Token Matsumoto (刀剣松本)

05/08/2024

The 3rd Yamagata Token Ichi July 29, 2024.

The 3rd Yamagata Token Ichi was successfully held for three days from Friday, July 26th at the Yamagata International Exchange Plaza (Yamagata Big Wing), with the cooperation of Santoryu and Keichodo. Since the day before, there was a strong rain in the Mogami and Shonai regions of Yamagata Prefecture that reached record levels, and a special heavy rain warning was announced. I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to those affected by this disaster. This was the third time we held the Yamagata Token Ichi and many sword connoisseurs came to visit. The local newspaper ``Yamagata Shimbun'' published an article about the event in their morning edition and that attracted many visitors as well as members of the NBTHK Yamagata branch and members of the Yamagata Prefecture sword registration judges. I felt the event has been more and more recognized by local connoisseurs. We also had a customer who operates a bonsai tree business who searched for a year to find the perfect bonsai tree to display in my shop. You can see in the photo just how beautiful it is. The event was successful and I really appreciate the work of my staff and all the supporters. Next year, we are planning to hold the 4th Yamagata Token Ichi for three days starting Friday, April 25th. We will do our best to make this an event that sword enthusiasts in Yamagata Prefecture will look forward to.

See more at: https://www.touken-matsumoto.jp/en/blog/

04/06/2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IergGDqHlDQ

This Episode of Super Samurai Market takes us again to Token Matsumoto a sword dealer in Nishi Kasai just 30 minutes from Tokyo station. If you are intereste...

04/06/2024

Product No. KOZ-2815:

The theme of this Kozuka is Mount Fuji. The material is Copper with Shippo inlay. The Shippo work was brought by Hirata Doujin, the first generation of the Hirata Family. He was ordered by Tokugawa Ieyasu in the early Edo Period to study the Shippo technique. He journeyed to Korea to study. Later he returned to Japan and became an official worker of the Bakufu as Shippo Craftsman of mainly sword fittings. These secret skills were passed on only to his son. These Shippo skills are very rare. The Samurai of that time really adored the Shippo work because it was very beautiful and noble. The Hirata Family lineage continued for ten generations until the Bakamastsu Period. This Kozuka has a Mei of Hirata Genjo, who was the 9th generation who later became a monk. Before he became a monk, his name was Hirata Narimasa. The year of 1847, the 4th year of Koka, is inscribed. The theme depicts Mt. Fuji. A very auspicious theme. It has passed the Tokubetsu Hozon Tosugu.

See more at: https://touken-matsumoto.jp/en/product/shousai/KOZ-2815

25/05/2024

The 3rd Morioka Token Ichi May 13, 2024

The 3rd Morioka Token Ichi was held for three days starting on Friday, May 10th at the Aina "Iwate Prefectural Information Exchange Center" in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture. This time, in order to reach out to sword enthusiasts beyond Iwate in Aomori and Akita Prefectures, we published an ad in their local newspaper. We were interviewed by the Iwate Nippo and the event was published in the Saturday morning edition, and we also actively used social media to spread the word to the younger people who don't often read newspapers, which resulted in an increase in the number of visitors. On Sunday morning of the third day, I presented a basic lecture on Japanese swords for one hour to help increase the overall interest. While the event did not meet our expectations, we felt positive because we saw familiar faces and people who came to visit and purchase from us. The next Morioka Token Ichi will be held for three days starting Friday, May 9th 2025. We will do our best to make the Morioka Token Ichi an event that sword enthusiasts from the three northern Tohoku prefectures (Iwate, Aomori, and Akita) will look forward to!

See more at: https://www.touken-matsumoto.jp/en/blog/

24/05/2024

Super Samurai Market - Episode 12 - Item 2: A Katana by Kawachi Daijo Fujiwara Kunisada

1. Katana by Kawachi Daijo Fujiwara Kunisadahttps://www.touken-matsumoto.jp/en/product/shousai/KA-0615 ...

22/05/2024

Super Samurai Market - Episode 12.
A Kozuka from the Goto school

Please watch this video:

1. A Momoyama period Goto Kozuka with design of a Nanbanjinhttps://www.touken-matsumoto.jp/en/product/shousai/KOZ-2795 ...

03/05/2024

Product No. FU-2801

The theme of this Fuchikashira is Puppies. Dogs were protected by law by issued of the 5th Sh**un Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, 1680-1709. At this time, dogs were scared animals. This Fuchikashira depicts cute puppies on the Shakudo Nanako surface with gold inlay. Inside you can see the "Suemon inlay technique" where the inlay is attached to the Fuchikashira. So far there is no certificate, but one can expect good attribution.

See more at: https://www.touken-matsumoto.jp/en/product/shousai/FU-2801

03/05/2024

Be sure to watch our latest Super Samurai Market video on YouTube!

4. A pair of solid gold menuki with dragon design and attrution to the Kyo Kinko tradition https://www.touken-matsumoto.jp/en/product/shousai/MEN-2530 ...

30/04/2024

Product No. KA-0623:

This Tachi has passed the 57th Juyo Shinsa in 2010. This swordsmith, Motomitsu, was active during the Nambokucho Period in Osafune, Bizen Province. It was said he was the son or the disciple of Kanemitsu. His work can be found from 1342 to 1375. The features of his work resemble the work of Kanemitsu. This Tachi gives a robust impression and is in a good condition. A very impressive blade.

