Welcome to the website for the Sydney Token Kai

Study group for the Japanese Sword and associated art 

We are a small but enthusiastic group of collectors of Nihonto (Japanese swords ) and associated antique Japanese arts based in Sydney Australia. Our focus is on education, stimulation and preservation. To this end we have from time to time social events, casual meetings and arrange for overseas experts and lecturers to come to Sydney and present for our group and for other like minded collectors. In 2009 and again in 2011, the Sydney Token Kai organised a NTHK Shinsa and Japanese sword display and Taikai. The NTHK Shinsa features a team of experts from Japan who  evaluate over two days any Japanese sword blades (Nihontô) , the fittings that the blade fits into (Koshirae), and the small individual metal fittings (Kodogu) that make up the Koshirae. These items are submitted by collectors and dealers of Nihontô at a pre-arranged time. For those items submitted that meet the criteria of the team (Shinsa-In), the NTHK  issues a paper (Origami) of authenticity. For the last two Shinsa, the team of experts from the NTHK were lead by Mr. Yoshikawa Eiichi, curator of swords for the Japanese Imperial Household Agency, the Shôsoin Treasure House in Nara, the Seikadô Museum collection and polisher for the Japanese Imperial Household.

Our plans for an Exhibition  "KATANA -  the story of the Japanese Sword" are progressing well. The next  Shinsa will be scheduled to co-incide with this important exhibition and we are looking at March 2016 at present. Please check back for updates.

The Sydney Token Kai is committed to continuing our efforts to provide an avenue for Australian collectors of Nihonto to seriously study. If you would like to attend a forthcomming meeting or have any questions regarding our group, please feel free to contact us info@sydneytokenkai.com, or by phone 0416016487

Regards,
Sydney Token Kai