* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Mori Memorial Akisui Museum
森記念秋水美術館
Overview
Museum Overview
This museum opened in 2016 (Heisei 28) in central Toyama City to showcase the collection of Japanese swords meticulously gathered over decades by Mori Masao (1930–2019), founder of Lead Chemical Corporation. The name "Akisui" derives from the poetic phrase "clear as autumn water"—referring to the pristine luster of a sword blade, like the transparent surface of clear autumn water. Though a relatively new museum dedicated to Japanese swords, it has earned high praise from sword enthusiasts since its opening, distinguished by the exceptional quality of its collection and a thoroughly contemporary exhibition environment.
Swords and Armor
The museum houses approximately 200 Japanese swords, primarily masterpieces spanning the Old Sword to New Sword periods. Its greatest distinction is the systematic assembly of celebrated examples from the Five Great Traditions of Japanese swords—Yamashiro, Yamato, Bizen, Soshu, and Mino traditions. These Five Great Traditions represent the five major schools of swordmaking style and technique; facilities where the characteristics of each tradition can be directly compared through original examples are exceptionally rare throughout Japan. The refined suguha (straight blade) of Yamashiro tradition, the powerful masame (straight-grained) forging of Yamato tradition, the gorgeous choji-midare (clove-bud hamon) of Bizen tradition, the grand nie-laden work of Soshu tradition, and the practical togari-gunome (pointed interlocking hamon) of Mino tradition—experiencing the individuality of each school in one space is a distinctive luxury.
Paintings and Calligraphy
Exhibitions are distinguished by careful, detailed explanations accommodating beginners, with dedicated sections illustrating fundamental sword appreciation points (sugata, jihada, hamon, kissaki, and nakago) through clear diagrams. Whether as an introduction to sword appreciation for newcomers or as a venue for established enthusiasts' study, the exhibition's accessibility across skill levels has been well received by visitors.
Art Collection
The exhibition space is notable for its contemporary design incorporating Toyama glasscraft. As Toyama is celebrated for its vibrant glass arts tradition, Toyama glass artworks are displayed throughout the galleries. The transparent quality of glass resonates beautifully with the luster of steel in Japanese swords, creating a distinctive fusion of traditional aesthetic and modern design that attracts attention from audiences both domestic and international. The building is located in Senkoku-cho in central Toyama City, in close proximity to Toyama Castle Ruins Park.
Conservation and Display
The opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen has dramatically improved access to Toyama—now just 2 hours 7 minutes from Tokyo at the fastest. The region invites visitors to experience Toyama's spectacular Tateyama mountain range, Toyama Bay's celebrated seafood (white shrimp, firefly squid, winter yellowtail), and the internationally renowned Toyama Glass Art Museum (designed by Kengo Kuma). A visit to this museum makes an excellent addition to a rich Hokuriku region journey.
Highlights
- Systematic display of masterpieces from the Five Great Traditions (Yamashiro, Yamato, Bizen, Soshu, and Mino)—a rare facility nationwide where the individual character of each tradition can be studied through original swords. Straight-blade Yamashiro tradition, straight-grained Yamato tradition, clove-bud Bizen tradition, nie-laden Soshu tradition, pointed interlocking Mino tradition
- Collection of approximately 200 Japanese swords—masterpieces spanning the Old Sword through New Sword periods. Premium holdings carefully selected through Mori Masao's discerning eye
- Contemporary exhibition space incorporating Toyama glasscraft—a fusion of traditional aesthetic and modern design where the transparency of glass resonates with the luster of sword steel. Spatial design recognized domestically and internationally
- Exhibition displays ideal for introducing sword appreciation—clear, illustrated explanations of how to view sugata (form), jihada (steel pattern), hamon (blade pattern), kissaki (point), and nakago (tang). Accommodates both beginners and advanced enthusiasts
- Prime location in central Toyama City—near Toyama Castle Ruins Park and ideal for touring cultural sites including the Toyama Glass Art Museum (designed by Kengo Kuma)
* Opening hours and exhibitions are subject to change. Please check the official website before visiting.