Keichodo

Greetings everyone! Please see the attachments for a sword I have that was made in 1993 by sword smith Yamamura Takeshi (Soushu Tsunahiro: 24th generation Masamune). Sadly, Yamamura Tsunahiro passed away on Dec. 9 in 2023 at the age of 80. Best Regards, Robert

Thank you Brett! It is a rare success for sure!

Thank you Rohan for the English versions....

Report From Japan An announcement regarding the NBTHK special exhibition titled: The "29th Newly Designated Special Important Swords And Fittings Exhibition being held at The Japanese Sword Museum! This exhibition of newly designated Tokubetsu Juyo treasures will run from Saturday, June 6th through to Monday, July 20th. There were 31 newly designated Tokubetsu Juyo blades, two tsuba, and a mitokorimono. Luckily, my item, a Den Shizu katana became Tokubetsu Juyo. It is item number 11 currently on display. Within this exhibition, there are also on display eight special items on loan from various sources. Lastly, the exhibition also includes 15 items that were donated to the Japanese Sword Museum (Touken Hakubutsukan) over the course of last year by four Japanese collectors: Mr. Nara, Mr. Jinai, Mr. Seki, and Mr. Oka. Admission for NBTHK members is yen 700. Non-member admission is yen 1000. Students admitted for yen 500. Children under 15 are allowed free admission. The exhibition following this special exhibition is titled: Contemporary Swords and Artworks - The Ancient Techniques Inherited For Generations. It will run from Saturday, August 1st through to Sunday, August 30th.

Visitors to Japan for the Dai Token Ichi who will be around the week following the DTI, should consider a trip to Nagoya to Token World to see the exhibition that opens on November 1st (running until next year January 18th) featuring Kiyomaro, Naotane, and Masahide! This museum is closed on Mondays. Hope to see you in Japan! Robert Hughes

With a heavy heart from a recent phone call from Minako Schiller, I wish to report that Guido has taken his leave from this plane of existence! Guido was an early and a long time member of NMB! From his posts, you will recall he was not shy and well... he called a Panzer ... a Panzer! As a career diplomat, he served the German Embassy as an Attache in several Asian countries. He greatly enjoyed his two postings at the embassy in Tokyo. This was certainly his sweet spot because he was very much at home in Japan. In all our years of associating in Japan, I cannot recall a time when we didn't imbibe when meeting. any occasion was an opportunity or an excuse for a Kampai! We had no illusions of grandeur... it was either beer or nihonshu... or beer then nihonshu. We traveled a lot together domestically but only once internationally when we ventured over to Macao! Suspicious minds out there... I know what you are thinking! No, it was not to gamble! We had been invited to attend the gala events for the opening of the History of Steel in Asia Exhibition at the newly opened Macao Art Museum (MAM). Guido, Roger Robertshaw, and I were honored guests for we contributed the entire display of Japanese swords, tsuba, and armor for the three month exhibition. All our items from Japan were shipped through the Embassy diplomatic channel. Edged weapons from seven Asian countries were on display as the Chinese government made their pitch to demonstrate the historical importance of their homeland in the development of edged weapons. Guido was an avid collector! When he was stationed in New York at the United Nations, he collected some fine Civil War firearms including a nice Sharps rifle, a Henry rifle, and several cap and ball revolvers. While in Jakarta, he put together a collection of Kris blades, and in Japan he was in Nihonto heaven and he developed a netsuke collection as well. In mid 2021, during Covid, Guido was recalled to Germany to take his final posting for his remaining two years prior to retirement. To this end, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Her Excellency Ina Lepel sent out a limited number of invitations for the farewell dinner for Mr. and Mrs. Schiller held on May 17 at 7 p.m. at her residence. During this solemn period of emergency pandemic privation, on the day in question, my wife and I made our way to the German Embassy to determine if there really was cause for celebration and if the rumors were true. In fact, Her Excellency Ambassador Ina Lepel, had indeed made great arrangements to send Guido and Minako Schiller back to Germany. It had not been determined if this action resulted from an infraction or if it were a benevolent gesture. It was entirely possible that Attache Schiller had been doing good work and this reassignment was, in fact, a reward. Yet, was it a reward to send a man home to sausage and sauerkraut after years of eating Tokyo’s finest sashimi and raw oysters? Is it even possible to willingly give up the range of heavenly sake found in Japan? What hypnotic spell could shots of Apfelkorn or Rumpel Minze Schnapps have over the infinite variety of locally brewed sake? To this day, these questions remain unanswered… unsolved mysteries and unanswered questions to compete with Guido's speculation on the missing Masamune sword. Like a Teutonic knight, loyal to the order, Herr Schiller was indeed packaged up and moved to his ancestral home. Unfortunately, the final stage of Guido's employment was not completed. He suffered a massive stroke and fell into a coma from which he never recovered. He remained in this state until October 10th, 2025. He is now only with us in our memories of his deeds, a man who served his country well as he rose to officer level in the army and then entered diplomatic service. Of greater importance was his service to his family, to his wife Minako and his daughter Hana. Sadly, Guido never got the opportunity to play with his new granddaughter. Guido is greatly missed... by me... his drinking buddy... I mourn this loss!

