The Token Society of Great Britain

21/06/2026

From a visit to the

A Wakizashi by Nobuyoshi.
Signed with a Chrysanthemum crest and "Echizen no Kami Minamoto Nobuyoshi" "A lucky day in May 1675".

Echizen no Kami Minamoto Nobuyoshi (越前守源信吉) was originally from the Kyoto Mishina school (三品派). He was the third son of the 1st‑gen Shinano no Kami Nobuyoshi (信濃守信吉), one of the Kyoto Gokaji (京都五鍛冶).
The Mishina lineage originates from Kanemichi (Mutsu no Kami Omichi), originally from Mino, later relocating to Kyoto.

He later moved from Kyoto to Osaka (Settsu province), showing influence by Sukehiro/Shinkai.

This blade features a hamon which is typical for Nobuyoshi, with a broad border (habuchi) it is mostly a wide notare punctuated with periodic gunome (regular waves). The troughs thick with accumulated konie (small distinguishable steel crystals). Then in places a wide undullating suguha (straight), elsewhere it contains toranba (peaky breaking waves) elements, typical for the Mishina school.

Nagasa (edge length): 53.8 cm
Sori (curvature): 1.5 cm

07/06/2026

Japan Art Fair in Utrecht happening on 12/13/14 June the coming week.

Great opportunity to see swords and armour and meet up with fellow collectors.

Experience the Japan Art Fair 2025 – Europe's premier event for buying and learning about traditional Japanese art and samurai-era culture. Explore Ukiyo-e prints, samurai armor, katana craftsmanship, and meet renowned experts. Immerse yourself in the legacy of Bushido and Edo-period aesthetics. V...

07/06/2026

From a visit to the

A Naginata by Osafune Sukesada, dated February 1712.
Signed "Kozuke Daijo Fujiwara Sukesada, who lives in Osafune, Bizen Province. A day in February 1712."

Yamato Daijo Sukesada (大和大掾祐定), who is thought to have made this work, was the adopted son of Kozuke Daijo Sukesada, son of Shichibe no Jo Sukesada, who was one of the best smiths of the Osafune school during the Shinto Period.

This blade features a hada made of itame mixed with fine ko-mokume. The hamon is straight suguha with a wide cloudy (nioi) border (habuchi).

Nagasa (edge length): 45.8 cm
Sori (curvature): 2.2 cm

03/06/2026

Gullane meeting
With just over a month to go before we get together in Gullane I thought I'd post some images of some of the blades which will be on view and discussed at the event. Our Gullane meetings have proven to be very popular and great fun. We hope members will be able to join us.
Full agenda copied below:

Token Society of Great Britain

5th July 2026 Meeting programme

Venue:

Gullane village hall

Hall crescent,

Gullane

EH31 3HA

Sunday:

10.30 Opening remarks: Robert Boyd and Martin Hughes

10.45-11.30 An introduction to a Yamato Naginata-Naoshi

11.45 - 12.30 An introduction to the Mishina Kinmichi School

12.30-13.45 lunch break

13.30-14.15 A brief reminder on Sword Handling- Paul Bowman

14.30-14.45 kantei team exercise introduction Robert Boyd and Martin Hughes

14.45 -15.45 Kantei Team Exercice All

15.45 -16.30 Explanation and discussion -All

16.30. Close

There will be a number of swords and fittings on display from members collections.

There will also be sales tables for members

31/05/2026

From a visit to the

A Wakizashi by Osafune Sukenaga, dated August 1840.
Signed "Yokoyama Kaga no Suke Fujiwara Ason Sukenaga" (横山加賀介藤原祐永) from Bizen Osafune, "a day in August 1840" with Chrysanthemum crest.

Many late Edo period smiths tried to improve their position through acquiring titles. Sukenaga received not only the rank of "Kaga no Suke" (vice governor of Kaga Province) and "Ason" (lord) from the imperial court, but also the right to engrave the imperial chrysanthemum on his blade. By the Edo period, these titles could be held by multiple people and no longer conferred any power. Instead, the just added to one's social status.

This blade features a typical Sukenaga hamon. Straight at first, it then becomes a mix of Ochoji (large choji), fukuro choji (choji with round peaks resembling pouches) and juka choji layered choji), before curving back in a wide arc within the point (kissaki). Its border (habuchi) is very thin and fine-grained.

Nagasa (edge length): 53.5 cm
Sori (curvature): 1.5 cm

24/05/2026

From a visit to the

A katana by Osafune Kiyomitsu (清光), dated February 1570.

Kiyomitsu was the name of several standout Osafune School smiths of the Sue-Bizen (Late Bizen) schools, the name given to the smiths working in Bizen province in the mid to late Muromachi period.
While many Osafune smiths went by the name Kiyomitsu, one of the main lines used the title "Gorōzaemon no Jō", passing it down from generation to generation.

This blade features an intense steel grain of itame hada interspersed with large mokume in darker steel. The hamon is straight suguha.

Nagasa (edge length): 69.4 cm
Sori (curvature): 1.9 cm

15/05/2026

From a recent visit to the

A katana by Bishu Osafune Kiyonori from the Yoshii school, dated February 1462.
There were several generations of smiths with the name Kiyonori (備前國吉井住清則).

This blade features a perfectly rounded bean-like gunome hamon, typical for the Yoshii school. precise and even from the tang to the point.

Nagasa (edge length): 64.2 cm
Sori (curvature): 1.5 cm

14/05/2026

New article
An article describing a katana by Oya Kunisada has been added to the members section of the Society's website

10/05/2026

From a recent visit to the

A Tachi signed Bishu Osafune Yasumitsu, and dated to August 1443.

Bishū Osafune Yasumitsu (備州長船康光) was one of the leading Bizen Osafune smiths of the early–mid 15th century. Multiple generations used the name, but the smith active closest to 1440 is the 2nd generation Yasumitsu. He is considered one of the finest Oei–Bizen masters, alongside Morimitsu.
The Oei–Bizen group (Morimitsu, Yasumitsu, and others) represented a revival movement, consciously returning to Kamakura-period elegance after the grand Nanbokuchō shapes.

This blade features a mixed choji and gunome hamon.
Nagasa (edge length): 75.2 cm
Sori (curvature): 2.9 cm

01/05/2026

new article
A new article discussing differences between koto and shinto work has been posted in the members area