the castle (across the crosswalk) is a sword shop. I forget the name now, but they sell swords, fittings, polishing etc. Worth a look if you are there.

Regards,

George.

[Ichi]

They are Kyoto Token Kobo run by Hashimoto family.

Many good stuffs on upstairs.

 

http://www.insolco.com/Japan-sword/pages/frameset.html

 

Ichi

[Brian]

Do people really find Aoi that good to visit if you are a novice?

Great people, and a heck of a web presence..but there isn't much to see in the shop itself unless you have a decent rapport with them and they are prepared to haul stuff out of the safe to show you. The shop is really tiny, with not much in the way of displays.

So you have to rely on asking what you want to see, and they will try and pull it out for you. As I said..great ppl and very friendly..but wouldn't be my first choice if you want to browse and look at displays.

Correct me if I am wrong, only made it there the one time, and had a great visit. But most of that was conversation.

Btw..there is a very nice little sword shop in the large Ameyoko market in Ueno. Don't even know how to explain how to get there, and came across it purely by accident. But you are guaranteed a cup of tea and some sweets, and a nice conversation about swords.

Of course...that is par for the course for most sword shops, as long as they can see you are serious and not a joker.

 

Brian

[Henry Wilson]

I don't find Aoi Arts visitor friendly. As Brian said very cluttered but you can browse their website and ask to look at stuff. Actually, unless you have loads of cash or see something in particular that you can't live with out, I would not buy anything from a sword shop at all. Make friends and contacts in the sword community. The shops are in it for the money baby.....

[David Flynn]

I'll 3rd On Aoi arts. So tiny, a few of us went there to see a sword a friend was buying. Only 2 at a time could fit!

[Nautilus]

With Aoi, I called a day in advance with an idea of what I would like to see - though in this case I knew I'd be purchasing something - and it ensured that when I did arrive they had the choice items ready for inspection. I found them very friendly, but I sense they are always nervous of people (both local and 'furrin') who might be athwart of Kill Bill Fever.

 

I suppose that is why I rather like Tozando - apart from the fact I get to Kyoto more often than Tokyo: still a small shop, but with nice displays and an ever-flowing tea-pot.

[Richmond]

Good tips guys thanx, Ichi I will being going to Kyoto thanks for the heads up you too george. Now Sake how much can I drink and still speak I will let you know.

 

The trip is primarily for a break from the real world, and to look at some nihonto if I can, nothing serious this time..

 

Cheers

Steve L