Ritsuo Yanagita swordsmith Profile

◆　Freshman year in high school. decided to become a Swordsmith and a Japanese Swords Judge, and began studying from Master Arai in Oyama

◆　Apri1 19, 1967 went to Kanagawa ken to become a deshi of Oukubo sensei, a swordmaker

◆　January, 1968 became a deshi of Nagayama swordburnish in Ooiso machi

◆　March 1971 graduated from Tokai University with the department of engineering, precision course

◆　May 5, 1972 the swordsmith name of Fukutsugu conferred by teacher

◆　September 1972,received menkyo-kaiden ( a expert license for making of Japanese swords ) from the Agency for Cultural Affairs and opened Yanagita Research Institute ( making and burnishing of Japanese art swords )

◆　July 1975, received okuden ( license to appraise Japanese Swords in tradition ) of Honami

◆　March 1976, chosen as an intangible cultural treasure holder in Ninomiya machi

◆　a foundation Japanese Art Sword Protection Association competition of sword burnishing won award and achieved rate over the standard seven times

◆　1986-88 All Japan Sword Drawing Meet Champion and won prime Minister's award

◆　November 1990, burnished the Emperor's sword （ which is the symbol of Japan )

◆　July 1994, opened the Samurai Japanese Sword Museum

When making swords. a combination of 80 bundles of red pine charcoal and iron sand blocks are melted. Using all five senses,
He determines when the fire has reached the correct temperature of 1,300 degrees C. He uses his will to make the tamahagane gather and become pure .
During this process, he has reached a precious state of mind known as " mushin "

Each sword requires 90 days to complete.

In his 25 years of sword making, he has produced 600 swords but only 75 are extant.

About once in every 5 years is a true masterpiece created .

A good sword won't bend or break, will always cut truly and be light . Spirituality and beauty are important .The myriad qualities contained in a Japanese sword cannot be expressed but must be experienced to be understood.

For a swordsmith it is vital that he breath his own spirit , will and creativity into the blade.