Nihonto Gallery

10/02/2026

https://budojapan.com/kenjutsu-iai/260114/

Text by Paul Martin Paul Martin and his Kamon(Photo/Steve Morin)Each installment of this series is available for a limited time only—don’t miss it!(Publication period: January 14, 2026 – February 13, 2026)  In the previous chapter, we discussed the……

05/02/2026

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/shows/3022079/

Starting with Ieyasu, the Tokugawa Shoguns made clever use of falconry beyond mere hunting. Uncover their deep connection with these majestic birds.

24/01/2026

!!! LAST CALL !!!
THEY TRAVELED HOURS FOR THIS... YOU CAN WATCH FROM YOUR SOFA

Today, I had the privilege of delivering my SHINSHINTO - THE SWORDS OF THE LAST SAMURAI presentation live in London.

I was honestly humbled by the dedication in the room. Some enthusiasts travelled significant distances to be there. Why? Because they know that in our world, one mistake can cost you far more than the price of a train ticket.

I know that feeling of hesitation. We have all been there. You are staring at a sword that looks good, but a voice in your head asks: "Is this actually a good buy? Or am I about to lose money on a flawed piece?"

It is stressful. And frankly, none of the books teach you how to handle that moment.

If you missed the London event, you have one final chance to join us tomorrow online.

This isn't a history lecture. It is a buyer's survival guide. I am going to equip you with the practical tools I use to evaluate swords confidently.

YOU WILL WALK AWAY WITH THE SKILLS TO:

🛡️ Avoid The "Money Pits": We will cover the specific challenges of acquiring Shinshinto—including how to spot fatal flaws and the "gimei" (fake signature) traps that catch beginners.

🟢 "Buy" or "Pass"? I will teach you a practical framework to evaluate quality.

📈 Beat the Market: Shinshinto swords are currently undervalued compared to Koto/Shinto. This is a rare window of opportunity. I will show you why smart collectors are buying now before the broader market catches on and prices rise.

The goal is simple: To give you the confidence to act when you see the right sword, and the wisdom to walk away when you see the wrong one.

👇 Secure your spot for Sunday's Masterclass here:
https://buy.stripe.com/4gM14n5Xv8ate2JfaS6sw05

EVENT DETAILS
🗓 Date: Sunday, January 25th
🕒 Time: 2:00 PM GMT (London time)
📍 Where: Live via Zoom (Link sent upon registration)
⏱ Duration: 60-minute session + Personalised Q&A
🎥 Replay: 7-day access included if you can't join live.
💰 Price: $67

Don't navigate this complex market blindly. You can spend years (and thousands of dollars) learning these lessons the hard way, or you can fast-track your knowledge tomorrow afternoon.

👇 CLICK BELOW TO SECURE YOUR SPOT
https://buy.stripe.com/4gM14n5Xv8ate2JfaS6sw05

23/01/2026

FROM KOTO SNOB TO SHINSHINTO BELIEVER: A COLLECTOR’S CONFESSION

When I started my journey with Nihonto 20 years ago, I fell into a common trap.

I was told, "Koto swords are the best." So, naturally, that’s all I chased. I ignored everything else, treating the Shinshinto period (1781–1876) as merely a footnote at the edge of my interest.

But as my knowledge grew—and my wallet emptied—I realised a hard truth:

Most affordable Koto swords available to us are "tired." They are often polished down, sometimes deformed, and frankly, they were produced as tools of war, lacking the artistic quality we dream of. The true Koto masterpieces? They were financially out of reach for 99% of us.

Then, my perspective shifted.

During my regular buying trips to Japan, I finally took a hard look at Shinshinto. What I saw shocked the "Koto snob" in me:

Metallurgy: High-quality steel that often rivals the old masters, with some blades even showing distinct utsuri.

Condition: Unlike a tired 600-year-old blade, Shinshinto swords are often healthy, heavy, and preserved in their nearly original shape—something I deeply appreciate from my Iaido background.

Completeness: It is not rare to find them in their original Koshirae, offering a complete historical package.

This Sunday, I am hosting a masterclass, SHINSHINTO- THE SWORDS OF THE LAST SAMURAI, that goes beyond the textbooks.

I’m not interested in teaching you a list of names and dates you can read on Wikipedia. I want to teach you the practical reality of these weapons. I want to share 20 years of "unwritten" collector experience to help you spot quality that others miss.

If you want to move beyond the myths and understand the true value of this era, join me.

👇 Secure your spot for Sunday's Masterclass here:
https://buy.stripe.com/4gM14n5Xv8ate2JfaS6sw05

EVENT DETAILS 🗓 Date: Sunday, January 25th 🕒 Time: 2:00 PM GMT (London time) 📍 Where: Live via Zoom (Link sent upon registration) ⏱ Duration: 60-minute session + Personalised Q&A 🎥 Replay: 7-day access included if you can't join live. 💰 Price: $67

22/01/2026

Katana
Signed Gassan Sadakazu
Dated 1866
Late Edo Period
Bakumatsu Koshirae
Tsukamoto Samurai Sword Museum

22/01/2026

WHEN BEAUTY BECAME A DEADLY TRAP: THE STORY THAT CHANGED JAPANESE SWORDMAKING

Imagine a moment when an elite samurai draws his beautiful sword against a thief...
..only to watch his blade SNAP and the tip fly off onto a neighbour's roof!

