Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai


The Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai is a public interest incorporated foundation established in February 1948, to preserve and promote Japanese swords that have artistic value.

History

has value as arts and crafts and there are more than 110 swords being designated as National Treasure.
But after the Meiji Restoration and the 廃刀令 in 1876, a major concern grew that the swords would be lost overseas.
Although, Japanese sword making was abandoned work, it was approved in the 4th Imperial exhibition in 1934 as a revival of Japanese swords.The nihonto tanren renshu jo led by Kurihara Hikosaburō discovered 82 swordsmiths from local area and supported.
After the end of the World War II, the confiscation of the Japanese swords were carried out by the GHQ.
However, the US military understood the strong request from the Japanese side through the Yokohama Military Commission that "Japanese swords are treasures of each family as art objects."
As a result, swords as art objects were excluded from the confiscation.
The "Prohibition of possession of firearms" was promulgated, and the prohibition of "swords and valuable items as art" were excluded on June 1, 1946.
The Japanese government has designated 17 swords and others as new important works of art.
The volunteers established the Foundation on February 24, 1948, with the purpose of passing Japanese swords on to future generations,led by Junji Homma, who was a leading Japanese sword researcher, and Kan'ichi Sato, who was the director of the swords department of the Tokyo National Museum.
Initially, the headquarter office was located at the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno,Taitō,Tokyo,Japan.
The National Museum held the "Sword Art Special Exhibition" in May 1948 as an exhibition of swords as works of art.
In the same year,the association started a certification system for swords.
In addition, the 1st presentation of sword polishing production technology was held.
In 1949, the association published a specialized magazine, "Sword Art," which continues to this day.
In the magazine, there are commentaries with images of famous swords and sword tools, and the question is presented as a "paper appraisal" showing the Oshigata of the Hamon, and the correct answer is explained in the next issue.
In 1955, the first sword technology presentation was held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum and thereafter, it has been renamed to "New Masterpieces Exhibition" and "Modern Swordsmiths Exhibition" and is being held until now.
In 1968, moved the office to Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo,and set up the Japanese Sword Museum was opened with the funds raised by the members, to exhibit the saved and preserved swords.
In 1976, in order to secure sword-making materials that would become difficult to obtain year by year, the Nittoho Tatara Plant was established to produce "Wako " and "Tamahagane ", in Okuizumo town, Shimane Prefecture In 1977, the Nittoho Tatara Plant was revived in Yokota Town, Shimane Prefecture.
In 1982, the system for appraisal was changed from the conventional system for sword approval.
In 2006, "Issues of Shinsa " described later became a problem in the House of Representatives.
In 2009, more than 400 unregistered swords, which owners were unknown, were discovered in a storage of the NBTHK. In 2011, the documents on a violation of the Firearm and Sword Possession Control Low were sent to prosecutor's office, involving the NBTHK, then director and managing director, due to 36 unregistered swords possession.
But in 2012, the directors were exempted from prosecution.
Then, on April 1, NBTHK was certified as a "public interest incorporated foundation " by the Cabinet Office of the Japanese government by contributing "Sword Appraisal" to the public interest business.
In 2017, the Japanese Sword Museum moved to Kuramae and relocated to a new building.
These measures contribute to the development of Japanese sword culture.

Issues of Shinsa (grading examination)

The prestigious Sword Appraisal Certificate affects the quality and value of swords.
For example, "Meizukushi", a sword appraisal certificate from 1316, is held in the National Diet Library. The swordsmith Rai Kuniyuki described in the book is designated as a national treasure.
"Nakajirō" of the same book describes the price of thirty 30-kan as the valuation.
In the modern day, appraisal is almost monopolized by this association, which is a public interest corporation certified by the government.
In the answer from Mr.Ibuki the minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, said the "NBTHK is the only institute for appraisal for Japanese swords".
Therefore, a fair response is required for the examination.
However, there were complains about the examination by this association. the department of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology ordered investigation and instructed for ensuring fairness of examination.NBTHK answered that the board member and their family members and examiners are not arrow to submit exmination.
After that, the association applied for a sword examination that violates the resolution for improvement measures of the Agency for Cultural Affairs.Representative Hosaka Nobuto raised a subject at culture and science committee on the 165th national diet No.3 20th Oct. 2006.
Also, representative Sasaki Kensho asked about examination application from board-members or non members and unfair relation with specific dealers, etc.
On the contrary, Prime minster submitted response to the chair of the house of representative include circumstances of the story Cabinet house of representative question 169 No.79.
Below is a summary of the answers: regarding to the examination of Tokubetsu Juyo token , There were 344 cases of violation of regulation such as submitting examine from board members and their families, and from non members since report of 2006.NBTHK announced self-restraint of submitting from board members, their families, stuff members and examiners. so, the agency of cultural affair will supervise them.
The NBTHK is the organizer of Shinsaku Meito Ten - a competition of Modern Japanese swords. It is a major goal for modern swordsmiths to be awarded at this competition.
The competitions are held in two sections of Japanese sword making, carving technique on blade, and metal engraving.

Awards

The awards are as described above, but a swordsmith who wins each prize multiple times is given the Mukansa title, and considered to be one of the best modern smiths.
The Masamune Award is a special prize, and only given when an outstanding sword made by Mukansa smith was submitted.
Most recentry,the Masamune Award was given to Amata Akitsugu in 1996,a Tantō made by Norihiro Miyairi in 2010.
, and to a Tachi made by Kunihira Kawachi in 2014.

Past chairman

Generation / Name / Main Title
1. Moritatsu Hosokawa, member of Kizoku-in
2. Junji Honma Director, Arts and Crafts Division, Secretariat of the Cultural Heritage Protection Committee of the Ministry of Education, President of Honma Art Museum
3. Kinji Fujikawa, Director of the National Museum, Director of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Property Preservation Committee, Professor of Otsuma Women's University, sword researcher and collector
4. Sadanori Yamanaka, Secretary-General of the Okinawa Development Agency, Director-General of the Agency of Defense
5. Kajo Suzuki, President of construction company, sword researcher and collector
6. Ryutaro Hashimoto, Prime Minister
7. Atsuyuki Sassa, Director of Cabinet Security Office
8. Hiroyoshi Murayama, Tokyo High court Public Prosecutors Office General
9. Hiroshi Ono, Chairman of Rubber Products Company
10. Tadahisa Sakai, 18th Lord of former Shonai feudal