Bruno

I just asked the seller. Wait and see...

Hi Bruce, It would be of interest to open a new special topic taking a census of all showa-to papered by NBTHK or NTHK, wouldn't be?

Thanks Mark. I have been told a bit more informations recently by Chris B. "The NTHK split into 2 groups after the death of the head of the group. One faction continued under the family and adopted son of the former head, the other faction incorporated as a non-profit group recognized by the Japanese government and continues as the NTHK-NPO. This split occurred more than 20 years ago. The papers being discussed are by the Yoshikawa NTHK group, not the NPO. The NPO publishes a statement in every issue of their journal that states clearly that they will not paper mass produced, arsenal made, showa-to."

NTHK and NTHK NPO is the same or a different organization? Do they issue the same certificates? I am not sure to understand the difference between both.

Hey Bruce, He is Masamichi not Kanemichi. Student of Tokyo Kato smith shodai Masakuni.

Around 500 items will be presented to the NTHK NPO judges during the shinsa! I wish I could be there as I am submitting a sword.

Maybe it is just the photo but nakago looks twisted?

From Chris Bowen : "Friendly reminder! The Chicago Sword Show and NTHK-NPO Shinsa are only 4 weeks away! We have very limited spots still available. If you have any intention of submitting a blade, tsuba, etc. for shinsa, either using our mail in service or in person, I can't encourage you strongly enough to contact me for reservations. Thanks to all who have already made a reservation. I am overwhelmed by the positive response! I will be sending out reservation tickets and submission instructions the end of the month. See more at: http://ejapaneseswords.com/Shinsa_Info.html"

Yes Thomas, both are different swords but by the same smith Masamichi. I guess now Chris B owns the one on the Mark's old post.

Indeed you have it already.

This sword is wonderful, super nice koshirae, signed box. It is not cheap but what one could not like?

On Takayama-to by Masahiro, there is "always" the polisher's name on the nakago. Seems like a "put together" koshirae by the SHOWA22 specialist...

Hello Trystan, Thanks for the photo. It is always interesting to put names on faces when it is possible. Maybe you are correct regarding the caps, to me Mitsunobu sure has a different cap from the other guys.

Indeed, they could be helpers or maybe ones of the numerous Seki smiths?

Hello, I know it is an old thread but I was wondering if the 2 guys in darker suits (sat on front row far left and middle) are known? Thanks

"most are the older certificated that have been superseded..."

That is what I understand concerning NTHK NPO at least.

In April there is a NTHK NPO shinsa in Chicago, you can still submit your Nagamitsu.

I tend to agree. Not important forging issue but not very pleasant to look at. A few togishi are able to hide them completely (by "pushing" the steel) when they are not too deep. I have a star stamped gendaito by a very rare smith that has kitae ware, it will be send to Japan some day to fix them.

Some time ago, I had a similar recent private convesation with Chris Bowen. I hope it can enlight a bit. You can read below what he wrote me : "two things to keep in mind: -I registered several star stamped blades in Japan in the period 1990-2004. There was no issue then importing them. In fact, there was no problem submitting them to the NBTHK either as I did in fact submit one just to show they would paper. It did. -The NBTHK and the Ministry of Education, which does the import licensing, are two distinctly different entities. Moreover, the registration shinsa are done by people in each prefecture under a contract basis. These people have the authority to decide whether or not a blade is registered, not the NBTHK. In truth, the NBTHK really has neither a clear idea what is in fact being registered nor the authority to make those decisions. I have sent over many star stamped blades from 2004 to the present without any registration issues whatsoever. I have however seen registration issues with Seki and Sho stamped blades at the registration shinsa and have been told by several registration judges that they will not register such blades because they do not meet the requirements under the law, which is, to paraphrase, "they must have artistic value". Mass produced blades are considered weapons, not art swords. Having said that, I have been told by at least one judge, who I knew personally, that from time to time they would in fact register a Seki or Sho stamped blade if brought in by a widow or family member with claims that it belongs to a husband, grandfather, etc. He mentioned that they also ran into the situation where dealers would hire or send a showa-to to the registration with someone claiming it had belonged to a family member in order to get it through. He also mentioned that on several occasions dealers would remove a stamp in order to get it through. Unfortunately, this often works when there is a close relationship between the dealer and judge. What I find most disturbing is the fact that of late we are seeing more and more mass produced showa-to passing NBTHK shinsa. There is no excuse for this and as I have said elsewhere, it lowers the value of all papers when they are given out to such swords. When more and more showa-to started to be presented to their shinsa, the NTHK-NPO added the following to their shinsa guidelines: "From Heisei 31 forward, showa-to, mantetsu-to, factory made blades and others which do not show in comparison to nihon-to a preservation value　and further, are different in craft and construction from nihon-to, will not be awarded kantei papers." I have seen a few NTHK-NPO papered showa-to but to my knowledge, once they formally set policy per the above, they no longer will paper such blades."

AFAIR I already saw one maybe 2 Koa Isshin to papered by NBTHK Hozon. Also if a sword is tradtionnaly forged and water tempered then it is considered as a NIHONTO, despite it is not tamahagane (Mikasa to, gensui to, nanban tetsu to...)

Hi Stephen, Nope still in France but Chris thought I could post this for NMB members. Dan, just follow the link to contact Chris Bowen and reserve. I did it, very easy and fast. http://ejapaneseswords.com/Shinsa_Info.html

Hello, Here is an update for the NTHK NPO shinsha in April 2023: It is my pleasure to announce that in conjunction with the Chicago Sword Show, set for April 28, 29, and 30, I will be sponsoring a NTHK-NPO Shinsa! We will be offering a mail in service once again for those unable to attend. Spread the word! This will be an event not to be missed by sword enthusiasts! Hope to see everyone there! Details can be found at the link below: http://ejapaneseswords.com/Shinsa_Info.html

Removing the handle is a good idea to help identifying the sword.