Japan Sword Company

[Ian B3HR2UH]

I wanted to give a thank you to the Japan Sword Company in Tokyo.

 

Some years ago I visited Aoi Art ( without an appointment ). I was warmly welcomed and then left standing like a shag on a rock even though I was the only person in the shop . After a while I decided that I was wasting my time and left.

 

What a contrast was my recent visit ( again without an appointment ) to the Japan Sword Company . I was again warmly welcomed . A young man who spoke good English talked to me about the swords on display and answered my questions. He then invited me to see the items in their second floor gallery. What a great place that was .The star of the show was probably a Rai Kunitoshi with gold Hon'ami attribution that had been a pre war Juyo Bijutsuhin . This came with a Juyo ito maki no tachi mounting . There were many other fine swords on display including a Juyo nagamitsu and a number of Juyo tachi mountings. As a non buyer I didn't ask to handle anything but you could get right next to any of the swords and see the details pretty clearly. My host was very happy to talk swords and didn't seem to be wanting to push me out the door.

 

I bought a few small items and went on my way. It was a visit that was far more satisfying than my subsequent visit to the National Museum where everything is under glass and impossible to see any details . I would recommend anyone visiting Tokyo have a visit to the Tokyo Sword Company on their to do list.

 

Ian Brooks