Paul Kremers (Tsuba.info)
Since childhood, Paul has been nurtured in the rich environment of samurai art collected by his father. With decades of study and careful attention to detail, Paul has established his own antique business in Japan to support the worldwide community of collectors and institutions such as the Samurai Museum in Berlin. In the past few years, Paul’s expertise has been validated with Precious ‘Important Sword Fittings’ designations (Juyo) for several of his items by the NBTHK (the association for the preservation of the Japanese art sword). With such expertise, Paul is a leading Japan-based foreign expert in Japanese sword fittings.

Robert Hughes (Keichodo)
A long-term resident of Japan with 42 years in the field of education and decades of martial art experience, Robert began a side enterprise in 1986 arranging sword restoration services in Japan for international sword collectors. This offered an opportunity to engage in the acquisition and sale of Japanese swords and an eventual membership in the Japan Commercial Sword Dealer’s Association. This prestigious group of merchants holds the world’s premiere samurai art exhibition and sale called the Dai Token Ichi annually in Tokyo. His work and engagement in the sword community has recently been featured by NHK world.