MassiveMoonHeh Posted May 18 Report Posted May 18 This is the kind of thing that makes me wish I lived in Japan... A famous sword appreciation event co-sponsored by the Toyama Sword Research Association and the branch e-Sword Research Association will be held on the 30th May. At the sword fittings exhibition, you will be able to see the sword fittings that came with the mountings of Satsuki Amee and Atsuto Shiro. This time, the sword lineup is also luxurious, including Bizen Saburo Kunimune, Shindo Go, Masamune, Norishige, Go, Hidari, Kunitsugu Rai, Naotane Daikei, Dewa Daijo Kunimichi, and Kashu Kiyomitsu, and it's already packed to capacity. Getting to hold and examine this calibre of sword is the stuff of legend. No wonder it is already fully subscribed. Sounds like the kind of meetup that Honma writes about in his memoirs. The next one is in July - for those interested and able to get to Toyama. 5 Quote
MassiveMoonHeh Posted May 18 Author Report Posted May 18 The Toyama Sword Research Society brings together young people and women from all over the country. In recent years, the Toyama Sword Research Association, a sword enthusiast group based in Toyama Prefecture, has seen an increase in its membership among young people and women. Due to the influence of online games such as "Touken Ranbu ONLINE," the number of young people becoming interested in swords is increasing, and the company has made great efforts to make the game more approachable for beginners and to spread the word on social media. This initiative, which is rare nationwide in the world of swords, where middle-aged and elderly men have been the main fan base, has paid off, and the sword is becoming a popular choice for "sword beginners" from a wide range of regions, not just within the prefecture. The Toyama Sword Research Society was formed in 2017 by Yasunori Sawada (57) (Nanto City, civil servant), an enthusiast and former director of the Sword Museum (Tokyo). He holds sword appreciation events about five times a year and visits art museums both within and outside the prefecture. The study group, which began with around 20 members, has now grown to 220, 70% of whom are women. By age group, the most common age group is those in their 30s, followed by those in their 20s and 40s. 40% of people live in the three Hokuriku prefectures, with many in the Kanto, Kansai, and Chukyo regions. Some members are from Hokkaido and Kagoshima prefectures. In order to encourage young people and women to join, the study group has put in place a number of measures to make it easy for beginners to participate. This new sword study group has proven itself to be very successful and is quickly showing the way forward for Japanese Sword Societies in local communities. 6 1 Quote
Hector Posted May 18 Report Posted May 18 Glad to find out about this! As I live in Japan, I might try to subscribe to a future event. Best, Hector 1 1 Quote
nulldevice Posted May 18 Report Posted May 18 Wow! Talk about an amazing event to attend. I have been happy to see in many of my searches for famous swords, links and references to Touken Ranbu. There are a lot of sword "characters" representing many of the famous meito and other kokuho blades. 3 Quote
MassiveMoonHeh Posted May 31 Author Report Posted May 31 Yesterday the famous sword appreciation event in Tokyo co-sponsored by the Toyama Sword Research Group and the e-Sword Research Group took place. It took 5 months to make happen. The theme Soshu-den, showed off a luxurious selection including Bizen Saburo Kunimune, Shintogo, Masamune, Norishige, Go Yoshihiro, Sa, Rai Kunitsugu, Taikei Naotane, Dewa Daijo Kunimichi, and Kashu Kiyomitsu! And even had the sword fittings, including the famous Atsuto Shiro, the sword fittings and Kaga metalwork that came with the famous Satsuamee koshirae, and the Hirata school of cloisonné! More than half the participants were female! #Sword 7 2 Quote
MassiveMoonHeh Posted May 31 Author Report Posted May 31 FYI, the Toyama Study group has now grown to 238 members! This is an increase of 18 new members since my last post less than 2 weeks ago! 1 1 Quote
eternal_newbie Posted May 31 Report Posted May 31 Sounds like it went well. Good assembly of some heady Soshu-den names too. If they can consistently pull off events of this quality I wouldn't be surprised to see membership continue to grow at the current rate, if not more. 1 Quote
Jussi Ekholm Posted May 31 Report Posted May 31 Thank you for these updates Brett. It is a joy to see so healthy and growing collecting group. 2 Quote
Kanenaga Posted June 3 Report Posted June 3 Atsu Toshiro, I think. Named for the celebrated maker, Toshiro Yoshimitsu. 1 1 Quote
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