The japanese sword

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Restoration & Shinsa

    Your One Stop Shop for all Shinsa and Restoration Services in Japan.


*Shinsa with the Establishment of your choice

*Restoration by today's top Japaneses craftsmen

*Commission a genuine Japanese sword by a licensed Japanese Swordsmith.


The Japanese sword is your premier gateway to the Japanese sword world. I am a native English speaker, based in Tokyo, and I have a vast number of fully traditionally trained swordsmiths, polishers, scabbard makers, handle wrappers, fittings makers, lacquerers and habaki makers at my service. I also provide a top shinsa service. I am able to submit your swords, koshirae, fittings and armor to the major shinsa organisations based in Tokyo. We do our best to get you a result while your treasures are here with us in Japan.Together with our many knowledgable friends and craftsmen here in Japan, if you don’t get the result that you hoped for, we can offer sound advice with further options before sending your artworks back to you, and we will resubmit for a second shinsa for free (shinsa fees still apply).

For more information, please click here.

Sword Commissions

Swordsmiths in Japan are regulated by the government. Smiths have to be licensed and are restricted to making two long swords or three shorts swords per month. Every aspect of sword making by all the craftsmen involved is by hand. Due to the various craftsmen involved in the completion of one blade, there are various waiting lists. On average, it takes approximately one year from your initial payment to complete your order. Longer if you have also ordered mountings.

You can either choose a swordsmith from our database, or ask us to suggest a smith that meets your needs or budget. After a brief discussion to confirm that your order meets your specifications, using our specialist translation services (sword terminology is complicated and most swordsmiths do not speak English), we will then place your order for you.

For more information, please click here.

Our Friends

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My column at Japan-Foward (Sankei Shinbun)

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Nihonto Bunka Shinko Kyokai (NBSK)

nbthk link

The Society for the Preservation of
Japanese Art Swords (NBTHK)

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NTHK Yoshikawa Group

nko link
NTHK NPO

ajs link

The All Japan Swordsmiths Association

armoury link
The Association for the Research and Preservation of Japanese Helmets and Armor

Japanese Sword Specialist
Paul Martin

NBTHK Kantei Kai, 2018.

Recent News: NBTHK Kantei Winner, and NBSK Trustee

On Saturday 27th January 2018 Paul Martin took first place at the NBTHK Tokyo Branch new year Ippon Nyusatsu (one guess per sword) Kantei Kai competition. It is the second time he has been placed first in the competition and the first non-Japanese to do so.

Additionally, at the beginning of the year, Paul was appointed as a Trustee of the Nihonto Bunka Shinko Kyokai Public Foundation (NBSK). Paul said that he feels very honored to be appointed as a Trustee of one of Japan's largest sword organizations and very happy to have been placed first in such a prestigious competition. Paul intends to continue to do his best to promote Japanese sword culture and the related crafts around the world. 

Paul is also a regular columnist for Japan-Foward (Sankei Shinbun) where he contributes some enlightening articles of historical and current interest. View his articles by clicking on the link.

Japanese Sword Specialist
Paul Martin

Nippon no Deban! 2016.

There are many non-Japanese that have made a life in Japan within Japanese culture. They have immersed themselves in communities in every part of Japan's vast island network. Nippon No Deban is a television programme dedicated to these people, and regularly broadcast profiles of their lives. Paul Martin, who has dedicated his life to the promotion and preservation of the Japanese Sword, is one of those people. This video is a clip from the episode that Paul appeared on. We would like to thank Christopher E. Zambrano for providing the subtitles. (Don't forget to click on HD!)

Turkish Airlines Featurette.

Delightful Stories.

Paul Martin's Endless Journey.

Recently Paul was asked to participate in one of a series of programmes for Turkish Airlines in-flight entertainment, documenting how some people that have a dream persevere in the pursuit of that dream. The video to the right gives the viewer a small insight into the dedication Paul Martin has put into his quest to fulfill his dream and communicate the passion he has for his art, but it would take a full length film to demonstrate the sacrifices and hardships endured to reach his goal. The months working and training with some of the best Swordsmiths Japan has to offer. His journey from London to Japan then to UC Berkeley, California, in the USA and back to live in Japan. Paul Has spent the best part of his life so far to the preservation and promotion of The Japanese Sword.
the Japanese Sword

 

The Japanese Sword is your premier gateway to The Japanese sword world. A native English speaker, based in Tokyo, I work with a vast number of swordsmiths, polishers, scabbard makers, handle wrappers, fittings makers, habaki makers, sword dealers, etc. You name it, I have a contact for it here in Japan. We can commission swords on your behalf, or introduce and mediate with Japanese sword dealers. We also take your treasured swords and have them appraised at one of the three major appraisal organisations in Japan. We can also have them restored to their former glory, and order full sets of mountings, or plain wooden sleeping scabbards for you. All done by fully apprenticed traditional Japanese sword craftsmen. We also try our best to work with your budget, and give sound advice on what's best for your sword. We make your dreams come true. (Don't forget to click on HD!)
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Swords of Japan

On Sale NOW !!!

New Book Out Now!!, A Beginner's Illustrated Guide: Swords of Japan by Yasuko Kubo of The Japanese Sword Museum/NBTHK, and translated by Paul Martin of the British Museum and NBSK.  In a handy pocket size (13 cm x 18 cm)
Taking Orders Now, Ships from Japan.
Price: 2160 JPY plus shipping and packing.
If you would like to purchase a copy please use our Contact Page, fill in your details, and we will provide you with the total costs including postage & packaging to your part of the world and how to pay.

Model 6

Historic samurai sword returned to owner.

Sword Repatriation.

The gift of Honour Restored by returning a Japanese Sword to its rightful owners is an act of unmeasurable charity. If you have a Japanese sword that you would like to send back to it’s original owner, or descendants, please contact us for assistance to help you determine if the blade is eligible to return back to Japan, and if so, assist in locating the family. See previous articles here.