* Image is for illustrative purposes only.The Hidden Blade
隠し剣 鬼の爪
A period drama film by Yoji Yamada exploring the inner conflict of a lower-ranking samurai and the essence of swordsmanship.
Description
A period film directed by Yōji Yamada and released in 2004. It depicts the anguish of Munezō Katagiri, a low-ranking samurai serving a small domain in the Tōhoku region, who is ordered to hunt down a close friend with whom he studied swordsmanship under the same master. At the heart of the story lies the secret sword technique “Oni no Tsume” (Demon's Claw), passed down by the master, and the sword itself is elevated as a symbol of the samurai's pride and sorrow. A masterpiece that expresses both the beauty and the terror of the Japanese sword through serene, refined visual beauty, a must-see for anyone who admires swords.
See authentic Japanese swords
See authentic Japanese swordsRelated Content
Seven Samurai
Film七人の侍
Akira Kurosawa's 1954 enduring masterpiece, one of the most influential works in the history of world cinema. Set in the late Sengoku period, its story of seven masterless samurai gathered to protect a village from bandits vividly depicts the social role of the samurai and the practical side of the sword. It is a monumental work that made Japanese swordcraft known to the world, and it influenced countless films, including The Magnificent Seven, Star Wars, and Mad Max.
Nioh 2
Video Game仁王2
A Sengoku-period action RPG released in 2020, developed by Team Ninja and published by Koei Tecmo Games. As a prequel to the earlier "Nioh," it stars a half-yokai protagonist with yokai blood, who crosses swords with demons while encountering real Sengoku-period warlords.
Lupin III (Goemon Ishikawa & Zantetsuken)
Anime & Mangaルパン三世（石川五ェ門・斬鉄剣）
A franchise created by Monkey Punch in 1967 that has spread worldwide as a long-running anime series. The Zantetsuken sword carried by Goemon Ishikawa XIII—capable of cutting through anything—became an iconic symbol of Japanese swords in pop culture. Ranked 3rd in a 2025 anime sword popularity poll.
Nobunaga's Ambition
Game信長の野望
A historical simulation game series developed and sold by Koei Tecmo Games since 1983. It is a national-favorite series in which players control Sengoku daimyo, including Oda Nobunaga, in pursuit of unifying the country. Depending on the title, famous swords also appear as items, making it a historical game series that touches on the bond between Japanese swords and warlords.
This page is intended to introduce Japanese sword culture and is not affiliated with any of the works mentioned.