A Guide to Real Swords from Touken Ranbu—The History and Appreciation Points of Mikazuki Munechika, Tsurumaru Kuninaga, and Yamanbagiri Kunihiro

"Touken Ranbu" is a browser game co-developed by DMM GAMES and Nitroplus in 2015, featuring personified Japanese swords in the form of characters called "Touken Danshi." This game's explosive success dramatically expanded interest in "real famous swords"—previously the exclusive domain of sword enthusiasts—to younger generations, female audiences, and international fans. This article examines the most notable real swords featured in Touken Ranbu, and from an expert perspective, explains their provenance, current locations, and appreciation points.

Mikazuki Munechika—The Pinnacle of the Five Swords Under Heaven

Mikazuki Munechika is a tachi (long sword) that has been treasured since ancient times as one of the "Five Swords Under Heaven" (Tenka Goken). It is attributed to Sanjō Munechika, a master swordsmith of the Heian period. The sword's name derives from the numerous half-moon-shaped features called "uchinage" visible on the blade, which resemble crescent moons.

In form, it exhibits the Heian style—slender profile, mid-curve (koshizori), and short point—with a blade length of approximately 80 cm. The metal shows fine, densely packed koitame grain, and the blade pattern is primarily composed of thin straight-line temper with uchinage features appearing throughout. It became a treasured heirloom of the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo period and is now a National Treasure housed in the Tokyo National Museum.

In the game, it is affectionately known as "Ojisan Katana" (old man sword), a nickname reflecting its status as one of the oldest famous swords. The actual blade is rarely on permanent display; it is typically shown during special exhibitions and "sword exhibitions." I recommend checking the Tokyo National Museum's display schedule in advance.

Tsurumaru Kuninaga—The Phantom Blade's Return

Tsurumaru Kuninaga is a tachi attributed to Rai Kuninaga, a master swordsmith of the Heian to Kamakura periods, characterized by its bright, white metal and large choji (clove-shaped) temper pattern. With a blade length of approximately 78 cm, its slender and elegant form is said to resemble a crane in flight, hence the name "Tsurumaru" (crane circle).

What makes this blade's history particularly remarkable is that it disappeared during the turmoil following the Meiji Restoration and was long called the "phantom sword." After appearing in Touken Ranbu, as fans' desire to see the real blade grew, the Imperial Household Agency announced in 2019 that it had been in their possession all along. That same year, it was displayed in the special exhibition "Imperial Court Treasures," attracting many fans.

The greatest appreciation points are the "beautiful, bright white metal" and the "lively movement of the choji temper pattern." The Rai school's characteristic closely packed grain and subtle nioi represent an elegant beauty that contrasts sharply with the rougher qualities of the Soshu tradition.

Yamanbagiri Kunihiro—The Tale of Copy and Original

Yamanbagiri Kunihiro is an uchikatana (shorter sword) forged in 1590 by swordsmith Horikawa Kunihiro with a blade length of approximately 70 cm. It was originally created as a "utsushi" (copy) of an older famous sword called "Yamanbagiri" (believed to be from the Rai or Soshu school)—in other words, it was made as an imitation of a celebrated blade.

It has a unique provenance. The original blade is missing and no longer known to exist, making this an ironic case where the copy has become more famous than the original. Its creator, Horikawa Kunihiro, was active during the Sengoku and Azuchi-Momoyama periods, establishing his workshop in Kyoto's Horikawa district as a Keichō-era swordsmith. Kunihiro's work is highly regarded as a "pioneer of Shintō" (new sword tradition).

It is now housed in the Tochigi Prefectural Museum (Utsunomiya City) and has become one of pilgrimage sites for Touken Ranbu fans. The museum maintains a dedicated "sword exhibition room" and regularly displays Yamanbagiri Kunihiro. Key appreciation points include the differences in nioe appearance depending on the blade's orientation, and Kunihiro's distinctive "angled point" temper pattern.

Yamato no Kami Yasusada—The Shinsengumi's Practical Blade

Yamato no Kami Yasusada is an uchikatana forged by a swordsmith of the same name during the early to mid-Edo period. It is known as the favored blade of Hijikata Toshizō, vice-commander of the Shinsengumi, and is a standard-sized uchikatana with a blade length of approximately 70 cm.

Hijikata Toshizō is said to have prioritized practical "cutting ability" and "durability," and Yamato no Kami Yasusada was selected for meeting these demands. Indeed, it is believed to have been used in actual combat during the late Bakumatsu period, including the Ikeda-ya Incident of 1864. Some blades bear documented evidence of battle damage—chips and wear marks near the tsuba (guard)—from actual combat use.

Existing examples are scattered between private collections and museums, and occasionally appear in Tokyo's history museums or Bakumatsu-related special exhibitions. Its appearance in Touken Ranbu elevated its fame as "Hijikata's sword," and sword dealers have reported increased trading prices as a result.

Shokudaikiri Mitsutada—Tales of Loss and Recovery

Shokudaikiri Mitsutada is a tachi created by Osafune Mitsutada of Bizen and is believed to date from the Kamakura period. The name "Shokudaikiri" (candlestick cutter) derives from an anecdote in which a daimyo ancestor cut down a candlestick along with an enemy when punishing a retainer.

The greatest drama surrounding this blade is its "loss and rediscovery." It was thought to have been destroyed or lost during the turmoil following the Meiji Restoration, but in 2017, a tachi returned to Japan from a private collector in Milan was authenticated as likely being Shokudaikiri Mitsutada. It is now housed and being studied by the Tokugawa Art Museum (Nagoya City).

The blade's "discovery" coinciding almost perfectly with its appearance in Touken Ranbu captured the attention of fans, media, and scholars alike. The Tokugawa Art Museum displays it regularly, and when viewing, it's worth noting the "small irregular temper pattern mixed with choji characteristic of Mitsutada's work" and the "flowing wood-grain metal structure."

Practical Guide to Viewing the Real Blades

Here are the key points for actually viewing real swords featured in Touken Ranbu.

Permanent vs. Special Exhibitions

National Treasure and Important Cultural Property-class swords are rarely on permanent display to prevent deterioration from light and humidity exposure. It is crucial to follow the "sword" and "sword exhibition" tags on the websites of institutions such as the Tokyo National Museum, Tokugawa Art Museum, and Tochigi Prefectural Museum, and to regularly check their public display schedules.

What to Observe

When appreciating swords, four elements deserve particular attention: the "texture of the metal," the "shape and movement of the temper pattern," the "state of nioe and nioi within the pattern," and the "shape of the point." Since appearance changes significantly depending on the display case angle and lighting direction, I recommend observing from multiple angles.

Using Exhibition Catalogues and Authentication Documents

Special exhibition catalogues often include high-resolution black-and-white photographs (takuhon/impression rubbings) that are extremely useful for examining details. The archives of "Touken Bijutsu" magazine, published by the NBTHK (Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords), also contain detailed research articles on major famous swords.

Conclusion—The Door to "Real Swords" That the Game Opened

Touken Ranbu has become a gateway where affection for game characters deepens into respect for real famous swords. This is a watershed moment in the history of Japanese sword culture. The emotional impact of seeing in a museum a blade you came to know through the game—the experience of "here is the real thing"—fosters a deeper understanding of sword culture than any textbook explanation could provide.

By understanding each blade's provenance, forging techniques, and current location, museum viewing transforms from mere "observation" into "dialogue." Starting from swords you learned about through Touken Ranbu, I encourage you to seek out encounters with the real blades.