Samurai Art Expo runs from June 15-17 and brings together dealers, craftsmen and sword-smiths. Top-quality pieces from private collections are also set to be on show.
The initiative is organised by Eddy Wertheim, director of Japanese Gallery in Kensington and a member of the Antiques Young Guns. It is supported by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai (NBTHK) European Branch and To-ken Society GB, both organisations for the preservation and study of Japanese art and artefacts.
Among those dealers already down to attend are Masashi Shono (Japan), Giuseppe Piva (Italy), Henk Milius (Netherlands), Patrice Sabbah (France) and Udo Drechsel (Germany).
Included in the educational programme are talks on the new NBTHK Sword Museum, changes in Sukashi-Tsuba designs from the Kamakura to Muromachi period, and a survey and introduction to the five major Koto-period sword traditions or ‘Gokaden’.
The Samurai Art Expo website includes an enquiries page for potential exhibitors.
