About

Japanese Art Swords is a gallery of fine swords and related art. Our goal is to be a resource for both beginning and experienced collectors of fine Japanese swords. We feature both antique and newly-made swords of quality, as well as tsuba and other fittings. We are located on the mezzanine of Rain City Fencing Center, at 1776 136th Place NE in Bellevue, Washington (directions: http://www.raincityfencing.com/about-us/contact/ ). We accept swords, fittings, and other items of interest for sale on a consignment basis. We are currently open by appointment.
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We can act as agents to take your sword or fittings to Japan for NBTHK papers, or to have your blade or koshirae restored. We also offer a preliminary kantei of your sword. Please bear in mind that a definitive kantei of a sword is virtually impossible without the sword in hand. This is particularly true of an unsigned blade.

Japanese Art Swords is owned by Tatsuhiko Konno and Stephen Colton. Mr. Konno is a professional sword polisher. In 1968 Mr. Konno wrote The Fundamental Japanese Sword Handbook published at Kokushikan University under instruction of Kanzan Sato. Mr. Konno has studied with several polishers since the early 1970's, including NBTHK sponsored training for which he received official certification in 1993. He has curated numerous exhibits including The Swords of the Samurai, which showed at Washington State University and the Bellevue Art Museum with the support of the Consul General of Japan and the US government.

Mr. Colton has studied and collected Nihonto and related art for over 40 years. He has given lectures and seminars on Japanese swords and related art forms to various Asian art interest groups in the Seattle-Bellevue area.