Nihonto Club

I have been conducting a focused study of Fukunaga Suiken (福永酔剣), particularly his work as a Japanese sword author, researcher, and private appraiser.

I have already been working with examples of his published writings, 鑑定證, sayagaki, and several independently documented swords carrying his appraisal material. My present interest is less in identifying individual certificates and more in developing a better documented picture of Suiken himself.

I am particularly looking for:

• Japanese articles, journals, catalogues, or books discussing Fukunaga Suiken personally
• information concerning his appraisal activities or professional affiliations
• additional photographs of genuine Suiken certificates or sayagaki
• references to collections or swords known to have been examined by him
• biographical information, including his later life and death
• contemporary Japanese assessments of his scholarship or reputation
• information concerning his work on gimei and sword authentication

I am already familiar with his major published books, including Nihontō Meikōden, Nihontō Daihyakka Jiten, Nihontō Kantei Hikkei, and his work concerning gimei, so I am particularly interested in less obvious primary or contemporary sources.

If anyone has references, photographs, old catalogues, journal citations, or personal knowledge concerning Suiken, I would be very interested in comparing material.

Thank you,
Jon