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Future In Traditions

Japanese Swordsmith, Mr. Kunimasa Matsuba, holds one of his made sword plates at his workshop in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. Mr. Kunimasa Matsuba (60 years old) has been recognized by the Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords as being of the highest rank of swordsmith (able to present swords at exhibitions without needing to be checked by anyone). In his workshop, traditional Japanese swords are made by heating steel to 1300 or 1400 degrees, repeatedly folding and striking the metal to forge resilient blades. According to Mr. Matsuba, striving for a beautiful blade and viewing it as an art piece is something unique to Japanese swords: “In the 1000 years since the beginning of the warrior class, these swords have grown beyond their meaning as a tool for fighting, and been passed on to the current age.” There are many overseas fans of Mr. Matsuba’s swords in the US and Europe, particularly in France and Germany, and over 200 pieces of his are owned by foreign collectors. Mr. Matsuba has travelled overseas to perform martial arts demonstrations with swords, and has worked to spread awareness of the beauty of Japanese swords. “With the population of Japan declining, the market is shrinking further and further. By promoting them overseas, this decline can be made up for. In order for the younger generations of swordsmiths to be able to make a living, the overseas market is important.” (Photo by Alessandro Di Ciommo/NurPhoto)

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