About the Collector
Alexander
Where Iron Becomes Art: The World of Tosogu
Through tosogu.eu, Alexander shares both his collection and the fascination that drives it. The site is conceived as an open door — an invitation for newcomers to discover the world of Japanese sword fittings, while also contributing to the broader appreciation of an art form that remains, even among serious collectors, remarkably overlooked.
Alexander maintains close and active connections within the international community of collectors, scholars, and dealers across Europe, Japan, Australia, and North America. He approaches the field always as a collector: led by curiosity and aesthetic sensibility, drawn to objects that reveal more of themselves the longer and more quietly one studies them.
The Collector behind tosogu.eu
Alexander Grimm is a European collector of Japanese swords and sword fittings, with a particular focus on tosogu: The metal mountings that once formed part of the samurai sword.
His interest lies in the artistic and cultural dimension of these objects. Tosogu are often small in scale, yet they represent some of the most refined achievements of Japanese metalwork. Within only a few centimeters, generations of craftsmen captured landscapes, mythology, poetry, humor, and subtle expressions of nature.
Over the years, Alexander has assembled a small but carefully selected collection that spans several periods and schools. Many of the pieces date from the Koto and early Edo periods, reflecting a time when sword fittings balanced functionality with increasingly sophisticated artistic expression.
Alexander lives in Frankfurt, Germany and is a member of the N.B.T.H.K (European Branch) and is engaged in the Nihonto Club Germany. You will also find him in Utrecht at the Japanese Art Fair (JAF) every year in June.
An Ode to the Small that carries Greatness
This series is an invitation. An invitation to those who may love Japan, appreciate art, or simply feel a sense of curiosity. Dive into the World of Tsuba, Menuki & Kozuka; The fittings of Samurai Swords.
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Ode Part 1 – The World of Tosogu
This series is an invitation. An invitation to those who may love Japan, appreciate art, or simply feel a sense of curiosity. Dive deeper into the World of Tsuba, Menuki and Kozuka; The fittings of Samurai Swords.
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Ode Part 2 – The Warrior’s Handwriting
This ode reflects on the transformation of the samurai during the Edo period, when peace replaced warfare and the sword remained as symbol rather than necessity.
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Ode Part 3 – The Quiet Opportunity
This ode reflects on the quiet paradox of tosogu: Masterworks from the Edo period, centuries old, signed, and culturally significant, remain accessible outside major institutions.
