Keichodo

Thanks Barry....

Okay Stephen.... Will make a note of your interests... not sure exactly what will surface.....

Announcement of Upcoming Event! Japanese sword and fittings sale livestreamed from Hikone, Japan! Saturday 17th June 2023, starting from around 11:00 am JST until around 3:00 pm JST (Japan standard Time)… New York: Friday 16th June 10:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. San Francisco: Friday 16th June 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. Berlin: Saturday 17th 4 a.m. – 8 a.m. Full details available at homepage: www.SuperSamuraiMarket.com (the YouTube live link is available on the homepage) Sword and fittings connoisseurs, Tsuba.info (Paul Kremers) and Keichodo (Robert Hughes) are cooperatively proposing live on-line sales from regional sword exhibitions around Japan. Most international collectors of samurai art are aware of the world renowned Dai Token Ichi, the premier samurai art event in the world. However, what may not be understood is that almost every week there are smaller regional sword exhibitions and events all over Japan. Super Samurai Market offers real time purchasing of regional sword and fittings exhibitions with a YouTube Livestream…. Super Samurai Market is a commercial venue for participants to be able to purchase from Japan all manner of fine samurai art from including swords, sword fittings, and armor. To enable commercial success of this venture, the agents of Super Samurai Market will add a 10% commission fee as well as the shipping fees. For sword purchases, there will also be a processing fee of yen 15,000 to obtain the necessary document for export and Japan customs clearance. Many of the regional Japanese events are cooperative ventures of small groups of dealers. With Super Samurai Market, our intention is to showcase items that are being offered at these events at the existing dealer prices. Therefore, international viewers can see in real time a broad selection of swords and fittings being offered at Japanese domestic prices. With Samurai Super Market, we will act as your purchasing agents to secure fine treasures and deliver them to your address using postal EMS shipping.

Greetings samurai art connoisseurs, See below for the upcoming NBTHK shinsa schedule for the next year! Also, please keep in mind when sending swords to Japan, that the sword has to arrive in Japan in the month prior to licensing in order for licensing to be arranged. In other words, if you want to put a sword in the June sword shinsa in order to get a Tokubetsu Hozon result to be eligible for the October Juyo shinsa, you would have to ship your sword in early April to be licensed in May to submit in June.... Yes... some serious lead time.... Best Regards, Robert 2023-24 NBTHK Shinsa Schedule Note: Shinsa submission now requires pre-registration which can be done on-line but the deadline is the 25th of the previous month. 2023 May Fittings submission dates (5/8-5/10) June Swords submission dates (6/5-6/7) August Fittings submission dates (8/1-8/3) September Swords submission dates (9/4-9/6) October Juyo Shinsa submission dates (10/2-10/4) November Fittings submission dates (11/6-11/8) December Swords submission dates (12/4-12/6) 2024 Shinsa Schedule February Fittings submission dates (2/5-2/7) March Swords submission dates (3/4-3/6)

The lists of items to be displayed are attached here... Sorry no time to offer a translated list... Spend a quiet New Year's day polishing your Japanese skills..... Best, Robert 68th Juyo Exhibition Listing 3.pdf 68th Juyo Exhibition Listing 2.pdf 68th Juyo Exhibition Listing 1.pdf 68th Juyo Exhibition Listing 4.pdf

Greetings Sword Friends, The newly designated Juyo pieces (2022) will be displayed in a special exhibition in 2023 from January 7th through to February 26th. The Cho Aritoshi belonging to Ron Hartmann for which I handled restoration is going to be the third sword in the line-up. The spectacular koshirae that needed some touch-ups belonging to Danny Massey is also going to be displayed in this exhibition! Please see the attachments! Generally, less than half of the newly designated swords/fittings make it into the special exhibition, so it is truly an honor for Ron and Danny to have their collected treasures on display! So, sword and fittings mavens, all the best for 2023! Best, Robert 68th Juyo Exhibition 1.pdf 68th Juyo Exhibition 2.pdf

