The results of the 2026 Modern Sword Craftsmen Exhibition have been announced, covering the categories of polishing, blade engraving, metal carving, shirasaya, sword mountings, tsuka wrapping, and habaki making. For sword craftsmen, the results of this exhibition represent an evaluation of the skills they have devoted themselves to refining over the past year. I personally know many craftsmen—both those I regularly work with and those with whom I have close relationships—who dedicate themselves every day with the goal of winning a special prize. Because of this, I believe each craftsman received the results with mixed emotions, experiencing both joy and disappointment. Among them, I am especially pleased to share that polisher Kawakami Yōichirō, who worked together with us at Token Matsumoto for five years, received the highest award in the Shinogi-zukuri polishing division: the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award. Although he has been extremely busy since becoming independent, he still makes time once a month to help us. He carefully removes minor hike-kizu and small rust spots from swords in our collection. I have had many opportunities to observe his work up close. Spending a full day watching him polish swords, I have witnessed firsthand his sincere dedication to sword polishing and his extraordinary concentration. That is why this award feels so well deserved. It is the result of years of steady effort and commitment. I am truly happy for him and deeply proud of his achievement. When we heard the news, everyone on our staff was overjoyed.