Shinsa Info

A shinsa, or appraisal/authentication, will be held during the event for swords and sword fittings (tsuba, menuki, fuchi-gashira, koshirae, etc.) which can be submitted for judgement by advanced reservation. The group of experts coming from Japan to perform the appraisals are from the non-profit Nihon Token Hozon Kai (NTHK-NPO) which is the oldest sword appraisal group in Japan, dating back to the Meiji period (founded in 1910).

The organization was formally granted non-profit status (NPO) by the Japanese government in 2002 as an educational organization. The group publishes a bi-monthly journal called "Token to Rekishi" ("The Sword and History"). Additionally, the group offers formal appraisal and authentication services in an effort to help preserve the culture of Japan and to educate the public. The NTHK has made numerous trips to the US for appraisal sessions to meet the needs of Western collectors and to educate owners of souvenir swords so that they too may appreciate the beauty and history associated with these unique works of art.

The appraisal team is highly respected in Japan; the team is second only to the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai (NBTHK) in the number of swords they receive each month for appraisal.

Those wishing to submit swords and/or fittings (tsuba, menuki, fuchi-gashira, koshirae, etc.) for shinsa must first reserve a space and pay a non-refundable $100 submission fee per item (payment by check or paypal (address below)). Items passing shinsa will incur an additional mandatory fee of $200 payable at the completion of the shinsa (cash ONLY) for the formal appraisal papers (kantei-sho) which are sent from Japan rough 3 months after the shinsa.

For those individuals who wish to submit items for shinsa but are unable to attend the event, we will offer a mail in submittal service at $100 per item plus return shipping costs (include the mail in fee with your reservation payment- these fees are in addition to the shinsa fees detailed in the preceeding paragraph). Items should be shipped at least 2 weeks prior to the event. Items will be submitted to shinsa on Thursday, April 27, 2023. Those mailing in items will be notified after the shinsa of the results by email and after remitting any outstanding balance, the items will then be repacked and returned following final payment. Those making a reservation for the mail-in shinsa will be notified a month before the event of the shipping address and must ship the items per the instructions provided.

A kantei-sho, or appraisal certificate, with a picture and description of the item will be sent to the owner from Japan following the shinsa. The owner will also receive on the day of submission a copy of the shinsa team's worksheet which will describe the sword/fitting and indicate the period, maker (or school), and point score at the conclusion of the shinsa, translated into English.

Kantei-sho will be issued according to the following system:

60-69 points: Shintei-sho (equivalent to the NBTHK Hozon level)
70-79 points: Kantei-sho (equivalent to the NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon)
80+ points: Kantei-sho (plus eligible for the yearly Yushu shinsa held only in Japan)

We encourage those interested to make their reservations sooner rather than later as space is limited and usually sells out well in advance of the event.

For Hotel, Table reservations and further information about the Chicago Japanese Sword Show, please contact: