Johan Leutwiler: The First Foreign Swordsmith
Johan became the first non-Japanese to achieve the prestigious status of a traditional Japanese swordsmith. Starting in 2018, he trained under Master Swordsmith Yoshihiro Kubo, a leading figure in the Japanese sword-making world. After completing five years of apprenticeship Johan successfully passed the swordsmith certification exam on his first attempt. In 2024, he launched his independent career, establishing his workshop in Hiroshima Prefecture. Even before his official debut as a certified swordsmith, Johan gained attention from both Japanese and international media, particularly in his home country of Switzerland. From a young age, he was captivated by the beauty of Japanese swords and pursued his dream of becoming a swordsmith. At 18, he began working at an ironworks to save money for his future. He also recognized the importance of mastering the Japanese language for his craft, studying diligently while still living in Switzerland. In 2024, Johan achieved his long-held dream of becoming a certified swordsmith. Moving forward, we eagerly anticipate how he will bring new perspectives to the world of Japanese sword-making and contribute to its tradition.