Japanese cultural center meeting in Paris

Supporting Traditional Japanese Craftsmanship in Europe

At the beginning of 2025, Supein Nihonto had the honour of attending a special cultural and institutional event at the Japanese Cultural Center in Paris, located just a short distance from the Eiffel Tower.

The invitation was extended by Mr. Akinari Takehisa, Mayor of Setouchi City, in collaboration with Mr. Ninomiya Etsuro, Financial Counsellor of the Mission of Japan to the European Union and representative of the prestigious Kitamae-bune Organization.

The event brought together Japanese government representatives, craftsmen, cultural institutions, and industry professionals with a shared goal: preserving and promoting traditional Japanese craftsmanship on the international stage.

The mission of the Kitamae-bune organization

The Kitamae-bune Organization is a major cultural initiative composed of representatives from twenty-three Japanese prefectures.

Working under the broader vision of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba for regional development and cultural preservation, the organisation seeks to strengthen the international presence of Japan’s traditional industries while supporting local craftsmen and artisans.

Its mission is particularly important today, as many traditional crafts face increasing competition from mass-produced goods and changing consumer habits.

By creating connections between Japan and international markets, the organisation helps ensure that centuries-old skills remain economically viable for future generations.

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Discovering contemporary japanese craftsmanship

The event featured an exceptional exhibition dedicated to contemporary Japanese artisans who continue to work using traditional techniques passed down through generations.

Visitors were able to admire:

Traditionally forged Japanese swords (nihonto)
Contemporary works by licensed Japanese swordsmiths
Traditional Bizen pottery
Handcrafted Japanese metalwork
Fine artisan objects representing regional Japanese traditions
Examples of living Japanese craftsmanship recognised worldwide

What made the exhibition particularly remarkable was the direct connection between visitors and the craftsmen themselves, offering a rare opportunity to understand the dedication required to produce such exceptional works.

Setouchi and the legacy of bizen osafune

Setouchi occupies a special place in Japanese sword history.

For centuries, the region has been home to the legendary Bizen Osafune School, one of the most influential and celebrated traditions in the history of Japanese sword making.

Many of Japan’s most important historical blades were forged in Bizen, and the area continues to play a significant role in preserving the art of Japanese swordsmithing today.

The exhibition highlighted this historical legacy while showcasing the work of modern craftsmen who continue to uphold these traditions.

One of the most valuable aspects of the visit was the opportunity to participate in discussions regarding the challenges currently faced by traditional Japanese craftsmen.

Tameshigiri demonstration by Kanzaki Masaru

A highlight of the event was an impressive live Tameshigiri demonstration performed by Kanzaki Masaru.

Tameshigiri, the traditional Japanese art of test cutting, demonstrates both the quality of the sword and the skill of the practitioner.

Watching a master swordsman perform precise cutting techniques provided a powerful reminder that Japanese swords were never intended merely as decorative objects but as highly sophisticated functional works of art.

The performance offered guests a deeper appreciation of the relationship between craftsmanship, martial tradition, and practical application.

A memorable gift from japanese craftsmen

As a gesture of appreciation for our continued support of Japanese craftsmanship and cultural exchange, we were honoured to receive a hand-forged kozuka personally signed by one of the participating craftsmen.

Such gifts carry special significance because they represent not only the skill of the artisan but also the spirit of cooperation and friendship that lies at the heart of traditional Japanese culture.

The piece remains a valued reminder of an unforgettable event and the relationships built throughout the visit.

Strengthening cultural bridges between Japan and Europe

Events such as this demonstrate the importance of international cooperation in preserving traditional arts and crafts.

At Supein Nihonto, we are proud to support initiatives that help connect Japanese artisans with collectors, museums, practitioners, and enthusiasts throughout Europe.

By participating in cultural exchanges and institutional events of this nature, we continue our commitment to promoting authentic Japanese swords, samurai culture, traditional craftsmanship, and the rich heritage that surrounds them.

Our commitment to authentic japanese art

The visit to the Japanese Cultural Center in Paris was both inspiring and encouraging.

Meeting the craftsmen, government representatives, cultural organisations, and industry leaders dedicated to preserving Japanese traditions reinforced our belief that authentic craftsmanship continues to have an important place in today’s world.

We remain committed to supporting Japanese artisans and bringing the finest examples of Japanese swords, samurai armour, and traditional art to collectors throughout Europe and beyond.

What our customers say

SupeinNihonto was born from years of dedication to traditional Japanese martial arts such as Aikido, Kendo, and Iaido, and a deep passion for collecting authentic samurai weapons and armor.

