Year: 2017

Last week from Friday to Sunday, we held the Third Chiba Token Ichi in Chiba City. Although it was a rainy day, there were many enthusiasts who visited us. I was grateful for the good turnout and business conducted. This was due to the great advertisement and the convenient location with its own parking lot. 

 

I wanted to thank the advertisement agency and the staff of the event place. I have found a huge potential in this area so I am hoping to increase the Japanese sword enthusiasts here. 

 

The Fourth Chiba Token Ichi is scheduled for this October on the sixth through the eighth. 

Today The All Japan Sword Trader’s Association held a meeting to discuss creating a standard for Sword Appraisers. The Association will create a license for individuals who wish to be considered Sword Appraisers in Japan. It is not an easy thing to accurately determine the value of a sword, so in order to keep the standard high and to meet the high demand for sword appraisals this system will be established.

In the photo, the Association is discussing what type of questions would the test be comprised of for obtaining the Sword Appraiser’s license. As one of the members of the Board of Directors for The All Japan Sword Trader’s Association I am eager to put this license system in place soon.

In order to effectively determine the best way to move forward The Sword Trader’s Association hopes to request cooperation from the various Associations such as The NBTHK, The Nihonto Hozonkai, The Zen Nihon Tosho Kai, The Association For The Research and Preservation of Japanese Helmet and Armor as well as potentially others.

This month’s Japanese Sword Class, we invited Mr. Shigenori Ozawa living in Kanagawa Prefecture and we heard his lecture on how to make Japanese swords. 

 

This was the third time for Mr. Ozawa to participate in the class so he was used to the atmosphere. Based on his experience, he explained about the Hamon relating to the cutting edge and the temperature and also the relationship with the forging and the grain features in the blade.

 

There were many questions being asked by all the students. We had a great time.

 

He won the Nyusen prize at the Omamorigatana Exhibit Competition last year on the tanto ordered by me. On this occasion, he delivered it to me and explained about the tanto.

 

I wish for his continued success as a swordsmith. 

The Japanese Sword Traders Association hosts an auction once a month for its members.
I was appointed the Auctioneer by senior members to learn more about the process.

Later I was informed that I did a good job but I should consider making certain that the last price should be reasonable.

 

I am constantly challenging to contribute and learn more about the overall business of the Japanese Sword Traders Association.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 8th Noda Token Ichi was held in Noda City, the location of our office.

 

The weather and temperature felt like an early Spring. The number of visitors and amount of sales were the highest since we started the Noda Token Ichi. The economy in Japan seems to be improving.

 

One of the customers that day I had not seen in over thirty years. He was the manager at the paint shop I worked at part-time while in university. We talked a lot about the old days and about swords. It was a very nice meeting.
Even in my hometown where my friends and acquaintance were unaware that I am a sword trader now. So I hope to bring more awareness to everyone about our store.

 

The next Noda Token Ichi will be from July 7th-9th at the same location, Noda Business Hotel.

Happy New Year from Touken Matsumoto

The photo is showing the first sunrise of 2017 over the horizon in Yamanashi prefecture with Mt. Fuji in the background. 

I wished that this year will be healthy and prosperous for everyone. Touken Matsumoto and its staff feels refreshed and shall provide another outstanding year of service to our customers. 

We look forward to doing business with customers from all around the world in 2017.