昭和２２年１１月２５日生　〔刀匠銘　福津久（ふくつぐ）〕

◆　県立真岡高校一年の時、刀剣研磨・鑑定を志し、小山市の荒井研帥に指導を受ける。

◆　昭和４２年４月神奈川県藤沢市、大久保和平鍛刀所に入門する。

◆　昭和４３年ｌ月神奈川県大磯町、人間国宝刀剣鑑定研師永山光幹氏に帥事する。

◆　昭和４６年３月東海大学工学部精密機械専攻卒業する。(ｸﾛﾏﾄ等科学分析も習得)

◆　昭和４７年９月文化庁より刀匠の承認を受け、栃木県二宮町に美術日本刀鍛錬研磨柳田研究所を創設。

◆　昭和５０年７月本阿弥家刀剣鑑定奥伝位免許を受ける。

◆　昭和５１年３月二宮町無形文化財保持者として指定を受ける。

◆　財団法人日本美術刀剣保存協会主催、研磨技術等発表会研磨の部、上位入選７回。

◆　財団法人日本美術刀剣保存協会主催、新作名刀展、昭和５３・５４・５５・５６各年上位入選。

◆　昭和６１・６２・６３年全日本抜刀道大会に於いて、総合第一位、連続して内閣総理大臣賞受賞。

◆　平成２年１１月天皇陛下即位之礼御刀研磨総合工作承り、同月５日納品。

◆　平成６年７月〔さむらい刀剣博物館〕を創設し、一般に開放する。

◆　平成１６年８月イギリス国営放送ＢＢＣの取材を受ける。

For English

Ritsuo Yanagita swordsmith Profile
Born November 25, 1947 (Toushou Name : Fukutsugu )

◆　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

◆　In August 2004, he was interviewed by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).