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      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 26 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Stephan S 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent dealer of Japanese antiques. Absolutely trustworthy with a superb selection.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Meixia l 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 我是一名常驻中国的室内设计师。当时我正在为一位客户的办公室寻找正宗的日本藏品，偶然了解到了Supein Nihonto。我们当时专门想找两套武士铠甲，将其作为空间的视觉核心。
整个合作过程中，埃里克提供了极大的帮助。他解答了我关于铠甲的各类疑问，包括铠甲的历史背景、尺寸规格、陈列方式以及物流运输等问题。尽管我们身处不同国家，他把所有事宜都处理得清晰明了。
铠甲如期送达，摆放在完工后的办公室里效果十分惊艳。最重要的是，我的客户对最终效果非常满意。
这次合作体验极佳。今后如果有室内设计项目需要采购正宗日本古董，我一定会再次选择这家。
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   May G 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great atention from the stuff, all the question was nicelly answered and the armor was very decorative and real gorgeous piece of art. Very happy with everything! Many thanks Supein nihonto!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Erika L 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Compré una armadura Gusoku y todo muy bien, tenía algunas preguntas y Eric ha sido capaz de contestar todo lo que no sabía, llegó todo muy bien embalado y bastante rápido. El Kabuto es muy bonito y está muy bien conservado.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Eric T 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. J'ai pu échanger de visu avec Eric. C'est un vrai passionné, qui maîtrise son sujet. Je le recommande vivement, surtout dans ce milieu ou le meilleur se mélange avec les pires escrocs
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Daniel L 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Hervorragende Dienstleistung, Qualität und persönliche Betreuung! Ich habe bereits drei Stücke von Supein Nihonto gekauft und hatte nie Probleme. Nach schlechten Erfahrungen mit anderen japanischen Händlern – lange Lieferzeiten und sogar ein verlorenes Paket – bin ich zu dieser Firma gewechselt. Ich werde ihnen treu bleiben und meine bereits beeindruckende Sammlung weiter ausbauen.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Mik B 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Ho acquistato da Eric un’armatura samurai di grande fascino e qualità, e l’esperienza è stata eccellente sotto ogni aspetto.

Fin dal primo contatto si è dimostrato estremamente professionale, competente e disponibile nel fornire tutte le informazioni richieste, accompagnandomi con trasparenza durante l’intero processo di acquisto. L’oggetto ricevuto corrisponde perfettamente alla descrizione e alle aspettative, con una cura nei dettagli che testimonia una profonda conoscenza del settore.

Ho particolarmente apprezzato la serietà, la correttezza commerciale e l’attenzione riservata al cliente, qualità oggi sempre più rare da trovare. La spedizione è stata accurata e l’armatura è arrivata in perfette condizioni.

Consiglio vivamente Eric a collezionisti, appassionati di arte e cultura giapponese e a chiunque sia alla ricerca di oggetti autentici e di alto livello.

Grazie ancora per questa splendida acquisizione che rappresenta uno dei pezzi più interessanti della mia collezione.

Mik – Roma, Italia
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Emanuele S 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had an excellent experience with Supein Nihoto. I purchased a katana and a wakizashi, and both pieces are truly beautiful — carefully selected and of remarkable quality. You can immediately see the attention to detail and the seller’s passion for what he offers.

The packaging was also exceptional: all the documentation was perfectly arranged in a refined envelope, which added a very elegant touch to the whole experience.

As a thoughtful gesture, he even included a small katana kake stand as a gift, which I greatly appreciated.

Beyond the objects themselves, the seller was very helpful, responsive, and clearly knowledgeable. His selection is outstanding, and you can tell he deals in genuinely fine items.

Highly recommended — I would definitely purchase from Supein Nihoto again
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Dimitrios K 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Legit dealer of Japanese treasures ! This man loves his work is not just reselling items, at first he is a collector and does this out of true passion.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Burke J 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I received a beautiful tokubetsu hozon nihonto for Christmas from Supein.  Actually my wife purchased the sword after receiving some helpful hints and recommendations lol.  She knows absolutely nothing about nihonto but Supein walked her through everything honestly and I ended up with something beyond my dreams and expectations, honestly.  The packing was exceptional, shipping fast and the sword itself a literal work of art.  Supein has a lifetime customer now as my collection grows. Thank you!
  
 
  
  
 
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Supein Cart

Samurai Art & Arms

Japanese Art & Culture

Japanese cultural center meeting in Paris

Supporting Traditional Japanese Craftsmanship in Europe

The mission of the Kitamae-bune organization

Discovering contemporary japanese craftsmanship

Setouchi and the legacy of bizen osafune

Tameshigiri demonstration by Kanzaki Masaru

A memorable gift from japanese craftsmen

Strengthening cultural bridges between Japan and Europe

Our commitment to authentic japanese art

What our customers say

Samurai Art & Arms

Nihonto

Tosogu

Armor

Japanese Art & Culture

Ukiyo-e

Inro

Netsuke

Noh Masks

Japanese cultural center meeting in Paris

Supporting Traditional Japanese Craftsmanship in Europe

The mission of the Kitamae-bune organization

Discovering contemporary japanese craftsmanship

Setouchi and the legacy of bizen osafune

Tameshigiri demonstration by Kanzaki Masaru

A memorable gift from japanese craftsmen

Strengthening cultural bridges between Japan and Europe

Our commitment to authentic japanese art

What our customers say