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Practical guides for owners: buying, care, storage, display, and registration of swords.
Whether dealing with inherited swords or thinning a collection, selling nihonto requires knowing how appraisal works, who to trust, and what drives value. This guide walks through the practical steps.
Practical guide for heirs who inherit Japanese swords: how to transfer registration, notify authorities, continue possession legally, or arrange a legitimate sale.
Explaining the crucial nihonto appraisal concept of 'ubu' — unaltered original state — covering the three elements of ubu-nakago, ubu-hachō, ubu-sugata and market premiums.
How Japanese sword dealers actually source their inventory, from auctions and estate clearances to overseas buyers and direct deals with swordsmiths.
This article provides a comprehensive practical guide for individual collectors sending Japanese swords abroad to buyers or themselves, covering how to complete METI export permit applications, packaging specifications, criteria for selecting international carriers, and how to use customs brokerage services.
Thorough analysis of Japanese swords as assets. Explains auction price trends, the impact of yen depreciation, price differences with the domestic market, and real returns accounting for storage costs.
This article explains the practical requirements for legally possessing Japanese swords under the Firearms and Swords Control Law, the specific criteria for antique (art object) certification, and the types of registration certificates issued by prefectural boards of education, including legal obligations upon transfer or lapse.
Comprehensive guide to all procedures required for exporting Japanese swords internationally. Details education board deregistration, METI export license applications, customs HS code verification, and practical compliance when handle materials and ray skin become subject to Washington Convention (CITES) regulations.
Based on winning bids from Bonhams (UK), Christie's (US/Paris), and Osaka Art Club, this article explains specific price ranges, evaluation criteria, and differences between domestic and international Japanese sword markets. Through real data analysis, we examine how appraisal certificate rank, sword maker reputation, condition, and provenance affect final bid prices.
Introducing major Japanese sword exhibition facilities nationwide by region, including the Tokyo National Museum, the Sword Museum, the Tokugawa Art Museum, and the Bizen Osafune Sword Museum. Comprehensive explanation of each facility's characteristics, exhibition contents, and viewing tips.
A comprehensive practical guide for Japanese sword collectors on proper storage and maintenance, covering uchiko powder, clove oil, optimal storage conditions, sword bags, and display stands.
A comprehensive guide for collectors interested in Showa-era military swords: from acquisition and storage to authentication and legal registration. Covers 2026 firearms and sword regulations, how to use NBTHK appraisal services, and current market pricing from an expert perspective.
The shirasaya — an unfinished wooden storage scabbard — is among the most important tools for long-term nihonto preservation. This guide covers materials, structure, manufacture, differences from koshirae, and how to select and care for a proper shirasaya.
A complete legal guide for nihonto owners: the Firearms and Swords Control Law (Jutoho), torokusho registration certificates issued by the Board of Education, lawful ownership conditions, transfer and carrying rules, criminal penalties (imprisonment / fines), and police reporting procedures.
A practical guide comparing domestic and international auction platforms for Japanese swords, covering bidding strategy, authentication risk management, post-purchase procedures, and how to read market pricing trends.
A comprehensive guide covering legal procedures, budget-based selection, reading appraisal certificates, and safe storage—everything a first-time Japanese sword collector needs to know.
Japan's four seasons can both protect and damage swords. Learn seasonal storage strategies for rainy season humidity, winter condensation, and summer temperature swings.
Common day-to-day issues — saya rattle, loose mekugi, stuck koiguchi, loose tsuka — explained with practical guidance on what you can handle yourself and when to consult a togishi or sayashi.
A comprehensive guide to legally purchasing Japanese swords within Japan, covering registration certificates, finding reputable dealers, and navigating sword fairs, antique markets, and auction houses.
Explanation of display methods and photography techniques to bring out the beauty of Japanese swords to the maximum. This covers everything from lighting angles and types of display stands to camera settings for photographing blade patterns beautifully.
Choosing a theme, maintaining records, and networking—a guide to building a Japanese sword collection with long-term vision.
Rainy season humidity, winter dryness — sword care wisdom adapted to Japan's four seasons.
Personal property insurance, fine art insurance — choosing the right coverage for your sword collection.
Lighting, angles, camera settings — practical techniques for photographing Japanese swords beautifully.
Sword stands, cases, lighting — a practical guide to displaying swords beautifully and safely at home.
Bonhams, Christie's, domestic auctions. Merits, demerits, and precautions for purchasing Japanese swords at auction.
Anniversaries, honors, retirement. Etiquette and selection of Japanese swords as gifts for special occasions.
Tokyo National Museum, Kyoto National Museum, Japanese Sword Museum. Introducing sword exhibition facilities from across Japan.