Please click on the https url address to get to the location to download the catalog! The image is just for show and is not a hyperlink to the catalog... I hope to see you at the DTI! Best Regards, Robert Hughes Member Zentosho https://www.zentosho.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022catalogue2.pdf

Greetings Sword Friends! Now that entry into Japan has become simplified, I hope many of you are considering taking in the Dai Token Ichi for 2022 on November 18, 19, and 20! As in the past, I would like to invite overseas visitors to participate in two additional events that have become traditions! Tokyo DTI Additional Events On Wed. Nov. 16th, 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. Sword study is yen 5,000 (for the venue) and the dinner party will be sponsored by Hisashi Saito of Seikodo. Once again, the date will be Wednesday Nov. 16th. 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 7:00 ... Attendance by advance reservation only. Please notify Robert Hughes (keichodo@yahoo.com) as soon as possible if you will attend! Friday Nov. 18th Yakatabune Tokyo Bay Cruise.....Arrangements: This event is tentatively scheduled for Friday, November 18th, but final determination to proceed will depend on the number of interested participants. As in the past, participants would leave from in front of DTI at 6:30 p.m. Cruise to start from 7:00 p.m. Participation by advance reservation only. Notification to attend is also a commitment to pay if event is held...Cost yen 11,000 per participant (sales tax has gone up to 10%). Please notify Robert Hughes (keichodo@yahoo.com) as soon as possible! Organizer reserves the right to cancel the event if the number of willing participants does not reach 20.... Let's all dine, drink, and sail again mates! Best Robert

The Return of the Umeki Family Sword https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/general-news/20220705-42741/ Some of you may have seen the headlines announcing how a Japanese sword returned home several weeks ago to the Umeki family in southern Japan. The news story details Kevin Chroust’s successful account of returning a sword his grandfather had retrieved from a beach in Okinawa where a number of confiscated weapons had been piled up at the end of W.W. II hostilities. Although not mentioned in the news article, I can modestly say I played a small part in assisting Kevin to complete his mission. Kevin reached out to me several months prior to his journey to Japan through an introduction by Mark Jones. I offered advice pertaining to sword licensing and made arrangements for the sword to be licensed prior to Kevin’s arrival through my friend Hisashi Saito at Seikodo. With Kevin on and off during his Japan visitation, many experiences were enjoyed and the beer taps flowed. Memorable adventures included a visit to show the sword to Tanobe Sensei who corroborated my kantei of the sword as sue-koto. There were some Kashu features in the work, but Mr. Tanobe evaluated it as a Seki/Mino production and he suggested a couple of smiths. With this information Kevin and I travelled to Seki and we spent an afternoon in the Seki Sword Museum where much can be learned about this regional center of sword production. While in Seki, we visited the sword forge of the talented father/son Kanemichi smiths. On a blistering hot day, they fired up the forge to give Kevin an appreciation of summer heat… and hot iron: the full combination of earth, wind, water, and fire. As we were in the area we also took in the Masamune exhibit at the Tokugawa Art Museum in Nagoya. These were a few of the highlights that supplied a solid foundation for Kevin to understand the sword, prior to returning it to the Umeki family. By the way, Kevin is a journalist and no stranger to adventure. Read this account of his daring bull sprint in Pamplona, Spain. https://themorningnews.org/article/the-bull-passes-through As you can see in the photograph, Tanobe Sensei, former director of research at the Tokyo sword museum, looks very well and has recovered from his serious traffic accident when he was knocked off his bicycle by a delivery truck. He has evolved from a walker to a cane, and now to pretty much free mobility. I have monitored his progress over several visits since the accident. Many years have passed since my first meeting with Tanobe Sensei in 1986 at the old sword museum, a fifteen minute walk from my apartment at the time in Shinjuku. Prior to Kevin’s return to Denver, the full support cast assembled at TY Harbor Brewery on the Tokyo waterfront for an epic five hour session of sword banter and libations…. In the house was renowned NY/Tokyo photographer Shina Peng. Check out her portfolio here: https://shinapeng.com/portfolio Stay tuned for the full report as Kevin was on assignment for Outside Magazine and his fleshed out story will be coming our way in late November/early December with Shina’s photographs. Oh…. you might have to buy the magazine…. nobody rides for free!

