[4] After the end of World War II, the General Headquarters of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers confiscated Japanese swords.

A question was presented as a "paper appraisal" showing the Oshigata of the Hamon (刃文の押形), and the correct answer is explained in the next issue.

[15] According to the current appraisal system from 1982,[16] high-value swords and sword mountings are classified into 4 grades from the top: Tokubetsu Juyo (Special Important), Juyo (Important), Tokubetsu Hozon (Special Preservation), and Hozon (Preservation).

In the answer from Bunmei Ibuki, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, said the "(NBTHK is) appraisal agency that there is only one".

The Department of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology ordered an investigation and instructed to ensure the fairness of the examination.

[21] After that, the association applied for a sword examination that violated the resolution for improvement measures by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.

Representative Hosaka Nobuto raised a subject at the Culture and Science Committee at the 165th national diet on 20 October 2006.

[22] In 2007, Representative Sasaki Kensho asked about examination application from board-members or non-members and unfair relation with specific dealers, etc.

[21] Prime Minister Shinzo Abe submitted a response that included circumstances of the question to the chair of the House of Representatives.

The competition consists of sword forging, horimono (blade carving), metal work, sword polishing, shirasaya (storage scabbard), toso (scabbard), tsukamaki (hilt wrapping) and habaki (blade collar) divisions, and awards are given in each division.

Most recently, the Masamune Award was given to Amata Akitsugu in 1996,[30] Norihiro Miyairi in 2010 for a tantō,[31] and Kunihira Kawachi in 2014 for a tachi.