* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Special Feature: Swords That Bind — Appreciating National Treasure and Important Cultural Property Swords (Kyoto National Museum, 2026)
特集展示「縁を結ぶかたな―国宝・重要文化財で学ぶ刀剣鑑賞―」
A sword-focused special feature exhibition held by the Kyoto National Museum from 4 February to 22 March 2026 at the Heisei Chishinkan wing, presenting around thirty National Treasure and Important Cultural Property swords — tachi, tanto, straight blades and naginata — organised around four themes: form, signature, temper pattern, and blade carving.
Description
Overview
The Kyoto National Museum is holding the special feature exhibition "Swords That Bind — Appreciating National Treasure and Important Cultural Property Swords" from 4 February to 22 March 2026 in Rooms 4 and 5 on the first floor of the Heisei Chishinkan wing. Strongly educational in character, the exhibition systematically presents the key points for appreciating Japanese swords. Around thirty fine works of National Treasure and Important Cultural Property quality have been selected from the swords collection the museum owns or holds on deposit.
Exhibition Structure and Viewpoints
The exhibition arranges its works along four viewpoints that form the foundation of sword appreciation: "form (shape)," "signature (mei)," "temper line (hamon)," and "blade carving." Under "form," the exhibition explains differences in shape such as length, curvature (sori), point (kissaki) and tang (nakago) form, which vary by period. Under "signature," it shows how to read the place and date of manufacture from the signature the swordsmith carved on the tang. Under "temper line," it explains the sculptural beauty of the boundary between the edge and the body (ji) of the blade, formed through hardening. Under "blade carving," it explains the meaning of designs carved into the blade, such as those made with devotional intent or to reduce weight. Each theme is explained through actual National Treasure and Important Cultural Property swords.
Works on Display
The works on display include, in addition to National Treasure tachi and ken swords, straight swords (chokutō) and naginata (curved blades on long shafts) designated as Important Cultural Properties. Straight swords are a sword form without curvature, used in and before the middle of the Heian period. Naginata are curved blades mounted on long shafts. Together they allow visitors to trace the evolution of the Japanese sword from ancient times through the medieval period. Surviving examples of straight swords are rare, and they are highly valued as materials showing the stage before the curved "tachi" form established from the Heian period onward.
Position
The Kyoto National Museum is one of Japan's leading institutions with an important collection of swords and sword fittings. This exhibition provides an opportunity to show the museum's sword materials together with a systematic method of appreciation. By offering guidance to sword beginners on "what to look for," the structure opens a door to sword culture not only for dedicated sword enthusiasts but also for general visitors.
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This page is intended to introduce Japanese sword culture and is not affiliated with any of the works mentioned.