Sakitama Historic Site Museum

The Sakitama Historic Site Museum is a museum built beside the Sakitama Kofun Cluster, an important archaeological site of the Kofun period. As the facility that houses and displays the Kinsakumei Tekken (iron sword with gold-inlaid inscription), an important discovery in ancient history, it draws strong attention from sword enthusiasts and historical researchers.

The museum's greatest treasure is the Kinsakumei Tekken, designated a National Treasure. This iron sword was excavated in 1968 during investigations of Inariyama Kofun (late 5th century). It measures 73.5 cm in total length and bears a gold-inlaid inscription of 115 characters on both faces. As a 5th-century inscription that names Wakatakeru no Ōkimi (Emperor Yūryaku), it played a decisive role in clarifying the Kofun period, for which written sources are scarce.

Inariyama Kofun and the other tumuli of the Sakitama Kofun Cluster were built from the late 5th to the mid-7th century by powerful clans of the Kantō region (said to be a branch of the Musashi no Kuni no Miyatsuko). The museum stands within the historic park of the tumulus cluster and permanently displays a large number of archaeological artifacts excavated here, including weapons, horse gear and personal ornaments. Among them, the weapons of the Kofun period are highly valued as indispensable material for learning the origins of sword culture.

Walking through the lush historic park, visitors can encounter some of Japan's oldest written records and the origins of the Japanese sword. It is one of the most important sacred sites for swords and ancient history in the Kantō region.