A Swedish man has become an unlikely protector of ancient Japanese swords by learning the art of sword-crafting, despite numerous setbacks including the major earthquakes that rocked Kumamoto in 2016.
Hans Koga, 45, also known as Hansuke Koga, lives in Nagomi, Kumamoto Prefecture, and is one of the rare koshirae artisans specializing in meticulously repairing the exterior, including the handle and sheath, of Japanese swords.
The southwestern Japan prefecture is where Higo koshirae originated, a sword style established by Hosokawa Tadaoki (1563-1646), father of the first daimyo of Kumamoto.