Sources

Sources

Press

1. Tsunagu Japan, “Hirata Tantōjō: the Japanese swordsmith power couple keeping katana-making traditions alive” (S. Sabia, 26 September 2023)
2. Tsunagu Japan, “More than a sword for samurai: the world of katana and nihontō explained by swordsmith Hirata Tantōjō” (16 August 2023)

NBTHK: competitions consulted

1. NBTHK, results of the 現代刀職展 (Gendai Tōshokuten) of 2019 (『刀剣美術』, Tōken Bijutsu, no. 749)
2. NBTHK, catalogue of the 現代刀職展 (Gendai Tōshokuten) 2020
3. NBTHK, catalogue of the 現代刀職展 (Gendai Tōshokuten) 2021
4. NBTHK, catalogue of the 現代刀職展 (Gendai Tōshokuten) 2022
5. NBTHK, results of the 現代刀職展 (Gendai Tōshokuten) 2023
6. NBTHK, catalogue of the 現代刀職展 (Gendai Tōshokuten) 2024
7. NBTHK, catalogue of the 現代刀職展 (Gendai Tōshokuten) 2025
8. NBTHK, results of the 現代刀職展 (Gendai Tōshokuten) 2026

Image credits

1. Hirata Sukehira and Hirata Nodoka at their forge in Ōme. (hirata-pareja-taller.jpg)

   Photo: Tsunagu Japan (© Tsunagu Japan).

2. The tatara alight. (hirata-a1cc9c.jpg)

   Photo: the smith himself.

3. A red-hot piece, taken from the hearth. (hirata-2a3773.jpg)

   Photo: the smith himself.

4. Two people forging in the Ōme workshop. (hirata-4841c9.jpg)

   Photo: the smith himself.

5. A piece on the anvil, held with tongs. (hirata-4fc9ac.jpg)

   Photo: the smith himself.

6. Red-hot iron under the hammer. (hirata-6a65ed.jpg)

   Photo: the smith himself.

7. A bar comes out of the hearth. (hirata-85d494.jpg)

   Photo: the smith himself.

8. The tapping of the tatara. (hirata-d68a5f.jpg)

   Photo: the smith himself.

9. Two steel bars. (hirata-5c19c9.jpg)

   Photo: the smith himself.

10. A finished yanagiba knife. (hirata-15293f.jpg)

    Photo: the smith himself.

11. The hardening line of a gyūtō knife. (hirata-27c13b.jpg)

    Photo: the smith himself.

12. Five kitchen knives. (hirata-9174e9.jpg)

    Photo: the smith himself.

13. A santoku knife with his signature. (hirata-eee066.jpg)

    Photo: the smith himself.