Yonago Castle

Connection to Swords

When discussing the relationship between Yonago Castle and swords, one cannot overlook the abundant iron sand resources of the Izumo, Ishimi, and Hōki regions. This region was known as the "Land of Iron" due to its rich deposits of high-quality iron sand, and was a major center of production of superior tamahagane (sword steel) through tatara smelting, the ancient ironworking method that reduced iron sand using charcoal. The tamahagane that flowed through Yonago as a distribution hub was supplied to swordsmiths throughout the nation, serving as a vital source of material for Japanese swords. In particular, Izumo's Yasugi Steel is known even today as specialty steel of world-class quality, demonstrating Izumo's traditional superiority as a material for Japanese swords. Records remain of Hōki Province swordsmiths establishing workshops in Yonago Castle town, and Hōki-tradition swords made with locally-produced tamahagane were known from the Muromachi period onward. Hōki Yasatsuna was a renowned master swordsmith of Hōki Province who flourished in the late Heian period and forged the "Dōjigiri Yasatsuna," also transmitted as having been presented to Minamoto no Raikō. Dōjigiri Yasatsuna is counted as one of the Five Greatest Swords of Japan, a masterpiece of the highest rank, and is currently housed as a National Treasure in the Tokyo National Museum. The works of Hōki Yasatsuna are positioned by sword researchers as the pinnacle of ancient swords, possessing bold, magnificent form and mysterious working, making them among the most important ancient blades. In Hōki Province, the iron sand land that nurtured this great swordsmith, Yonago Castle functioned as the center of sword-forging culture in its castle town. In Edo-period Yonago, swordsmiths known as the "Hōki smiths" were active, producing distinctive blades that fused the iron of Izumo with the techniques of the San'in region. The Yonago Municipal San'in History Museum displays swords and armor related to the Yonago domain, and serves as an essential facility for exploring Hōki's sword culture as the homeland of the National Treasure Dōjigiri Yasatsuna.