Greetings sword connoisseurs! If you have time please check out the latest edition (#15) of Super Samurai Market that Paul Kremers and I created especially to herald the Dai Token Ichi which will be held on November 1st and 2nd! We hope to see you in Tokyo! Best Regards, Robert Hughes https://youtu.be/Z64qdjk92LU

Greetings Samurai Fine Art Mavens! If you are venturing to Japan for the Dai Token Ichi you may wish to participate in these extra events.... Best Regards, Robert Hughes Cinq study session (Oct. 30th) offered with Seikodo in Ginza! This popular event will be offered on Thursday Oct. 30th from 5:30 p.m. Participation fee including the dinner party is yen 8,000. Arrival time will be from 5:30 p.m. at Cinq (restaurant) for the sword viewing, followed by a discussion of the swords at 6:30. Lastly, the dinner party will follow the sword discussion at around 7:00 ... Attendance by advance reservation only. Contact Robert Hughes at keichodo@yahoo.com in order to participate. Saturday, Nov. 1st Yakatabune Tokyo Bay Cruise..... Arrangements: This event is scheduled for Saturday, November 1st, with a bus pick-up in front of the Tokyo Bijitsu Club from 5:30 p.m. The Yakatabune sails at 6:00 p.m. Participation by advance reservation only. Notification to attend is also a commitment to pay! Cost is yen 13,200 per participant (tax included) all inclusive food and drinks. Contact Robert Hughes at keichodo@yahoo.com in order to participate.

Greetings sword mavens! In case you cannot make it to the Dai Token Ichi in 2024, there is always next year! At the recent meeting of the National Commercial Sword Dealer's Association, the organization behind the Dai Token Ichi, the dates for 2025 were confirmed. It will be the first weekend in November, so Saturday, November 1st and Sunday, November 2nd! Lots of notice in advance for you to make your plans! Best Regards, Robert Hughes Keichodo

Tokyo Dai Token Ichi Additional Events For 2024 This is an invitation for overseas visitors who will visit Japan to attend the Dai Token Ichi 1) Sword Study Session at Cinq on Thursday, October 31st.. (Organized by Seikodo and Keichodo) On Thursday, October 31st, there will be a sword study and dinner party again in Ginza at the Italian Restaurant Cinq (same venue as previous years). Location is quite convenient. Participant fee is yen 5,000 (for the venue) and the dinner party will be sponsored by Mr. Hisashi Saito of Seikodo. Pay participant fee on arrival at the venue. Once again, the date will be Thursday, Oct. 31st! Arrival time will be from 5:30 p.m. for the sword study. Discussion of swords at 6:30 and the dinner party will follow the sword study at around 7:15 ... Attendance by advance reservation only! Contact: Robert Hughes at keichodo@yahoo.com Cinq - Access For the Thursday study session, it is very easy to find the venue "Cinq" from inside the Metro System (subway). You go to Ginza Station (on the Ginza line), then go up one level from the platform to the underground concourse and find the B-6 exit. The restaurant/club is called Cinq and it is half way up the exit stairwell. So, you don't even have to exit onto street level, it is right inside the metro underground network. It is very convenient....no long walk or need for a taxi. The actual street address for Cinq is Ginza 5-4-3 Taikakukan B1 which is the building with the B6 subway entrance, so go down the first flight of subway entrance stairs and you will find Cinq at the first stair landing. Cinq address: 東京都中央区銀座 5-4-3 対鶴館 B1 〒104-0061 Taikakukan B1, 5-4-3 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 2) Saturday, Nov. 2nd Yakatabune Tokyo Bay Cruise Dinner Party with plenty to eat and all you can drink..... (organized by Keichodo) Arrangements: This event is being planned for Saturday, November 2nd! As in the past, participants can leave from in front of Dai Token Ichi (Tokyo Bijitsu Club) at 6:30 p.m. Cruise to start from 7:00 p.m. Participation by advance reservation only. Contact: Robert Hughes at keichodo@yahoo.com... Your reservation must be confirmed by October 31st. Notification to attend is also a commitment to pay if event is held (weather permitting)... Cost is yen 12,000 per participant (tax included) to be paid by noon on November 2nd at the Keichodo stall at the DTI. If you plan on going directly to the venue to board the mighty vessel without riding the bus, please notify in advance as a head count is conducted prior to the bus departure. Again, participation will be by advance reservation only. Reservations need to be finalized/confirmed 48 hours prior to the event. No cancellations after reservation commitment please… Notification to attend is also a commitment to pay. Cost yen 12,000 per participant (including sales tax) to be paid by 12:00 noon at the DTI.

