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Shown here are fukure with shintetsū.
Shown here are fukure and kitae-ware.
Above is an example of an iaito. Iaito feature beautiful fittings and nickel alloy blades that are used to practice solo forms only and cannot be used for cutting. See Chapter 8 for more information about the practice of swordsmanship today.
Availability of Antique and Modern Swords
Japan had turbulent trade relations with China and Korea throughout its history. During the 1500s Japan began limited trade with the Portuguese and Dutch missionary/trade ships. While some swords may have been traded during those times, it is during the mid-to-late 1800s that Japan saw a worldwide trade boom. In the late 1800s the samurai class faded as a result of shifting political powers and growing imperial interest in Western trade, politics, technology, and even fashion. The popular trends of the time shifted in favor of European merchandise. European clothing, luxury goods, and weapons were the must-have items in vogue among some of Japan’s elite. Japanese warriors were soon dressed in European fashion too. The quality of swords and knives produced for the massive imperial military fell sharply. Gone were the days of the old warriors and their ways.
With the samurai class falling, the demand for swords diminished. The tools and fashions of the samurai declined in value and lost favor in the rapidly changing pre-modern Japan. As a result of the new trade with outside countries, Japanese swords presented an opportunity in trade as a commodity. The first Japanese swords were traded, primarily to Europeans, in the 1860s. Trade continued and swords flowed out of Japan and into Europe. Some swords came into the United States, traveling with the families that immigrated here. As exotic stories of samurai warriors spread throughout the globe, so too did interest in the enigmatic warriors and their unequaled weapons. Meanwhile, in Japan, the old arts were devalued as the nation raced to compete with modern European industry.
By the time the United States entered World War II, stories of the Japanese reputation for ferocity had evolved. Gone were the samurai, true, but their legend lived on in the warriors of the imperial forces who had entered the top echelons of military superpowers almost overnight. Some swords were taken in battle while others were presented to conquering allied leaders post-battle. The great majority of swords were taken after the war in 1945. Allied servicemen were ordered to confiscate and stockpile all Japanese weapons, including swords. Countless swords were taken as troops moved from door to door, asking that the occupants relinquish any weapons that they might possess. Most were factory-made military blades. Many were priceless masterworks and family heirlooms.
Meanwhile the swords were stockpiled in warehouses such as Tōkyō’s Akabane Arsenal—a tragedy. Any occupying allied serviceman could have a sword simply by asking for it. And in this way, thousands of swords came into the hands of non-Japanese. The blades returned home with the men as mementos. Some scholars assert that the servicemen’s interest in Japanese swords may have actually saved many important blades. No matter how one looks at these events, it is a dark chapter in Japanese sword history.
Many important swords and family heirlooms were displaced overseas or lost entirely. The artisans who made swords were forced to stop practicing their craft. With the Japanese economy depressed after the war, and the prohibition of arms manufacture, the techniques and skills needed to produce a sword were nearly lost. In 1950 two important events happened that would set the stage for the revitalization of sword crafts. The Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords, known by its Japanese language abbreviation NBTHK, was created. In 1950 it began performing shinsa, sword evaluation and appraisals. Swords evaluated by the NBTHK could receive ōrigami, or paperwork stating the judges’ opinion regarding the quality and value of the sword. Categories and classification systems were implemented to assist in identifying and ensuring the value of a particular sword.
Also in 1950, the Japanese government issued a proclamation requiring that all guns and swords be registered. Many people who had swords that were not taken, or who had come into possession of a sword during the course of the post-war mayhem registered the blades as theirs. Once owning a sword was made legal, many wanted to know what their blade or collection was worth. They turned to the NBTHK’s team of shinsa judges for appraisal. The combination of governmental registration requirements and expert analysis/appraisal breathed life into the post-war appreciation of Japanese swords.
While appreciation of swords was beginning to revitalize, the practice of sword making was still illegal. The sword had no value other than as a matter of cultural preservation. Fortunately, the Japanese government and allied forces agreed that the craft of sword making was endangered (as well as many other traditional arts). In 1953 the Japanese government issued “regulations for sword manufacturing approval.” Finally, swordsmiths could apply to legally practice their craft again. The NBTHK leadership supported the resumption of sword-making in many ways. With NBTHK support, a new tatara (smelter) was built, swordsmiths applied for their licenses, and the craft of sword making was reborn. In 1955 the first public sword makers’ competition took place. The competition has been held every year since.
The Japanese swordsmiths of today practice their craft both as a business and as a matter of cultural preservation. Yet the purchase and collection of Japanese swords has undergone some interesting changes in the 21st century. Technology has had a profound impact on the trade and sale of Japanese swords. But this is both a blessing and a burden. While technology such as the Internet has made communication about and sales of swords more easily done, it has also presented some major challenges. There is good news and bad news on this topic. The bad news first:
Profiteers who seek to advance themselves by swindling ignorant, dreamy-eyed buyers are exploiting the sword both materially and philosophically. The days of digging an antique sword out of your dad’s basement are over, yet many believe that they will be the one to find the undiscovered gem—on eBay. Many experts report receiving numerous requests for assessments of “antique samurai swords” that they’ve purchased “at a bargain.” The great majority of them are fakes bought online (and lousy ones at that!). Ignorant buyers cite the complex “grain,” which has been acid-etched into a piece of junk steel, and the “antique fittings,” which are actually poor reproductions made to look old and dirty. Now more than ever, buyers must arm themselves with information, verify and double check their information, and proceed with caution. There are some important steps that a buyer can take to ensure the quality and reliability of their purchase.
Collecting Japanese Swords
Now the good news: Technology has also made communication with real authorities much easier. Many Western and Japanese authorities are now able to communicate in English (and other languages). For those interested in collecting, connecting with sword experts, or just learning more about the trade of swords, there are several clubs that one might join. These clubs often publish newsletters with informative articles, and provide counsel for those interested in beginning a sword collection.
The NBTHK is a great place to start. The American branch of the NBTHK can be contacted via their website at: http://www.nbthk-ab.org/. The Northern California Japanese Sword Club (http://www.ncjsc.org/) hosts the largest annual sword exhibition and is also an excellent group. The Japanese Sword Society of the United States (http://www.jssus.org/) is also a reputable source of accurate and honest information.
A note of caution: I know of only a handful of legitimate