Hi Richard, I see no one has taken the time to answer your inquiry. I have shipped 8 sword shipments to the US in the past three months using EMS postal shipments. Depending on the destination the shipping time varies from five days (New York) to ten to twelve days out in the boonies.... but so far no serious obstacles. Depending on the destination, there may be a delay of four or five days but deliveries are being made. However, EMS out of Japan to other countries is now very difficult. Europe is pretty much at a standstill. Best, Robert

Greetings sword friends! Here is an update pertaining to the DTI for 2022! (Subject to change depending upon circumstances) The All Japan Commercial Sword Dealer's Association is planning on holding the Dai Token Ichi on Friday November 18th, Saturday November 19th, and Sunday November 20th. The pre-DTI sword study session that I manage will be held on Wednesday evening, November 16th. Depending upon how things look in autumn regarding entry issues to Japan and the number of overseas visitors, then I might set up another Yakatabune party event as we need a little celebration in our lives! Usually I arrange the Yakatabune Party on Friday night after the first day of DTI mania.... Updates will be posted on my Keichodo Fine Samurai Art Facebook group and I will also post details on NMB for the general membership.

2022年度　NBTHK Shinsa Dates And New Procedure for Shinsa Submission Greetings sword friends! I thought it worthwhile to post an update regarding NBTHK shinsa procedures as they have evolved a bit. Mostly, it is about advanced preparation to be eligible to submit items into shinsa. Previously, you could just show up on the days for shinsa submission and drop off the items. Now it requires pre-registration! See below! I previously made this announcement on my new Keichodo Fine Samurai Art Facebook group (check it out), but will continue to make announcements for the NMB as well. NBTHK new requirements: Items for shinsa submission must be pre-registered during the month preceding shinsa. If you fill out shinsa forms by hand, these have to be submitted prior to the 10th day of the month preceding shinsa. If you fill out the forms on-line, these have to be submitted prior to the 25th of the preceding month. April Tokubetsu Juyo 27th shinsa (submission days for items April 4-6) May Hozon/Tokubetsu Hozon fittings (submission days for items May 9-11) June Hozon/Tokubetsu Hozon swords (submission days for items June 1-3) August Hozon/Tokubetsu Hozon fittings (submission days for items Aug. 1-3) September Hozon/Tokubetsu Hozon swords (submission days for items Sept. 5-7) October Juyo Shinsa (68th) (submission dates Oct. 3-5) November Hozon/Tokubetsu Hozon fittings (submission days for items Nov. 7-9) December Hozon/Tokubetsu Hozon swords (submission days for items Dec. 5-7) February Hozon/Tokubetsu Hozon fittings (submission days for items Feb. 1-3) March Hozon/Tokubetsu Hozon swords (submission days for items March 1-3)

Dear friends, It is heartwarming to see the concern felt for Guido. Please keep him in your thoughts and meditations. However, it seems the rumor mill was spinning recently regarding his situation. Guido was given follow-up surgery in December to relieve pressure that was still being exerted on his brain. The situation is still dire as there are few signs of improvement other than some eye activity and some wrist movement, but these small signs are positive. It is not known where this will lead and whether any rehabilitation can be effective. Sadly, I have nothing more to report at this time, but if I receive any developmental news, I will certainly keep our community informed. Best Regards, Robert

Hi Stephen, Wise is very efficient. However, you will have to have the precise name and details that are registered with the domestic account you are transferring to in Japan. Wise actually executes the domestic transfer in Japan. Any variation in the name, order of name, etc. will prevent the transfer from going through because it is a computer transfer. For example, if the account name is in kanji, you will have to use those kanji. If it is a non-Japanese name in katakana, then you will have to use katakana. Whoever you are sending funds to can give you the exact information and you can copy and past it into the Wise on-line transfer form. Good luck with your transfer.... Best, Robert

Hi Brian No ... not so far.... nothing positive to share.... I will reach out to Minako to find out if there have been any developments. Best, Robert