Greetings everyone! Here is the latest promotional video Paul Kremers and I created for Touken Matsumoto in Nishi-Kasai Tokyo! Stay well! Robert Hughes Super Samurai Market Episode No. 11 for Token Matsumoto May 2024 Overview: https://www.youtube..../watch?v=IergGDqHlDQ Item #1 https://www.youtube..../watch?v=7ekP_Yp5rD4 Katana (KA-0623) Motomitsu from Osafune, Bizen Province Back: In March [illegible] （Nambokucho to Oei Period). Juyo Token in shirasaya ¥7,000,000 Web details https://www.touken-m...duct/shousai/KA-0623 Item #2 https://www.youtube..../watch?v=ofj95j-1IJw Katana (KA-0615) Kawachi Daijo Fujiwara Kunisada Early Edo Period. Tokubetsu Hozon Token in shirasaya/with koshirae ¥850,000 Web details https://www.touken-m...duct/shousai/KA-0615 Item #3 https://www.youtube..../watch?v=0aLROOSu3LU Kozuka (KOZ-2795) Design: Westerner [Spaniard/Portuguese] and European dog in the Muromachi Period Mumei: attributed to the Goto Tradition during the Momoyama Period Hozon Tosogu ¥200,000 Web details https://www.touken-m...uct/shousai/KOZ-2795 Item #4 https://www.youtube..../watch?v=DwZ6j5DAB3c Fuchi-kashira (FU-1979) Design: The Tale of Genji Mei: Shokatei Motohiro（with Kao）Hozon Tosogu ¥200,000 Web details: https://www.touken-m...duct/shousai/FU-1979

Super Samurai Market - Episode 9: Japanese swords and fittings at Token Matsumoto Part 8 https://www.youtube..../watch?v=AftMf0EoilY This Episode of Super Samurai Market again takes us to Token Matsumoto a sword dealer in Nishi Kasai just 30 minutes from Tokyo station. If you are interested in purchasing any of the presented items please find them here: https://www.touken-matsumoto.jp/en The individual item video presentations are linked below. Four items from the shop are presented. 1. Katana by Hizen Tadahiro yen 1,500,000 https://www.touken-matsumoto.jp/en/pr... VIDEO LINK: • Super Samurai Market - Episode 9 - It... 2. Tanto by Kanesaki yen 650,000 https://www.touken-matsumoto.jp/en/pr... VIDEO LINK: • Super Samurai Market - Episode 9 - It... 3. Tsuba by Tojusai Masakatsu yen 500,000 https://www.touken-matsumoto.jp/en/pr... VIDEO LINK: • Super Samurai Market - Episode 9 - It... 4. Kozuka, Ko-Mino yen 500,000 https://www.touken-matsumoto.jp/en/pr... VIDEO LINK: • Super Samurai Market - Episode 9 - It...

Hi Andrew! I have sent you a message. Best, Robert

2024 NBTHK SHINSA SCHEDULE AND SUBMISSION ISSUES *In addition to shinsa registration now being the month prior to shinsa submission, there are also quota limits for the number of items accepted. Registration should be done early in the shinsa registration period as the quota can be reached within a few days. Anyone considering sending swords to Japan for shinsa needs to be aware of the time constraints. Swords shipped to Japan must arrive prior to the end of the month in order for a licensing appointment the following month. Once licensed, the sword is eligible for shinsa registration after the month of licensing (if shinsa is offered). Shinsa submission follows in the month after shinsa registration. This means just getting a sword into Japan and submitted for licensing and shinsa is a minimum four month process or longer depending on when the shinsa is offered. 2024 April Tokubetsu Juyo Shinsa Submission dates 4/1-4/3 on-line registration 3/1-3/25 May Kodogu Hozon/Tokubetsu H. Submission dates 5/7-5/9 on-line registration 4/1-4/25 June Swords Hozon/Tokubetsu H. Submission dates 6/3-6/5 on-line registration 5/1-5/25 Aug. Kodogu Hozon/Tokubetsu H. Submission dates 8/5-8/7 on-line registration 7/1-7/25 Sept. Swords Hozon/Tokubetsu H. Submission dates 9/2-9/4 on-line registration 8/1-8/25 Oct. Juyo Shinsa Swords/Tosogu Submission dates 10/1-10/3 on-line registration 9/1-9/25 Nov. Kodogu Hozon/Tokubetsu H. Submission dates 11/5-11/7 on-line registration 10/1-10/25 Dec. Swords Hozon/Tokubetsu H. Submission dates 12/2-12/4 on-line registration 11/1-11/25 2025 Feb. Kodogu Hozon/Tokubetsu H. Submission dates 2/3-2/5 on-line registration 1/1-1/25 March Swords Hozon/Tokubetsu H. Submission dates 3/3-3/5 on-line registration 2/1-2/25 Best Regards, Robert Hughes

The shop using the label "Orthosis" for "Kodogu" is Ms. Miura's shop in Saitama. The connection is most likely, as speculated above, in the concept of "supporting accoutrements" for swords... I will tease her the next time I see her at a sword auction. I will ask her how her "orthosis" sales are going....