The Ethics of Polishing — Deciding When to Repolish a Sword

Japanese sword polishing is not merely work to make the appearance beautiful. Togishi (sword polishing craftsmen) use traditional whetstones and advanced techniques to perform "restoration and revival of swords," bringing out the skin of the blade, the hamon, and the form of the kissaki. However, polishing is also an act of removing steel from the blade, and once removed, steel cannot be restored. In other words, polishing has contradictory aspects: it simultaneously "restores beauty" while "shortening the blade's lifespan."

Because of this, the ethical question of "should this sword be polished?" is frequently a subject of discussion among owners, togishi, and appraisers. This article explains in detail how polishing is viewed in the modern sword world and the criteria for judging whether re-polishing is appropriate.

What is Polishing? — The Boundary Between Cosmetic Treatment and Revival

Japanese sword polishing broadly consists of two stages.

The entire process requires one to three months even for experienced togishi, and costs range from tens of thousands of yen depending on the blade's condition and class, to hundreds of millions of yen or more for Important Cultural Property-class swords. Polishing is not mere cosmetic work but a revival process to restore the blade's original form. However, with each polishing, the blade becomes slightly thinner, and the thickness and width of the edge are gradually lost. If a masterpiece sword is carelessly subjected to repeated polishing, it will eventually lose its original character.

Criteria for Judging "Should It Be Polished?"

When deciding whether to send your sword for polishing, the following points are important.

Rust Progression and Urgency

Light rust or clouding can be adequately handled by the owner through daily maintenance (uchiko powder and choji oil). When rust progresses beyond this—particularly when deep pitting rust (tensabi) or extensive rust covering the hamon is visible—polishing is worth considering. However, in cases where rust has penetrated deep into the blade's structure, called "root rust" (nesabi), the traces may remain in the steel even after polishing, and it is better to seek expert opinion before proceeding.

Timing of Previous Polishing and Number of Polishings

Blades that have not been polished for a considerable time face lower necessity for re-polishing. With each polishing, the blade is removed by approximately 0.1 to 1 millimeter, so frequent polishing significantly exhausts the blade's vitality. With proper daily maintenance, polishing once every several decades is considered sufficient, and if the current polish is in good condition, casual re-polishing for appearance alone should be avoided. Keeping the number of polishings as low as possible is an important judgment in passing the sword to future generations.

Cultural Heritage Value and Social Responsibility

For swords designated as Important Cultural Properties or Important Art Objects, and even for undesignated swords with high cultural heritage value, the decision to polish requires special caution. These are cultural legacies for future generations and are the property of humanity before they are the owner's personal possession. The decision to polish should not be made by the owner alone, but as a principle, advice should be sought from multiple specialists including the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords, the Agency for Cultural Affairs, and renowned togishi.

Purpose After Polishing

The judgment changes depending on the purpose of polishing, such as "to make it beautiful for viewing," "to prepare it for sale," or "to inherit it as a family heirloom." If it is before sale, there may be reason to prioritize appearance in polishing, but when the purpose is long-term succession, it may be wiser to refrain from polishing to preserve the blade's vitality. It is important to clarify the purpose and share the approach with the togishi beforehand.

Selecting and Compatibility with Polishing Craftsmen

When requesting polishing, the selection of togishi is critically important. It is ideal to choose technicians affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of Japanese Sword Polishing Techniques or holders of Important Intangible Cultural Property status (Living National Treasures), craftspeople whose work is backed by proven track records and tradition. Additionally, each togishi has different stylistic approaches and specialized fields. Some craftsmen excel at delicately bringing out the hamon pattern of ancient swords (pre-Muromachi period) with gentle nie-deki, while others specialize in vividly displaying the brilliant nioi-deki hamon of Edo period shin-to and shinshin-to blades.

Selecting a togishi suited to the era, school, and style of the sword you are entrusting leads to a satisfying result. When commissioning for the first time, it is wise to initially only seek consultation, listen to the togishi's perspective and explanation of their polishing approach, and then make your decision.

Modern Togishi's Dilemmas

Modern Japanese sword polishing craftsmen bear heavy responsibility as inheritors of traditional techniques. In recent years, the following issues have been debated within the industry.

• Imbalance between demand and supply: With the surge in requests from overseas collectors, Japan's excellent togishi are constantly busy. Waiting periods of one to two years are not uncommon, making it difficult to maintain quality while meeting deadlines.
• The dilemma between short-term beauty and long-term preservation: Clients tend to desire "more beauty, more vividness," but experienced togishi prioritize "not over-polishing" to preserve the blade for the future. This difference in values sometimes causes friction between clients and togishi.
• Succession of technique and shortage of successors: Becoming an independent togishi requires a minimum of ten to fifteen years of training, and combined with economic difficulties until compensation stabilizes, it is increasingly difficult for young successors to enter the field. There is a sense of crisis in the industry that if successors do not emerge, the traditional techniques themselves may be lost.

Things to Confirm Before Sending for Polishing

Finally, here are matters to confirm before the owner makes a decision.

1. Calmly determine whether polishing is truly necessary. If daily maintenance can address the issue, polishing is unnecessary.
2. Clarify the purpose of polishing (viewing, succession, sale) and share the corresponding approach with the togishi.
3. Carefully select a reliable togishi suited to the blade's era and style, and never skip pre-consultation.
4. For swords with high cultural heritage value, prioritize consultation with specialist institutions.

Polishing is both a technique to revive the sword and an act of removing steel from the blade. The owner's single decision determines that sword's form for the next several hundred years. Understanding this weight and deciding with reverence is the responsibility of those who pass Japanese swords to the future.