Greetings sword friends, I am reporting a sad, serious state of affairs here related to our German friend Guido Schiller. I have just spoken with Guido's wife, Minako, and she said Guido has been in intensive care in Germany since some time in October. The stroke has robbed him of speech and mobility. At this point, the physicians have not indicated prognosis, other than it is going to take time. Some friends had contacted me because their mail to Guido went unanswered and now we know why. Please send positive cosmic energy to Guido. NMB still needs his dry and clever wit! Best, Robert Hughes

Greetings sword collecting friends! Although the DTI is cancelled this year, the cooperating dealers had already made preparations for an on-line catalog for the event prior to cancellation. The decision was made to publish the on-line catalog and interested parties can contact the dealers to find out about the featured pieces. Not quite the same as attending the DTI in all its glory and excitement but paging through the on-line catalog might bring you a little satisfaction. The PDF version is too large (119 pages) to attach here so go directly to the website and download a version for your viewing pleasure. https://www.zentosho.com/daitoukenichi/ Click the big red panel in the middle of the page (it has a PDF designation) Best Wishes Robert Hughes Member: Keichodo All Japan Commercial Sword Dealer's Association

2021 Dai Token Ichi Cancelled Sadly, yesterday (Sept. 28th) at a board meeting of the Zentosho Kumiai Directors (All Japan Commercial Sword Dealer's Association) the decision was made to cancel the Dai Token Ichi for this year. The decision was not made lightly as many sword aficionados in Japan and around the world were following this closely with the expectation it would brighten up the mood among collectors of samurai treasures. The venue management was concerned about social distancing, pandemic cluster issues, and negative publicity. It made little sense to compromise the event by trying to regulate crowd movement within the exhibition/sale hall. Sorry for those who planned to attend. Let's hope we can enjoy the event in 2022! Best Robert Hughes Member All Japan Commercial Sword Dealer's Association

Hi John, If you go back to the last katana koshirae I posted and click on the photo enlarge it, you will see a similar style. This is commonly referred to as "tsuishu" but the terminology varies in different localities. There are many different color combinations, but usually done in three distinct colors. e.g.. green, black, and gold. I will post a few more.... Best, Robert

Last wakizashi of the day.... this one has a brown gloss saya and a silk kincha wrap..... Best, Robert

Another wakizashi....just for contrast. The saya finish is a mottled dull red with black with a jabara maki tsuka with exposed menuki. Best, Robert

Here is a regal wakizashi for your viewing pleasure. The majestic color of the jabara maki is best described as Byzantine purple. While the saya is finished in black ishime which is reminiscent of the porous surface of a stone..... Best, Robert

Hi everyone, I have time to add a few more custom order koshirae projects for your viewing pleasure . I neglected to mention that the clients supplied their own period fittings for all these projects. The next koshirae is an attention seeker with exposed solid gold botan menuki set off with red samegawa and black ito. The saya finish is tsuishu with a red base and black and gold veins. Best, Robert

Greetings everyone! Thank you for the compliments. All the work to create these koshirae is done by trained Japanese artisan/tradespeople. I just handle the project from start to finish. I have been involved in such project work in Japan since 1986 when I needed to get my own blades set up in koshirae for training. Every year, I would help my sword acquaintances get several koshirae made but I didn't aggressively promote this business as I have been teaching in Japanese universities and colleges for over forty years. At 65, I will face mandatory retirement from my university, so I am now thinking about expanding this service as the next stage of my employment in Japan. Unfortunately, I didn't take photos of all the projects due to time limitations, but I have many that will serve as a kind of catalog. If you have a project, feel free to discuss it with me through my e-mail address: keichodo@yahoo.com... P.S. Axel....the sageo knot is a known variant in Japan.... not sure exactly what the name is..... keep checking sources and you will likely find it... it is too nice for me just to make it up myself.... I will post a few more koshirae when I have time but this week will be busy at university.... Best, Robert

Okay.....one more for today..... This koshirae has a white jabaramaki tsuka with a black lacquered samesaya.... It is not so easy to find such large ray skins these days.... but I have a few ready to go! Best, Robert