Thursday February 22, 7:00 PM
With speaker Paul Martin, NHK Sword Lecturer
The Yokohama History Society is delighted to announce our next talk, a lecture by one of the world’s leading Japanese sword experts, Paul Martin. Paul’s talk will cover: The Sword and the Origin Myths of Japan; the Evolution of the Sword; How to View the Sword as Art; and the Sword in Japan Today. Paul will also offer brief sword-viewing instruction and bring in some blades for our appraisal.
Paul Martin Profile
A former curator in the Japanese section at the British Museum in London, Paul Martin has lived in Japan for over fifteen years. He holds an M.A. in Asian Studies (Japan) from the University of California, Berkeley, and is a trustee for the Nihonto Bunka Shinko Kyokai Public Foundation (NBSK). Additionally, he is a designated Bunka Meister (Master of Culture) for Honganji Temple’s (Kyoto) cultural organization, the Japonisme Shinko Kai, and is a recognized specialist by the Japanese Government’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). Paul is a two-time winner of the prestigious sword appraisal competition in Tokyo.
Paul has produced exhibitions, publications, DVDs, an award-winning documentary, and has appeared on TV all over the world. His 12-part series on Japanese swords will launch shortly on NHK World.
In addition to his academic and media pursuits, Paul is an accomplished martial artist holding 5th Dan in Iaido and 4th Dan in Kendo. A 3rd Dan in Karate, he was a National Team member of the England Karate team and a three-time English karate champion.
How to Register
The talk will be in English and will be followed by a Q&A session. To attend, please complete the form at the link below.
Admission to the talk is free. Food may be purchased from the YC&AC restaurant. (We recommend you arrive by 18:00 latest in case the restaurant is busy.) For drinks, a cash bar will be available in the function room.
Yokohama History Society 