You have found the sword. The swordsmith is a licensed master. The blade is everything you hoped for. Now comes the question every international collector eventually faces: how do you take it home legally? For a contemporary Japanese sword — one forged by a living licensed swordsmith — the answer is the Shinsakutō Certificate (新作刀証明書), and the process is more specific than most buyers expect.
Tozando has guided collectors through this process over 1,000 times a year across our locations — the Katana Shop online, our Seishoukaen and Gion Yasaka stores, and Gallery Tozando. This article explains exactly what the certificate is, how to obtain it, and why getting it right the first time matters.
1,000+
Sword export certificates handled by Tozando annually — contemporary and antique combined
2021
Year NBSK began issuing the Shinsakutō Certificate (令和3年6月), following coordination with the Agency for Cultural Affairs
2
Distinct export certificates — one for contemporary swords (NBSK), one for antiques (Agency for Cultural Affairs)
What Is the Shinsakutō Certificate?
Formal name
Shinsakutō Certificate · 新作刀証明書
Issued by: 日本刀文化振興協会 (NBSK — Japan Sword Culture Promotion Association)
An official document certifying that a blade is a contemporary Japanese sword (shinsakutō, 新作刀) forged by a swordsmith holding a valid sword-making licence (sakutō kyoka, 作刀許可) issued by Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs. The certificate establishes the sword's legal identity as a genuine nihonto for the purposes of international export and customs clearance.
Why This Certificate Exists: A Brief History
For many years, there was no dedicated export certificate for contemporary Japanese swords. Dealers — including Tozando — processed export applications for newly forged blades through the same channel used for antiques: the Kobijutsu Export Certificate (古美術品輸出鑑査証明) issued by Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs (文化庁).
This was always something of an anomaly. The word kobijutsu — literally "old fine art" — refers to cultural objects at least 100 years old. A sword forged last year by a living licensed swordsmith is, by definition, not kobijutsu. Nevertheless, for many years this was the only established export route, and dealers used it accordingly.
The problem grew as demand grew. Applications to the Agency for Cultural Affairs for the Kobijutsu Export Certificate tripled over the years, and processing times lengthened significantly. The agency was handling a category of applications — newly forged contemporary swords — that did not properly belong to its remit, and doing so in volumes that strained its capacity.
Following coordination between the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Japan Sword Culture Promotion Association (NBSK), a dedicated solution was introduced: the Shinsakutō Certificate (新作刀証明書), with issuance beginning in June 2021 (令和3年6月). Contemporary swords exported from that point forward could use the new certificate, freeing the Agency for Cultural Affairs to focus on genuine antiques, and giving the contemporary sword market a more appropriate and purpose-built export pathway.
The certificate matters because Japanese swords occupy a legally sensitive category in customs law worldwide. Without proper documentation, a blade — however exquisite — may be treated as an unregistered weapon at the border. The Shinsakutō Certificate, issued by the Japan Sword Culture Promotion Association (NBSK), provides customs authorities with the documentation needed to classify the sword correctly as a cultural object rather than a prohibited weapon.
It is important to understand what this certificate is not: it is not the sword's registration certificate (tōken torokushō, 刀剣登録証), which is the domestic document required for legal possession within Japan. The registration certificate and the Shinsakutō Certificate serve different purposes and are both necessary for a sword to leave Japan legally in the hands of its foreign owner.
Which certificate applies to your sword?
The Shinsakutō Certificate covers
contemporary swords — blades forged by living licensed swordsmiths (現代刀 / 新作刀). For
antique swords (古刀, 新刀, 新々刀 — blades made before the Meiji period or classified as historical items), the applicable document is the
Kobijutsu Export Certificate (古美術品輸出鑑査証明) issued by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. If you are unsure which category your sword falls into,
contact us — this is one of the most common points of confusion.
The Export Process, Step by Step
The process is straightforward when you know what to expect. Where collectors run into difficulty is usually in the sequencing — attempting steps out of order, or being unaware that certain documents must be in hand before others can be initiated.
Confirm the sword's registration certificate is in order
Before anything else, the sword must have a valid Japanese registration certificate (tōken torokushō, 刀剣登録証) issued by the Board of Education of the prefecture where the sword was first registered. This document is required by Japanese law for any sword to be legally possessed within Japan, and it must exist before the export process can begin. If you are purchasing from a licensed dealer, the registration certificate will accompany the sale. A sword without one cannot be legally exported — and cannot be legally exported same-day, since this document takes time to issue.
Required before any export application
Apply for the Shinsakutō Certificate from NBSK
The application is submitted to the Japan Sword Culture Promotion Association (日本刀文化振興協会, NBSK). The sword is sent to NBSK's office together with its registration certificate (刀剣登録証), where it is photographed and measured. The data is then sent to the swordsmith, who reviews the details and adds their personal signature — a step that makes the certificate an authenticated record in the swordsmith's own name, not merely an administrative document. After the swordsmith's confirmed return, NBSK issues the certificate with its official seal. Fee: ¥50,000 + tax per blade, which includes a second form (第二様式) for customs submission. Processing typically takes 10–14 days, subject to the swordsmith's schedule. Dealers with established relationships with NBSK — including Tozando — handle this entire process on behalf of the buyer.
Key document for contemporary swords
Prepare customs documentation for your destination country
Requirements vary by destination. Most countries require the Shinsakutō Certificate, the original registration certificate (or a certified copy), and a commercial invoice. Some destinations — notably the United States, Germany, Australia, and Canada — have specific import regulations for swords that require additional documentation or prior permits. We advise confirming your country's requirements before purchase, not after.
