Kantei
A young man with a white cloth on his head and a dark samue talks in a workshop with large windows.

Young smith of Tomika (Gifu)

Miyata Masatoshi (宮田正寿)

A smith from Gifu born in 1996, licensed since 2023 and winner of the NBTHK newcomer’s prize in 2026: his life, his work and his prizes

Miyata Masatoshi was born in 1996, entered the craft in 2018 under Yoshida Masaya and has forged with a licence since 2023 in Tomika, in Gifu prefecture. He signs 正寿 (Masatoshi). In 2026 he won the newcomer’s prize in the NBTHK competition and in the Zen Nihon Tōshōkai’s omamori-gatana competition.

THE・LAST・STAND., for the 関市観光協会 (Seki-shi Kankō Kyōkai)

1996
Born in Kyoto prefecture
2018
Becomes an apprentice to Yoshida Masaya
2023
Receives his licence, aged 27
2026
Newcomer’s prize of the NBTHK and of the Zen Nihon Tōshōkai
On this page
  1. Quick profile
  2. In short

Quick profile

Swordsmith’s name
正寿 (Masatoshi) HD
Born
1996, in Kyoto prefecture HD
Where he forges
Tomika, in Gifu prefecture HD
Master
Yoshida Masaya (𠮷田正也), from 2018 HD
School or tradition
Yamato-den and Bizen-den, according to the work he has entered AT
Licence
2023, aged 27 HD
Rank
None; NBTHK 新人賞 (Shinjinshō) in 2026 HD

In short

He is one of the youngest licensed smiths: he received his licence in 2023, after five years of apprenticeship with Yoshida Masaya in Tomika. In his first year in the NBTHK competition, in 2026, he won with a tantō a Doryokushō niseki (努力賞二席) and the Shinjinshō (新人賞), the newcomer’s prize; and at that year’s Zen Nihon Tōshōkai omamori-gatana exhibition, first place for blades and another Shinjinshō.

Little has been published about him: almost everything that is known comes from a video by the city of Seki, from the prize lists and from what he says himself.

Sections

  1. From Kyoto to Tomika Life and forging His calling, his apprenticeship, his licence and his idea of the craft, with the Seki video.
  2. Yamato-den and Bizen-den Work and style What he is after, his prize-winning tantō and his protective sword.
  3. The newcomer of 2026 Prizes His 2026 prizes at the NBTHK and the Zen Nihon Tōshōkai.
  4. Bibliography and credits Sources The sources consulted and the credit of each image.