The Craft of Togishi (Sword Polishers) and the Honami Family Lineage—The World of Shitaji-togi, Kesho-togi, and Connoisseurship

Togishi: The Craftsman Who Listens to the Blade's "Voice"

In the appreciation of Japanese swords, the most directly perceptible beauty—the reflection in the ground steel, the landscapes of the blade pattern, and the sharpness of the point—is not created by the swordsmith's forging alone. Only through the togishi's work of "polishing and revealing" the blade that the swordsmith has forged does the sword's true form finally emerge.

The relationship between the swordsmith and the togishi is sometimes compared to that of a musician and a sound engineer. If the swordsmith "composes" the music, the togishi is the craftsman who "reproduces" that music in its finest state. No matter how superior a sword, its beauty cannot be conveyed if the polishing is poor. Conversely, an excellent togishi can restore the original brilliance of an "aged masterpiece" and greatly influence the sword's value.

The Honami Family—Polishing and Connoisseurship Experts Since the Muromachi Period

The most important family in the history of Japanese sword polishing is the Honami family. Continuing since the Muromachi period, the Honami served successive generations of the Ashikaga shoguns, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and the Tokugawa shoguns, becoming the foremost house of "sword patronage" responsible for polishing, authentication, and the issuance of origami certificates documenting authenticity and quality.

Honami Koetsu (1558–1637) was a particularly renowned member of the family who possessed an exceptional aesthetic sensibility not only in sword polishing but also in calligraphy, pottery, and lacquerwork, and remains highly regarded today as a comprehensive artist representative of Kan'ei culture.

The "origami" documents issued by the Honami family functioned as certificates of authentication and warranty in modern terms, evaluating each sword's value in terms of gold coins. These origami documents became a crucial index determining market prices for Japanese swords, and the Honami family's authority remained absolute throughout the Edo period. After the Meiji period, this role transitioned to the Japan Art Sword Preservation Association's authentication review, yet the Honami family's traditional methods continue to be inherited by contemporary togishi and authenticators.

The Polishing Process—From Shitaji-togi to Kesho-togi

Sword polishing is not simply "buffing" but a precise technical system comprising multiple processes. It is broadly divided into "shitaji-togi (foundational polishing)" and "shiage-togi (finishing polishing) / kesho-togi (cosmetic polishing)."

Shitaji-togi begins with coarse whetstones and gradually progresses to finer stones, straightening the blade's shape and curve while removing oxidation layers, scratches, and rust from the forging process. The whetstones used progress in stages from "arato (coarse) → chuto (medium) → saito (fine)," with each stage erasing the scratches from the previous stone. During shitaji-togi, the blade's structural framework—the spine ridge, blade edge region, and point shape—is refined, determining the sword's overall beauty.

In recent years, as natural whetstone deposits have become severely depleted, the use of synthetic whetstones has been spreading among practitioners. The supply of natural uchigumori whetstones from Kameoka, Kyoto, has declined year after year, and increasingly difficult-to-source grades are becoming more common. Some togishi have incorporated high-precision synthetic whetstones into intermediate stages of shitaji-togi as a result. However, in the final stage of kesho-togi, the subtle grain structure irregularities of natural whetstones are said to bring out the ground steel's finest patterns, and synthetic whetstones have not yet achieved complete replacement.

In shiage-togi and kesho-togi, polishing implements made by adhering uchigumori whetstones to paper—such as hadsuya (blade polish) and jizuya (ground steel polish)—are used to bring out the reflection in the ground steel, the texture of the steel surface, and the blade pattern's distinctive landscape. Uchigumori whetstones are used in the final stage of shitaji-togi, while at the finishing stage they are employed in their processed form as hadsuya and jizuya. At this stage, extremely fine work called "hatori (blade delineation)"—the technique of running the whetstone with fingertips to emphasize the blade pattern's outline—is performed, and this is where individual togishi differences are most apparent.

In kesho-togi, through repeated wiping and polishing called "nugui," fine details such as the "chikei (ground steel landscape)," the "kinsuji (gold streaks)," and "sunanagashi (sand flow patterns)" within the blade gradually emerge. According to tradition, master togishi can discern all the fine details necessary for authentication at this kesho-togi stage.

Polishing and Connoisseurship—The Togishi as "The One Who Knows the Blade Most Deeply"

In the world of Japanese sword authentication, it is said that "the togishi knows the blade most deeply." While the swordsmith forges the blade, the togishi most deeply understands the changes that occur afterward—aging, wear from repeated polishing, and the state of the forge welds. Through the process of repeatedly re-polishing the blade, the state of the forge welds, the quality of the steel, and the depth of the hardening are conveyed to the togishi's hands through how the whetstone engages with the metal.

For this reason, many authentication reviewers at the Japan Art Sword Preservation Association come from togishi backgrounds, and "the experience of polishing is considered the best method for cultivating connoisseurship." Conversely, togishi without authentication knowledge risk making mistakes such as "over-polishing" or "altering the shape," so a togishi's technical skill and knowledge are inseparable.

Contemporary Togishi—The Succession Problem and International Expansion

The greatest challenge facing contemporary togishi is the succession problem. Becoming a fully-fledged togishi requires a minimum of 7–10 years of apprenticeship, during which income is extremely low. As demand for swords itself has shrunk, the number of togishi able to accept apprentices is limited.

On the other hand, polishing requests from overseas Japanese sword collectors are increasing, and wealthy collectors from the West and Asia have begun traveling to Japan seeking high-quality togishi. Some togishi have established English-language social media accounts and video channels, pioneering new international demand by sharing polishing techniques with overseas audiences.

Additionally, documentary videos introducing togishi work have been viewed millions of times on YouTube, and general interest in the profession of "sword polishing" is rising. Converting this interest into the cultivation of professional successors through institutional support has become an urgent industry-wide need.

The number of active togishi nationwide is estimated at around 50, and waiting 1–3 years for a master togishi is now standard. In response to the tight supply-demand situation, the industry has developed a certification system with roughly three levels of evaluation: "Certified Togishi Exam Pass" → "Excellent Togishi Certification" → "Specially Designated Important Togishi." As togishi advance through these levels, they become eligible to accept increasingly prestigious blades, including those designated as Important Cultural Properties.

Polishing Costs: A General Guide

Polishing costs vary greatly depending on the blade's condition, length, and the rank of the togishi commissioned.

The majority of the cost represents the togishi's labor, and since process complexity, whetstone expenses, and finishing precision accumulate, it is essential to understand that inexpensive "re-polishing" and authentic artistic polishing are fundamentally different undertakings.

Conclusion—No Masterpiece Without the Togishi

If the swordsmith's forging technique "creates the blade's soul," then the togishi's polishing technique is the work of "bringing that soul into the world." From the historical authority rooted in the Honami family lineage to meeting contemporary international demand, the world of the togishi craftsman continues to support the essence of Japanese sword culture even as it constantly evolves. When a single blade appears beautiful to the viewer's eye, within it dwells the silent labor of the togishi spanning hundreds of hours.