* Image is for illustrative purposes only.The Heisei and Reiwa Sword Boom
平成・令和の刀剣ブーム
In the Heisei and Reiwa eras, the Japanese sword experienced an unprecedented rediscovery boom through fusion with popular culture. Games, manga, and anime have created a new generation of enthusiasts, bringing fresh vitality to traditional collector culture—a transformation unfolding in real time.
Description
The Undercurrents of Sword Culture in the Heisei Era
Following Japan's high-growth and bubble-economy periods of the Showa era, the early 1990s saw the Japanese sword market enter a price adjustment phase in the aftermath of the bubble's collapse. However, simultaneously, the activities of the NBTHK (Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords), established after the war, had taken root, and the accumulation of expertise in authentication systems, preservation techniques, and research was beginning to bear fruit in earnest. Museum exhibitions of swords became increasingly enriched, and with NHK and other media broadcasting special features on Japanese swords, ordinary citizens had steadily more opportunities to encounter them.
Moreover, the early-to-mid Heisei period (1990s–2000s) was an era of remarkable advancement in contemporary sword smiths' techniques. Modern smiths who overcame the postwar crisis in technical transmission pursued original expression within the bounds of tradition, and master smiths recognized as Important Intangible Cultural Property holders (Living National Treasures) were produced in succession. The works of master smiths who lived through the Showa and Heisei periods—such as Miyairi Shohei (Nagano), Sumitani Masamine (Ishikawa), and Gassan Sadaichi (Nara)—are now regarded as the pinnacle of modern sword craft.
'Touken Ranbu' and Its Impact on Younger Generations
The most dramatic turning point in the history of sword culture during the Heisei and Reiwa eras was the explosive success of 'Touken Ranbu -ONLINE-', a browser game jointly developed by DMM.com and Nitroplus in 2015. This game, which personified historical famous swords as 'Touken Danshi' (Sword Warriors), achieved unprecedented popularity, particularly among women aged 10–30, and immediately expanded the base of interest in Japanese swords.
The social impact of 'Touken Ranbu' cannot be overstated. Young people who learned the names of famous swords—such as Mikazuki Munechika, Hizamaru, and Tsurumarukuninaga—through the game flocked to museums and art galleries to see the actual blades. The special exhibition of Mikazuki Munechika held by the Tokyo National Museum in 2015 drew lines of visitors so long that it set a record for the highest attendance ever at a sword exhibition. Young female collectors began appearing at sword markets and research meetings, bringing about a dramatic shift in the composition of the sword community, which had previously been centered on middle-aged and older men.
Pop Culture Meets Tradition
Following 'Touken Ranbu', opportunities to see Japanese swords depicted appealingly in anime, manga, films, and games increased, and the international recognition of Japanese swords rose dramatically. 'Demon Slayer' (2016–), disseminated Japanese swords as an important cultural symbol globally and brought interest in Japanese swords to young people in China, Southeast Asia, and the West.
This wave of pop culture was initially viewed with concern by the traditional sword community as 'an increase in novices who lack understanding of authentic blades'. In reality, however, a substantial portion of young people who became interested in Japanese swords through pop culture have gone on to authentic sword appreciation, research, and collecting, definitively contributing to the rejuvenation and expansion of the collector base.
Acceleration of Digitalization and Globalization
With the arrival of the Reiwa era (2019–), and following the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022), the digitalization of sword culture accelerated. Through online museum exhibitions, sword dealers' social media and websites targeting international audiences, and the proliferation of online auctions, an environment is emerging where Japanese swords can be accessed from around the world without physical constraints.
International demand is also steadily expanding. Collectors who seriously study Japanese swords are increasing, particularly among young people in China, Taiwan, the United States, and Europe, and the quality and quantity of sword information in English and Chinese are rapidly improving. Multilingual specialized platforms such as this site (datekatana.jp) function as infrastructure directly supporting this internationalization trend.
The Contemporary Sword Smith's Role
Contemporary sword smiths in the Reiwa era face the challenging task of balancing the transmission of traditional techniques with the exploration of modern expression. While protected as 'Intangible Cultural Property' recognized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, contemporary sword smiths operate under annual production limits (authorized smiths are permitted 24 blades per year) and craft each sword with meticulous care.
An increasing number of sword smiths use social media to share their manufacturing process, and the reality of sword-making has become widely known to society. This transparency and information dissemination have heightened interest and trust in contemporary sword smiths, leading to an increase in modern sword collectors. Sword culture is now entering the largest period of 'democratization' in its history, with diverse enthusiasts transcending gender, age, and nationality entering this world.
Characteristics of This Era
- Anime, games, and manga—led by 'Touken Ranbu' (2015)—dramatically expanded the base of interest in Japanese swords. The entry of younger and female participants has significantly rejuvenated and diversified the composition of the sword community.
- Under the contemporary sword smith (authorized smith) system, traditional techniques continue while receiving national protection. The Living National Treasure and Intangible Cultural Property designation systems publicly recognize the techniques of master smiths and support the training of younger generations.
- Acceleration of digitalization: High-resolution online exhibitions, information dissemination through social media, and the proliferation of online auctions have made it possible to access sword culture beyond physical constraints.
- Full-scale globalization: The increase of overseas collectors, particularly from English- and Chinese-speaking regions, and the emergence of multilingual sword specialty platforms are accelerating market internationalization.
- Enrichment of sword exhibitions in museums and art galleries: Regular sword special exhibitions are held at museums nationwide, including the Tokyo National Museum and Kyoto National Museum, steadily elevating public sword literacy.
- Democratization of collector culture: Collector culture, which was traditionally limited to specific wealthy individuals and specialists, is becoming increasingly accessible to a broader segment through the availability of diverse price points and learning resources.