Overview

Seki and Japanese Swords

A specialized facility preserving the tradition of sword forging to the present day, located in Seki—the heartland of the Mino tradition—which boasts a history of over 700 years of swordsmithing. Seki's tradition began in Kanki 1 (1229) during the Kamakura period, when a swordsmith named Motoshige, who had migrated from Hōki Province, commenced forging. By the Muromachi period, the city had produced numerous master smiths who left their mark on Japanese sword history, including Magoroku Kanemoto, celebrated as "Seki's Magoroku," and Izumi-no-Kami Kanesada, known as the beloved sword of Hijikata Toshizō of the Shinsengumi. At its peak, the city was home to over 300 swordsmiths, producing large quantities of practical combat blades to meet the demands of Sengoku daimyō. The Seki sword—prized for never breaking, never bending, and cutting exceptionally well—earned unwavering trust among samurai.

Transmission of Sword Craftsmanship

The museum's exhibitions comprehensively present the history and techniques of Seki forging traditions. On the first floor, visitors can trace the lineage of Seki swordsmithing from the old-sword (kotō) period through the present day, centered on masterworks of the Mino tradition including Kanemoto and Kanesada. The distinctive pointed-interlocking-comb hada pattern characteristic of the Mino tradition, along with practical construction methods, can be studied through original examples. The second floor explains the sword-forging process through video materials and panels, allowing visitors to understand the full sequence from the refining of tamahagane through the quenching process.

Special Exhibitions

The "Hamono Matsuri" (Tool Festival), held annually in October, is Seki's largest event, featuring spectacular demonstrations of traditional Japanese sword forging. The sight of white-clad smiths forging tamahagane before a shrine conveys how sword-forging was once a sacred rite. During the festival, large-scale tool markets and numerous sword-related events are held, attracting tool and sword enthusiasts from across Japan.

Cultural Outreach

Today, swordsmiths continue their work in Seki, with Japanese sword-making traditions being passed down unbroken. Seki is now known worldwide as one of the "Three Great Blade-Making Regions"—alongside Solingen, Germany and Sheffield, England—and remains a rare city where tradition and innovation coexist.