This isn't fiction. It's a real incident documented in historical texts that revealed the dark truth about the "fashionable" swords of the Shinto period (1596-1780).

While they looked spectacular with their "toranba" wave patterns, they FAILED in actual combat.

This shock sparked a revolution in Japanese swordmaking known as SHINSHINTO (1781-1876).

Led by visionary Suishinshi Masahide, smiths began abandoning showiness in favour of FUNCTIONALITY. Their mission? To create swords that were "unbreakable, unbending, and sharp."

What does this mean for today's collector?

✅ Shinshinto swords represent a UNIQUE COMBINATION: • Historical authenticity of the last samurai era • Technological perfection inspired by the Koto traditions • Visual beauty that does not compromise functionality

⚠️ BUT BEWARE: As the popularity of these swords grows, so does the number of sophisticated forgeries and "gimei" signatures.

That's why this Sunday I'm hosting a special masterclass SHINSHINTO - THE SWORDS OF THE LAST SAMURAI

EVENT DETAILS 🗓 Date: Sunday, January 25th 🕒 Time: 2:00 PM GMT (London time) 📍 Where: Live via Zoom (Link sent upon registration) ⏱ Duration: 60-minute session + Personalised Q&A 🎥 Replay: 7-day access included if you can't join live. 💰 Price: $67

Don't navigate this complex market alone.

👇CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO SECURE YOUR PLACE
https://buy.stripe.com/4gM14n5Xv8ate2JfaS6sw05



Which era of Japanese swords fascinates you most and why? Share in the comments! 👇 👇 👇

21/01/2026

A short video from last year's Dai Token Ichi and kantei evening. :)

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/shows/2084073/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPdV9NleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFTZ1RFOFZ1MnhqZWpqZnVxc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHj6l2ThBSt3ikR2YRKxF5SB1IKr1SC383nEHrtrq7U9GuLYX0EQOiE2jhHVr_aem__D3W0lN8vBbO5zSzSJ6kZA

The fact that foreign collectors cherish Japanese swords helps to unearth ancient works taken overseas after 1945. It also serves as a force for preserving traditional techniques facing extinction. Corrected on January 19, 2026: The footage at 00:49 has been partially edited since the initial broadc...

20/01/2026

SHINSHINTO - THE SWORDS OF THE LAST SAMURAI, Masterclass announcement

Fellow Japanese sword enthusiasts,

The Shinshinto period (1781–1876) was the final, brilliant flare of traditional sword making before the end of the samurai era. It’s a fascinating, turbulent period of revival and innovation. While these swords offer incredible value, the market is tricky to navigate without the right knowledge.

To help collectors navigate this complex era, appreciate the gems and avoid the pitfalls, I've prepared an exclusive 60-minute masterclass.

Why focus on Shinshinto? These swords represent a unique chapter in Nihonto history and offer significant advantages for today's collectors:

✅ Accessibility: A high-quality, more affordable alternative to older Koto or Shinto periods.
✅ The Revival: Distinctive, active hamon patterns inspired by famous Kamakura and Nanbokucho traditions.
✅ Artistry: Rich, decorative horimono carvings, found especially on shorter blades.
✅ History: A tangible connection to the dramatic events of the Bakumatsu and the Meiji Restoration.

What We Will Cover:

In this condensed session, we will dive into the historical context leading to the revival, identify typical characteristics, and discuss current collectability.

I will introduce works by giant figures of the era, including:

The "Edo Sansaku" (The Three Great Smiths of Edo)
The technically perfect Yokoyama school
The legendary Gassan school (ayasugi-hada)
Masters like Koyama Munetsugu and later Hizento smiths
Rare works by the daimyo "Rekko" of Mito

This isn't just theory—the presentation will include several detailed visuals of blades to illustrate key kantei points. As well as common ✅ "Pitfalls" and "Challenges" to help you acquire nihonto with the best possible result.

EVENT DETAILS
🗓 Date: Sunday, January 25th
🕒 Time: 2:00 PM GMT (London time)
📍 Where: Live via Zoom (Link sent personally via email upon registration. If you are registering late at night, please allow a few hours for the email to arrive.
⏱ Duration: 60-minute session with personalised Q&A
🎥 Replay: Includes 7-day access to the recording if you can't join live.
Price: $67

👇CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO SECURE YOUR PLACE
https://buy.stripe.com/4gM14n5Xv8ate2JfaS6sw05

11/01/2026

Tachi
Signed Sanjyo Munechika
Heian Period
10th Century
Owned by Toyotomi Hideyoshi
Mori Shusui Museum

11/01/2026

Kumageshiri Saya Itomaki Tachi Koshirae
Edo Period
17th Century
Handed down by the Date family.
Mori Shusui Museum

11/01/2026

Katana
Attributed to Go Yoshihiro
Nanbokucho period
14th Century
Given to Date Masamune by Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Mori Shusui Museum

11/01/2026

Katana
Attributed to Ichimonji
Middle Kamakura Period
13th Century
Used by Uesugi Kenshin
Mori Shusui Museum