History of Nihonto Publishing and Media: From Specialist Books and Catalogs to Digital Transformation

The Dawn of Japanese Sword Literature — Pioneers of the Meiji and Taisho Eras

Systematic specialized publications on Japanese swords began to be published in earnest in the late Meiji period. Even after the sword-wearing culture was lost due to the Edict on the Abolition of the Wearing of Swords (1876), sword enthusiasts and researchers made great efforts to preserve academic records of Japanese swords. From the Meiji 40s onward, centered on researchers who inherited the lineage of the Honami family, an authority on sword authentication, records of swordsmiths from various schools and regions as well as commentaries on famous swords were published. These books, in conjunction with the development of letterpress printing technology, were pioneering in opening up authentication knowledge that had traditionally been kept secret to the general public.

As the Taisho period began, Japanese sword enthusiast clubs and research societies were organized throughout the country, and regular information dissemination began through newsletters and research reports. Small booklets issued by industry associations of sword dealers centered in Tokyo and Osaka contained information about sales and authentication opinions, serving a function that could be called the prototype of modern auction catalogs. Through such publishing activities, the market value of Japanese swords was made "visible," bringing about an effect of increasing the transparency of buying and selling.

The NBTHK and the Launch of "Touken Bijutsu" Magazine

In 1948 (Showa 23), under the occupation of the GHQ, the Japan Art Sword Preservation Association (NBTHK) was established as a foundation, and the publication of its official magazine "Touken Bijutsu" began. This official magazine continues to be published today and functions as a core medium for Japanese sword research. The explanatory articles by authentication committee members included in each issue, photographs of rubbings (oshigata) of famous swords, and reports on preservation society activities from various regions have become essential learning materials for members.

The characteristic of "Touken Bijutsu" magazine lies in its editorial policy of including both enlightenment articles for general readers and scholarly papers for experts on the same page. By having introductory articles for beginners to learn the basics of sword appreciation alongside reports on sword smith lineage research and metal microstructure analysis, it has acquired a wide readership. The current membership has reached several thousand nationally and internationally, with overseas Japanese sword researchers and museum curators among the regular subscribers. Issues featuring the association's shinsa results are particularly highly noted and eagerly read by enthusiasts seeking the following designation information.

• Preserved Sword
• Important Sword
• Important Cultural Property

The Golden Age of Specialized Publications — From the Late Showa Period to the Heisei Era

The Showa 40s to 60s (1960s to 80s) were the most prosperous era for the publication of specialized Japanese sword books. Major publishers competed to publish series such as "The Great Compendium of Japanese Swords" and "Secret Tales of Famous Swords," and with the improvement of color photography technology, detailed photographs of sword blades that rivaled the originals fascinated readers. In particular, illustrated catalogs produced by publishers such as Kadokawa Shoten, Yuzankaku, and Kougei Publications were supported by both researchers and general enthusiasts. The editing of these catalogs often included supervision by current swordsmiths and polishers designated as Living National Treasures or holders of important intangible cultural properties, and the reliability of the content was highly evaluated.

At the same time, the publication of local materials compiling regional sword smith history by education boards and museums in each prefecture also created a major trend in the spread of Japanese sword literature. For example, in the regions of each of the Five Great Sword-Making Traditions, local newspapers and regional publishers published their own sword smith chronologies and region-specific authentication guides.

• Bizen
• Soshu
• Yamato
• Mino
• Yamashiro

Many of these regional publications are now out of print, but they are cherished by enthusiasts as rare materials commanding high prices in the used book market.

The Digital Transformation Era — The Internet and Democratization of Information

From the second half of the Heisei period (2000s) onward, the form of disseminating Japanese sword information underwent dramatic transformation. First, websites became widespread, and sword dealers and enthusiasts began opening personal blogs and information websites, publicly sharing free of charge knowledge that had previously only been available in specialized publications. This "democratization of information" brought a dual impact: raising the interest of younger generations in Japanese swords while also suppressing the sales numbers of specialized publications.

Furthermore, from the 2010s onward, the proliferation of smartphones and social media dramatically changed the distribution of sword information. Photographs of swords posted on social media reach viewers worldwide in an instant, rapidly increasing the number of young sword fans. The distribution of specialized Japanese sword books as e-books is also progressing, and an environment is emerging where overseas Japanese sword enthusiasts can more easily access specialized publications in Japanese.

Modern Challenges and Prospects — The Shrinking Publishing Market and New Forms of Communication

The greatest challenge facing modern sword publications is the aging of the readership for specialized books and the shrinking of the market size. Illustrated catalogs that once sold in units of thousands of copies now often see first editions of a thousand copies or fewer. Publishers dealing with highly specialized content find it difficult to ensure profitability, and cases of authors relying on self-publishing are increasing.

In response, the publication of specialized books using crowdfunding has drawn attention as a new method. Cases of research books specializing in particular swordsmiths or regions being published with funds raised from enthusiasts have been occurring in succession, proving that niche but stable demand exists. In addition, video explanations through YouTube channels and audio content through podcasts are also achieving a certain effect in acquiring the next generation of sword fans. The role of "recording and transmitting sword knowledge" that specialized books have played will likely continue to be inherited in both digital and print forms.