Konnichiwa Everyone!

I hope you are all genki (healthy and happy).

I am particularly excited about this Japanese sword catalogue for you all to enjoy. Given the particular interest shown for the Kawai Hisayuki Daisho recently featured on our website, Catalogue 21 is an exclusive focus on the remarkable Shinshintô period.

In this edition are four highly collectible swords by four master smiths of their generation. The four swordsmiths are Suishinshi Masahide, Taikei Naotane, Taira Nobuhide and Shimizu Hisayoshi.

The Shinshintô period (~1780–1876) is a term that refers to swords made between the Shintô (1596–1780) and the Haitorei Sword Abolishment Edict of 1876 that forbid the wearing of samurai swords in public by the newly formed Meiji government. The word Shinshintô literally means “new new sword.” The start of the period is closely associated with the fukkutô movement pioneered by Suishinshi Masahide.

The fukkutô initiative is the phrase used to describe a revival of old kotô-era forging traditions of the late Heian and Kamakura period (987–1337). It marks an important time for collectors as it rejuvenated the art of Japanese sword making through dedicated individual efforts to recreate the masterpieces of the past.

Each one of these swords is a piece of artistic mastery. It is essential to recognise that each sword is the result of creative diligence, patience and a resounding faith in one’s intuition.

Every strike of the steel, every fold, every second the sword is heated has a direct cause and a certain result on the outcome of the sword. The best swordsmiths trusted their own intuition and experience that they were on the right path. We all live in a world of cause and effect.

A sword is a pure object made with only natural elements. The enlightened smith understands that he is working with nature, not above it, completely immersed within it. True masters align themselves with the laws of nature and are clear in what they want to achieve. They are intensely aware of every move they make, adjusting their creation as they commit forward.

Having the great pleasure of working with magnificent clients from all over the world, I am convinced that creating a successful life is just like crafting one’s own samurai masterpiece.

Thank you to all who have joined our VIP email list — your passion energises me. Please contact me at service@uniquejapan.com to become part of it too!

Feel the history and create your history.

Warm regards,