Jarman International would like to congratulate JI Core 50 member Paul Martin on receiving the Order of the Scottish Samurai’s (OSS) Ambassador Award. The award was presented by Hisako, Princess Takamado, a member of the Japanese imperial family, and recognizes Paul’s work to promote understanding of Japanese swords both in Japan and abroad, as well as his contributions to UK-Japan relations.
An expert on Japanese swords and a published author, Paul was the first international recognized as a sword specialist by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Tourism and Transport. He previously worked as a curator at the British Museum and is also a three-time English Karate Champion.
“I would like to express my deep gratitude to Her Imperial Highness and The Order of the Scottish Samurai,” Paul, who has lived in Japan for over two decades, posted on Facebook.
Based in Aberdeen, Scotland, OSS is an awarding body founded in 1994 by Scottish karate master Ronald Stewart Watt, who in 2010 was presented with the Order of the Rising Sun, an honor recognizing distinguished service to Japan. In their own awarding work, OSS recognizes “excellence, character and respect in alignment with the ancient spirit of budo [martial way],” and aims for its community to contribute to “a closer and more peaceful global future,” according to the OSS website.
Regarding his favorite things about living in Japan, Paul wrote for JI that “I get to do what I love as my career, while being totally immersed in the culture and feeling very close to its history. I love meeting the descendants of famous samurai, it makes it all feel so recent.”
Paul also explained his journey to Japan and the origin of his love for Japanese swords in an article for Deep Japan.
Congratulations again to Paul on his OSS Award!