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Einblicke in das Wissen über japanische Schwerter und die Kultur
Rai Kunitsugu was a master swordsmith of Yamashiro Province who flourished in the late Kamakura period as the successor to Rai Kuniyuki (来国行), the founder of the Rai school. His elegantly slender tachi blades with graceful curvature, delicate suguha (直刃) hamon with small choji (丁子) features, and finely forged jigane (地鉄) exemplify the refined aesthetic sensibility of the Yamashiro tradition. Many of his works have been designated as National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties, and he is highly regarded as the Rai-school swordsmith who transmitted the greatest number of masterworks bearing his signature.
The Awataguchi school was a group of master swordsmiths based in Kyoto's Awataguchi area during the early Kamakura period. Known for refined jihada and nie-deki, they are considered the fountainhead of the Yamashiro tradition.
Iai-jutsu traces its origins to Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu in the 16th century. This article traces the lineage from Shimmuso Hayashizaki-ryu to modern iaido, and explores how this sword-drawing art has shaped Japanese sword culture.
Hadori is the final and most delicate step in Japanese sword polishing, performed by togishi to bring out the hamon. This article explains the technique, tools, and mastery required in this finishing stage.
A practical guide to Japan's major annual Japanese sword events including fairs, exhibitions, and appraisal meetings. Covers timing, venue types, and tips for collectors and enthusiasts.
Moroha-zukuri refers to Japanese sword blades sharpened on both edges. This article explores its structure, historical context from ancient warabite swords to Kamakura-period examples, and its place in Japanese blade typology.
In the valuation of Japanese swords, the presence or absence of a mei (銘, signature) is one of the important factors. This article explains how individually signed blades and unsigned blades are treated in authentication and market pricing, including examples of celebrated unsigned masterblades.
Explains the lineages of sword makers rooted in Dewa (Yamagata and Akita) and Mutsu (Miyagi, Iwate, Aomori, and Fukushima). Introduces why the Tōhoku region, far from the major production centers of Kyoto, Yamato, and Bizen, cultivated its own swordsmiths' culture, with representative schools, sword makers, and extant examples.
Explores a new cultural sphere in which Japanese swords are consumed within the context of pop culture, including the musical version of Touken Ranbu ('Touken Mus'), cosplay costumes, and fan art on social media. Examines the points of connection and friction with traditional collector culture, and considers the changes brought about by younger generations.
A guide to the procedures and practical steps for donating privately held nihonto (日本刀) to museums, galleries, and shrines. Covers how to select a recipient institution, procedures under the Cultural Properties Protection Law, transfer of registration certificates, and important considerations in donation agreements—information every collector should know.
NHK Taiga dramas reach millions of viewers annually and have significantly influenced public interest in nihonto. This article examines the sword depictions in recent productions and the role historical dramas play in sword culture.
Japanese sword forging was not mere metalworking, but a spiritual act profoundly intertwined with esoteric Buddhism and Shinto ritual. This article explains the actual practices and ideological foundations of smithing rituals: what role prayers before the forge, auspicious objects, and talismans played in the sword-making process.
