Sword Registration Certificate — The 'Passport' of Japanese Swords

What Is the Firearms and Swords Registration Certificate?

To legally own a Japanese sword, the "Firearms and Swords Registration Certificate" is essential. This is an official document issued by each prefecture's board of education based on the Firearms and Swords Control Law (Gun and Sword Law), and among sword enthusiasts it is called the "sword's passport."

What is important is that this certificate is tied to the blade itself. Even if the owner changes, the registration certificate moves with the sword, and the new owner assumes its details. The registration certificate contains detailed physical characteristics of the sword such as its type (tachi, katana, wakizashi, tantō, etc.), blade length, curvature, signature, and number of pinholes, and functions as the sword's "family register."

Possessing a Japanese sword without the registration certificate is a violation of the Gun and Sword Law and subject to criminal penalty. In any case—whether purchase, inheritance, or gift—the existence of this registration certificate is a prerequisite for any instance of handling a Japanese sword.

The Background of the Registration System

The current registration system was established after World War II. During the disarmament process by the GHQ, many bladed weapons, including Japanese swords, were subject to confiscation and destruction. However, as recognition grew that Japanese swords are not merely weapons but works of art and craft embodying the craftsmanship of swordsmiths and Japan's spiritual culture, the 1958 amendment to the Gun and Sword Law established a registration system to legally own and appreciate Japanese swords as art.

Through this system, historically famous swords such as Masamune, Muramasa, and the Osafune lineage have been preserved without dispersal and continue to be carefully passed down in museums and private collections. The registration certificate is not merely a permit; it is the institutional foundation for protecting sword culture.

Procedure for Obtaining a Registration Certificate

Newly discovered unregistered swords (such as those found during house demolition or warehouse cleanup) must first be promptly reported to the nearest police station. Failure to do so may constitute a violation of the Gun and Sword Law.

After reporting to the police, the sword must be brought to the "Registration Review Panel" held periodically by the board of education. At the review panel, sword appraisers designated by the prefecture's board of education (typically authorized appraisers from the Japanese Sword and Art Preservation Association) directly examine the sword and assess its value as an artwork. The assessment criteria are diverse, including hamon, jihada, sugata, and overall quality, and swords that are severely rusted and retain no original form, or obvious reproductions, cannot be registered.

Upon passing the assessment, the board of education issues the Firearms and Swords Registration Certificate. The registration certificate is assigned a unique registration number and is thereafter managed in a nationwide database under that number.

Procedures for Sale and Transfer

When a Japanese sword is transferred through sale, gift, inheritance, or other means, the new owner has an obligation to file a change-of-ownership notification with the prefecture's board of education within 20 days of acquisition (Gun and Sword Law Article 14).

The documents required for notification are roughly as follows.

• Firearms and Swords Registration Certificate (original)
• Change-of-Ownership Notification Form (format prescribed by each prefecture)
• Documents confirming the address and name of the transferor and transferee

Many prefectures accept this procedure by mail, and depending on your place of residence, it can be completed without visiting in person. Additionally, when moving to a different prefecture, notification to the new prefecture's board of education is similarly required.

Failure to file can result in legal violations, so prompt completion of procedures upon acquiring a sword is essential. When purchasing from a trustworthy sword dealer, the quality of explanation they provide regarding these procedures is one measure of the store's reliability.

If the Registration Certificate Is Lost or Damaged

If the registration certificate is lost or seriously damaged, you can apply for reissuance from the prefecture's board of education that issued it. In many cases, the application requires that the sword be brought in person for verification, and reissuance may take several weeks to months.

Additionally, if the details on the registration certificate do not match the actual sword (such as due to recording errors or later discovery of a signature), you can apply for correction or amendment of the details. However, depending on the nature of the correction, re-examination may be required.

It is recommended that the registration certificate be stored together with the sword in a clear file or special case to prevent deterioration. It is also wise to keep a copy in a separate location as protection against fire or flooding.

Exporting Abroad and Importation

When taking a Japanese sword abroad, in addition to the registration certificate, you may need the Cultural Affairs Agency's "Important Cultural Property Export Permit" or "Art and Craft Export Certificate". In particular, swords designated as important artworks or important cultural properties are generally prohibited from being taken out of the country.

Conversely, when importing a Japanese sword from abroad, you must apply for registration with the prefecture's board of education alongside customs declaration. In recent years, cases of Japanese swords that have flowed overseas returning to Japan have increased, and the Japanese Sword and Art Preservation Association (NBTHK) serves as the point of contact to support the registration process in such cases.

All swords sold come with valid Firearms and Swords Registration Certificates. If you are considering acquiring a Japanese sword, please feel free to inquire.