There has been some confusion about websites and accounts. There is NO connection currently between the NBTHK-Japan https://www.touken.or.jp/museum/ and AB website https://nbthk-ab2.org/
Each group maintains their own website and membership list/accounts.
This is a very important distinction especially during the Juyo Process. Please see the note below from Robert Hughes explaining the need to have your own account with Honbu as well the process to set your account up with Japan.
American Branch NBTHK Members Advisement
From: Robert Hughes
Over the past few years, I have been submitting swords to NBTHK Hozon, Tokubetsu Hozon, Juyo and Tokubetsu Juyo Shinsa with the new on-line procedure. As individual member names no longer appear on Hozon nor Tokubetsu Hozon certificates, as an agent I just submit the client swords under my name. However, this is not the case for Juyo and Tokubetsu Juyo Shinsa as the client’s name is published in the Token Bijitsu monthly journal, in the Zufu, and on documents.
What many American Branch members fail to understand is that individual members actually have to take online registration steps after obtaining their American Branch membership number to complete the on-line registration for Internet Shinsa/Appraisal. If you do not complete this, a Japan-based agent cannot register your Juyo submissions in your name. This means that the agent would have to submit the Juyo applications under his or her own name and if successful in shinsa, the results will not appear in the client’s name in the publication of Token Bijitsu or in the Zufu.
See the two attachments below which are scans of the instructions to complete the on-line registration. If you have not done this, please follow the process outlined as “Procedures for Internet Registration” to get youself registered.
https://nbthk.touken.or.jp/Member/register/temp/new/en
Initiate the “Procedures for Internet Registration” and you will receive a document called “Announcement for Introducing the Internet Shinsa/Appraisal Application and the Internet Registration” sent to your e-mail address from NBTHK (Japan Honbu). It will state three things:
1. Membership number
2. Your name as registered on for your membership (enter it exactly the same exactly including same spacing or lack of spacing and title i.e. Mr., etc)
3. Temporary ID to gain access to the system to complete the on-line registration. Later you will not need to use this temporary ID for log-in. You will only need your membership number or your registered e-mail address.
Use this information to complete the on-line registration. You do not need to enter an overseas Zip/postal code as the on-line registration is only set up for the seven digit Japanese style.
I hope this information is sufficient to enable all members to complete this task.
Best Regards,
Robert Hughes
