A close-up of a katana blade (刀). The katana is a symbol of Japan’s rich history and craftsmanship. As a lifelong fan of Japanese culture (日本文化), I’ve always been fascinated by the stories behind legendary swords.
So, I am beyond thrilled to share some exciting news with you: our company has acquired the popular YouTube channel History of Katana!
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For those who have been following us over the years, you know how passionate I am about sharing all things Japan (日本) – from tea to traditions.
This new venture is especially close to my heart. History of Katana is a channel devoted to the history of the Japanese katana sword and samurai (侍) era, and it’s now becoming part of our family.
I can hardly contain my excitement about this, and I want to tell you all about why this is great news for our community.
In this post, I’ll introduce the original creator (whom we all owe so much to), and a good friend of mine who will be joining me in bringing you awesome content on the channel. 🎉🇯🇵
Honoring Makoto Kikuchi – The Legacy Behind History of Katana
First, I want to shine a spotlight on Makoto Kikuchi (Instagram: @makosanjp, LinkedIn: Makoto’s Profile).
Makoto is the original creator and driving force behind History of Katana.
He launched the channel just last year and, through his passion and expertise, grew it to over 27,000 subscribers in just one year.
That’s an incredible achievement! Makoto’s videos have captivated fans around the world with their deep dives into samurai sword history, famous blades, and the fascinating culture surrounding these iconic weapons.
What makes Makoto’s work truly special is his authenticity.
He’s not just a YouTuber; he’s a lifelong student of Japanese swords. In fact, Makoto is a certified Kendo (剣道) 3rd Dan, meaning he has mastered the art of Japanese swordsmanship to a high level. (How cool is that?) His deep knowledge and genuine love for the topic shone through in every episode he created.
We always honor Makoto’s spirit of sharing Japanese culture with honesty and enthusiasm, and our commitment is to uphold the same level of quality and passion that he brought to the channel.
I want to take a moment to thank Makoto for everything he’s done.
History of Katana is his baby – a project born out of his love for Japanese history – and we’re honored that he has entrusted it to us.
Rest assured, we will carry on Makoto’s legacy with the utmost respect. Our team will strive to keep the content as engaging and informative as ever, staying true to the vision that Makoto set forth.
And here’s some more good news: Makoto will still be involved! Even though he’s handed over the channel’s reins, Makoto has graciously agreed to collaborate with us from time to time on future videos.
You might see him pop up as a guest narrator or advisor in upcoming content. His continued presence means a lot to us; it ensures that the channel stays connected to its roots.
We’re grateful to have Makoto on board in this new capacity, and we hope you’ll join us in saying a big “arigato” (ありがとう) to him for all his hard work and for helping us in this next chapter.
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From Tea to Katana – Why We’re Expanding Our Cultural Journey
Now, you might be wondering: Why is a Japanese tea company running a YouTube channel about katana swords?
At first glance, it’s an unusual pairing – tea and samurai swords – but let me share why it makes perfect sense to us.
Here at Dream of Japan, our mission has always been to celebrate and share the best of Japanese culture in all its forms.
We started with tea (お茶) because it’s a quintessential part of Japanese life and tradition. But our love for Japan doesn’t stop at tea leaves and ceremonies.
We’re fascinated by history, art, and craftsmanship in Japan, whether it’s the way a tea bowl is crafted or the way a katana blade is forged.
In fact, there’s a beautiful common thread between a cup of matcha and a folded steel sword: heritage.
Both are the product of centuries of dedication, skill, and spirit. The same values of respect, patience, and attention to detail that define the Japanese tea ceremony also run deep in the making and wielding of a katana.
Many of you who enjoy learning about Japanese tea have also expressed interest in other cultural topics. By bringing History of Katana into our family, we’re broadening the content we offer you – diving into samurai history and sword lore – while staying true to our core aim of sharing Japanese culture (日本文化).
We believe that if you love Japan as much as we do, you’ll find the world of katana just as inspiring and enriching. 🗡️🍵
Meet Matt Gelgota – My Long-Time Friend and New Co-Host
I’m also excited to introduce you to someone who will be joining me in running the channel: my good friend Matt Gelgota (LinkedIn: Matt Gelgota).
Matt and I go way back – we bonded years ago over our mutual fascination with Japan. He’s the perfect partner for this project, and I’ll tell you why. Matt spent over 7 years living in Japan, fully immersing himself in the language and daily life.
His creativity for video making is amazing. In fact, he was the wizard behind making many of our videos, including the Dream of Japan video on the homepage and the Japanese Knife Co. Video. (and a lot more!)
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In fact, he worked as a teacher, teaching the English language to students during his time there. (Yes, he’s essentially a sensei!)
This experience gave him a deep understanding of Japanese culture and an authentic perspective that he’s excited to bring to the channel.
Having Matt on board is a huge win for the History of Katana community.
Not only is he knowledgeable about history, but he’s also a fantastic communicator – thanks to his teaching background, he knows how to make complex topics fun and accessible.