Juyo Token

See more at: https://www.touken-matsumoto.jp/en/product/shousai/KA-0623

09/04/2024

Product No. KO-0067

Chisagatana style Tanto Koshirae with Tsuba of Cherry blossoms. Menuki are Bow and Arrow, Dashi-menuki. Fuchi: Shakudo nanako pattern surface with a gold Kanji, Kashira: Flower, iron with gold plate. Thread-wrapped lacquered tsuka.

See more at: https://www.touken-matsumoto.jp/en/product/shousai/KO-0067

09/04/2024

The 10th Koriyama Token Ichi March 20, 2024

The 10th Koriyama Token Ichi was held for three days from Friday, March 15th at the convention complex "Big Palette Fukushima Convention Center" in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture. With published interviews by the local newspapers, there were many visitors. This time, I was able to give a lecture for "Japanese sword enthusiasts beginner's course from a sword dealer's perspective." I did my best to explain the basic knowledge of Japanese swords and make them feel more familiar with Japanese swords to increase their interest. The next Koriyama Token Ichi will be held in August for three days. I will make efforts to expand our product lineup and deliver items that will please sword enthusiasts in Fukushima.

See more at: https://www.touken-matsumoto.jp/en/blog/

26/03/2024

Product No. TSU-2759:

The theme of this Mt. Fuji Distant View. It is Mumei. It is made from Shakudo with gold and silver inlay.

See more at: https://www.touken-matsumoto.jp/en/product/shousai/TSU-2759

26/03/2024

Product No. KO-0066.

This Aickuchi Tanto Shonai Koshirae is a Kin-nashiji saya partially covered with silver cover that is depicting flowers and plants by the Katakiri-bori techinique. It comes with a Mumei Hirazukuri Tanto with Gunomemidare Hamon. The blade length is 18.1cm.

See more at: https://www.touken-matsumoto.jp/en/product/shousai/KO-0066

22/02/2024

Product No. TSU-2751

The theme of this Tsuba is Herons. It is Mumei but has been attributed to the Akita-shoami Tradition. The craftsmen of this Tradition were active in Akita, Dewa Province as the Shoami Tradition. The founder was said to be Shoami Denbei Shigeyoshi who was a disciple of the Shoami Tradition in Edo. He was allowed to use the family name of Shoami and returned to Akita and became an official worker of the Satake Clan in 1675. This Tradition continued until Bakamatsu Period. The features of this Tradition are the use of copper and Shibuichi, not only iron showing versatility of their craftsmanship. This Tsuba depicts a flying Herons and Herons in the water like a lifelike image. It is a typical craftsmanship of the Akita-shoami Tradition.

It has passed the Hozon Tosogu in 2022.

See more at: https://www.touken-matsumoto.jp/en/product/shousai/TSU-2751

05/02/2024

Product No. MEN-2740

The theme of this pair of Menuki is Shishi; Sacred Lion. It is Mumei but has been attributed to the Goto Tradition made in the Momoyama Period. It was crafted around the 4th and 5th Goto Soke generation. The 4th generation was Koujo Goto, and the 5th generation was Tokujo Goto. This pair of Menuki show the features of the Goto Soke craftmanship. It passed the Hozon Tosogu Shinsa.

See more at: https://www.touken-matsumoto.jp/en/product/shousai/MEN-2740

26/01/2024

Product No. TSU-2736

The theme of this Tsuba is Reminiscent of Ono no Tofu. There is a story of the man called Ono no Tofu. He was troubled by his lack of calligraphy and considered giving it up. One day he watched a frog trying to jump onto a willow branch. The frog continued to attempt to jump on the branch but kept failing. He considered impossible. However, a strong wind blew across the area and the frog successfully jumped on the branch. The man changed his way of thinking, of keep trying and not giving up. By this he could realize his goal of becoming master of calligraphy. This design does not have the man but by "Rusumoyo" the combination of the frog, the willow branches, and the umbrella you can see the scene play out. The craftsman, Masaharu, does not have much information. However, the Mei is very unique in its characteristic. Considering the craftsmanship, this craftsman was highly skilled during the Late Edo Period. It has passed the Hozon Tosogu Shinsa.

See more at: https://www.touken-matsumoto.jp/en/product/shousai/TSU-2736

23/01/2024

Product No. TAN-0286

This Tanto was forged by Sukesada from Osafune, Bizen Province, on a Day in August 1580, the 8th Year of Tensho. Sukesada was the representative swordsmith lineage of the Sengoku Jidai in the Muromachi Period. Among the Sukesada, there were several top swordsmiths such as; Yosozaemon and Gembei. Considering the features of Hamon, Kitae, Mei, and the forged year, this Tanto was likely forged by Gembei no jo Sukesada. A truly outstanding Bizen Tanto forged by Sukesada. Currently has passed the Hozon Token.

See more at: https://www.touken-matsumoto.jp/en/product/shousai/TAN-0286

23/01/2024

Product No. TSU-2727

The theme of this Tsuba is Chrysanthemum. This Tsuba has the Mei of Tadatoki. Considering the features of the Mei, this Tadatoki is likely the 6th generation who was active during the Late Edo Period. It is a very sophisticated design and has passed the Hozon Tosogu Shinsa in 2023.

See more at: https://www.touken-matsumoto.jp/en/product/shousai/TSU-2727