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Articles on bushido, mythology, cinema and pop culture — the cultural world surrounding the Japanese sword.
As interest in Japanese sword culture grows among foreign visitors to Japan, inbound-oriented facilities and programs are being developed, including forge tours, iaido experiences, and multilingual support at sword museums. This article organizes the current experience offerings and the challenges of developing them as tourism resources.
Explores the deep connection between Shinto and the Japanese sword, from the sacred regalia to votive blades and the spiritual significance of swords in shrine culture.
Seppuku (切腹) was a ritualistic form of death in which samurai demonstrated their innocence and resolve by cutting open their own abdomen, while kaishaku (介錯)—the act of beheading—served the role of minimizing that suffering. In samurai society, where the nihonto (日本刀) was regarded not merely as a weapon but as a 'mirror of the soul,' this very form of death was deeply intertwined with samurai perceptions of swords and their philosophical views on life and death.
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.
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.
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.
Popular manga and anime series like Demon Slayer and Rurouni Kenshin have introduced millions to Japanese swords, but how accurate are their depictions? This article examines the real sword culture behind the fiction.
Throughout Europe, Asia, and other regions, dojos teaching iaido (居合道), kenjutsu (剣術), and battojutsu (抜刀道) are spreading worldwide. This article examines the current state of overseas Japanese sword practice communities and explores why practitioners seek the shinken (真剣).
The sword scenes depicted by Akira Kurosawa in film left a profound impression on audiences worldwide. This article explores how blades were directed and staged in works such as 'Seven Samurai,' 'Sanjuro,' and 'Swordsman,' and how they relate to actual Japanese sword culture.
From Eiji Yoshikawa to Shotaro Ikenami, explore how Japanese literature has depicted the sword—its spirit, technique, and symbolism in kengō fiction and period dramas.
Dolls' Festival displays and warrior figurines for Boys' Day (May 5th). An explanation of why sword designs appear in this celebration of children's growth and the cultural traditions behind it.
How have swords been handled on the stages of Noh and Kabuki? We decipher the symbolic meaning embedded in celebrated blades that carry the heart of stories, and in the movements and stagecraft involving the sword.
Swords depicted in ukiyo-e prints, particularly in musha-e (武者絵). We explore the world of musha-e created by artists such as Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳) and the image of the sword that woodblock prints spread to the common people.
A guide to Kyoto's major sword-related shrines and temples, covering Awata Shrine, Fujinomori Shrine, Kenkun Shrine, Kitano Tenmangu, Toyokuni Shrine, and Daikakuji.
America, Germany, Taiwan. The current state of Japanese sword collection culture overseas.
Sendai domain smiths, Date clan swords, modern events — introducing TOUKENZA's hometown.
Kenshin ichinyo (the sword and zen as one). Exploring the spirit of zen that breathes in the creation and appreciation of the Japanese sword.
Why did the naginata become established as a samurai woman's weapon? This article historically explains the deep relationship between Japanese women and the naginata, from its practical use in the Sengoku period through samurai etiquette in the Edo period, female school physical education after the Meiji era, to modern naginata martial arts.
Expert explanations of the histories, current locations, and appreciation points of real famous swords that became famous through Touken Ranbu—including Mikazuki Munechika, Tsurumaru Kuninaga, Yamanbagiri Kunihiro, and Shokudaikiri Mitsutada.
From the Sengoku period through the Edo period, the Japanese sword and the Way of Tea (wabi tea) developed in parallel as the two pillars of samurai culture. This essay explores the relationship between Nobunaga and Hideyoshi's "tea politics" and sword collecting, anecdotes about blades exchanged at tea gatherings hosted by Rikyū and military leaders, and the aesthetic resonance between sword smiths and tea utensil craftsmen.
How did Edo-period samurai wear, draw, and handle their swords? The codes of sword etiquette went far beyond practical rules, encoding the spirit and hierarchy of samurai culture. Drawing on historical etiquette manuals and the Laws of Military Households, this article explains the samurai's sword codes.
Honjo Masamune, counted among the Five Swords of the Realm, vanished in the postwar turmoil and remains missing to this day. This article explains the history of this legendary blade, attributed to the renowned Kamakura-era master craftsman Masamune, the circumstances of its disappearance, and the current search efforts.
Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi is Japan's most legendary mythological sword, one of the Three Imperial Treasures. This article explores its mythological origins, its appearance in historical chronicles, its connection to the imperial regalia tradition, and its place at Atsuta Shrine today.
Major institutions from the British Museum to the Musée Guimet hold significant collections of Japanese swords. This article explores how nihonto came to be preserved around the world and the cultural diplomacy role these collections play today.
Women of Sengoku were not mere victims of war. Explore their sword culture — protecting themselves with kaiken and defending castles with naginata — through historical examples.
An overview of contemporary art trends featuring swords as motifs, including installations, fashion, and media art. We explore the aesthetic and philosophical inspiration that samurai culture provides to contemporary artists.
The swords beloved by Masamune Date, the lineage of smiths employed by Sendai Domain. Japanese sword history viewed from Sendai's perspective.
Kondo Isao's Kotetsu, Hijikata Toshizo's Izumi no Kami Kanesada, Okita Soji's Koa Kiyomitsu. The story of Shinsengumi warriors and their swords.
The rising interest in Japanese swords brought about by Touken Ranbu. The emergence of a new fan base called "touken joshi" (sword enthusiast women).
Mikazuki Munechika, Dojigiri Yasutsuna, Onimaru Kunitsuna, Odenta Mitsuyo, Juzumaru Tsunetsugu — the pinnacle of Japanese swords.
The Japanese sword was not merely a weapon. The multifaceted role of the katana as the samurai's soul, a symbol of status, and a work of art.
Etiquette when viewing someone else's sword, procedures for drawing the blade, and manners at appreciation gatherings.
From Kurosawa films to Star Wars. The boundary between truth and creative expression in how Japanese swords are depicted in cinema.
"Japanese swords can cut through anything." "They never break." "Muramasa is a cursed sword." The truth behind myths about Japanese swords.
From Tomoe Gozen to sword enthusiasts. An examination of the relationship between women and the katana throughout Japanese history.
Three difficulty levels — how well do you know Japanese sword terminology?