Matt shares my passion for storytelling and education.
He’s brimming with ideas for engaging videos, from exploring famous swords and legendary samurai battles, to possibly even spotlighting the art of sword-making and how it connects to other Japanese arts.
Most importantly, Matt is as enthusiastic as I am about connecting with all of you.
He’s looking forward to answering your questions in the comments, learning from your feedback, and helping me ensure that we keep delivering content you love.
Please give Matt a warm welcome (ようこそ)! We’re so happy to have him as part of the team. 🎉
What to Expect – Our Vision for the History of Katana Moving Forward
So, what changes and what stays the same on the History of Katana channel? Let me reassure you: the heart of the channel remains unchanged.
We will continue producing the high-quality, fascinating content about Japanese swords that you’ve come to love. All the existing videos aren’t going anywhere, and if you haven’t watched them all yet, they’re waiting for you to enjoy.
Going forward, our plan is to build on the solid foundation that Makoto created and, if possible, add even more depth and excitement to it.
With Matt and me teaming up (and Makoto cheering us on and advising from the sidelines), you can expect a few new touches.
We’re brainstorming fresh video ideas and series, possibly including on-site visits (imagine us visiting a swordsmith’s workshop!), interviews with experts, or even connecting the dots between samurai history and other aspects of Japanese culture (yes, maybe even a story or two about how samurai enjoyed tea 🍵).
We’ll also keep a regular posting schedule so you know when new content is coming.
Our goal is not only to teach you cool facts about katana and history, but also to make you feel as if you’re right there with us on a journey through time in Japan’s past.
If you have any topics you’d love to see covered on the channel, please let us know!
This channel is for you as much as it is for us, and we want to create videos that you are excited about.
Community has always been at the core of what we do.
Just as I love reading your comments on the blog and emails about tea and culture, I’m really looking forward to engaging with the History of Katana audience.
Many of you are already fans of the channel (some even discovered our tea blog through it, and vice versa), so this is an opportunity to bring our communities even closer.
Let’s learn and explore together! 🔥
If you’re new to the channel, don’t be shy – jump into the comment section on YouTube or here on the blog and say hello. We don’t bite (I promise), and we love hearing your perspectives and answering your questions about Japanese history.
Stay Connected – Subscribe to the History of Katana Newsletter
As we embark on this exciting new chapter, we’d love for you to stay connected and join us on the adventure.
We’ve set up a brand new History of Katana email newsletter where we’ll share updates, behind-the-scenes stories, and exclusive content for subscribers.
If you’re as eager as we are to dive deeper into the world of samurai swords and Japanese history, this newsletter is for you!
You can subscribe to it here. It’s free, and it’s the best way to make sure you never miss a new video or any special announcements. 📧
Of course, if you haven’t already, make sure to also subscribe to the History of Katana YouTube channel (so you get notified whenever a new video drops).
Between the YouTube subscription and the newsletter, you’ll be fully in the loop. We invite you to be an active part of this journey – watch the videos, leave comments, reply to our newsletter emails – your participation is what fuels us!
Finally, I want to say from the bottom of my heart: thank you. Thank you for being the best community of readers a blogger could ask for.
Whether you’ve been with Dream of Japan since the early days or you just stumbled upon this post today, your support means the world to me.
I’m incredibly grateful to be able to share my passions with you – and now, to take you along into a new realm of discovery with History of Katana.
I truly believe that this blend of tea and katana content is going to be a rewarding experience for all of us.
Arigato (ありがとう) for reading and for your continued support.
I can’t wait to bring you more amazing stories and experiences, one cup and one sword at a time. Here’s to honoring the past and enjoying the present together! 😊🙌
Sincerely,
Kei Nishida (and the entire Dream of Japan team)
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About the author
Kei Nishida
Author, CEO Dream of Japan
Certification: PMP, BS in Computer Science
Education: Western Washington University
Kei Nishida is a passionate advocate of Japanese craftsmanship, a writer, and the founder and CEO of Japanese Knife Co., Japanese Green Tea Co., and Japanese Coffee Co., all part of Dream of Japan.
His journey began with a mission to introduce the world to the exquisite flavors of Japanese green tea. Through Japanese Green Tea Co., he pioneered the import of premium tea grown in nutrient-rich sugarcane soil, earning multiple Global Tea Champion awards. He then expanded into the world of coffee, launching Japanese Coffee Co., the first company to bring Sumiyaki charcoal-roasted coffee to a global audience.
With a deep appreciation for Japanese artistry and tradition, Kei turned his attention to one of Japan’s most revered crafts: bladesmithing. Through Japanese Knife Co., he made handcrafted katana-style knives, created by a renowned katana maker, available outside Japan for the first time. These exceptional knives embody centuries of samurai sword-making expertise, blending tradition with modern functionality for chefs and collectors alike.
Kei’s journey continues as he uncovers and shares Japan’s hidden treasures—one sip, one blade, and one legacy at a time.