Varies by destination country
Ship through a specialist carrier or carry in checked baggage
A Japanese sword may be transported as checked baggage on international flights (never carry-on) or shipped via a specialist international freight service. In either case, the complete documentation package must accompany the blade. Tozando coordinates specialist shipping for buyers who prefer not to carry the sword personally, including customs declaration preparation and packaging that meets airline and freight requirements.
Checked baggage or specialist freight only
Clear customs at your destination
Present the complete documentation package to customs authorities. The Shinsakutō Certificate, the registration certificate, and the commercial invoice together establish the sword's identity, provenance, and value for duty assessment purposes. Customs officers in most countries are unfamiliar with Japanese sword regulations — having documents that are clearly organised and translated where necessary makes an significant difference. We provide an English-language summary document for buyers upon request.
Documentation package essential
The process is not difficult — but it has a sequence, and that sequence cannot be shortcut. A sword you can carry home the same day you "made" it is, by definition, not one that has been through this process.
Why Tozando Handles Over 1,000 Cases a Year
The volume reflects the breadth of what we do: the Katana Shop (japanesesword.net) ships internationally to collectors in over 40 countries, our Seishoukaen and Gion Yasaka stores serve visitors purchasing swords to take home, and Gallery Tozando handles acquisitions of significant contemporary works by licensed masters including mukansa-ranked swordsmiths.
Across all of these channels, the export documentation process is the same — and the questions are remarkably consistent. Is this sword eligible for export? Which certificate does it need? How long will it take? Can I carry it on the plane? What happens at customs in my country?
Our staff are fluent in these answers because they deal with them daily. That familiarity is not a selling point we mention incidentally — it is the substance of what we offer international collectors, alongside the swords themselves. Buying a sword from a dealer who does not regularly handle export documentation is buying a sword and a problem; we prefer to sell the sword and solve the paperwork.
Tozando also has a long-standing relationship with the Bizen Osafune Sword Museum in Okayama — one of Japan's most significant institutional homes for sword culture — which gives our staff direct access to expert consultation on authentication, classification, and documentation questions that fall outside standard cases.
Common Questions
How long does the Shinsakutō Certificate application take, and what does it cost?
The standard processing time is 10 to 14 days from the date the sword arrives at NBSK — though this depends on the swordsmith's availability to review and sign the certificate. The fee is ¥50,000 plus consumption tax per blade, and this includes the customs submission form (第二様式) used at the point of export. We advise buyers not to book return travel until documentation is confirmed — not because delays are common, but because a missed departure is a significant inconvenience.
What is the second form (第二様式), and do I need it?
The 第二様式 (second form) is an additional document issued alongside the Shinsakutō Certificate specifically for customs submission at the point of export. Presenting it to Japanese customs means the Kobijutsu Export Certificate from the Agency for Cultural Affairs is not required. Crucially, it has no expiry date — so if you obtain the certificate now but export the sword later, the second form remains valid. For certificates issued from April 2025 onwards, the second form is included free of charge at the time of application. For older certificates, the original can be sent to NBSK and the second form will be added and returned.
Can I apply for the certificate myself, without a dealer?
In principle, yes. In practice, applications submitted without an established dealer intermediary take longer and are more likely to require supplementary documentation. NBSK's processes are conducted in Japanese, and the registration certificate and swordsmith's licence documentation must be presented correctly. Most international buyers find that the dealer handles this on their behalf as part of the sale.
My sword was made by a swordsmith I met at a workshop. Can I get a certificate for it?
Only if the swordsmith holds an active 作刀許可 and the blade has been registered as a Japanese sword. If the workshop produced what is legally a knife or practice blade — regardless of how it was described — it is not eligible for a Shinsakutō Certificate, because it is not a shinsakutō. If you are uncertain about the status of a blade you acquired, contact us and we can help you determine what documentation, if any, is applicable.
Do I need the certificate for a sword I am keeping in Japan?
No. The Shinsakutō Certificate is an export document. For a sword you intend to keep permanently in Japan, the registration certificate (刀剣登録証) is the relevant document for legal possession. If you later decide to export the sword, the certificate can be obtained at that time — provided the sword was properly registered to begin with.
What if my country has additional import restrictions on swords?
We advise on this as a standard part of the purchase process. Requirements vary considerably: some countries treat a Japanese sword as a cultural object with minimal formalities; others require import permits, prior notification to authorities, or restrict blade length. The United States, Australia, Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom each have specific requirements. We prepare buyers with country-specific guidance before the sword ships.
A Note on Timing
The single most common source of difficulty in our experience is buyers who have not allowed enough time. The registration certificate, the Shinsakutō Certificate, and any destination-country import documentation all take time to process. None of them can be produced on demand, and none can be produced for a sword that was made and handed over the same day.
If you are planning a trip to Japan with the intention of purchasing a sword, we recommend initiating contact with us before you travel. That allows us to identify the right sword for your collection, begin any applicable documentation in advance, and ensure that your acquisition process is complete — not still in progress — when you return home.
Planning a visit to Gallery Tozando?
Gallery Tozando in Kyoto holds works by licensed swordsmiths including mukansa-ranked masters. We recommend contacting us before your visit so we can prepare for your specific interests and allocate the time your visit deserves. Significant acquisitions handled through the gallery include full export documentation as a standard part of the service.
Tozando · Export Documentation
Ready to Bring Your Sword Home?
Our team handles export documentation for contemporary and antique Japanese swords across all of our locations. Contact us to begin the process — or to ask any question before you commit to a purchase.
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