New Arrivals — Browse our catalog for the latest authentic Japanese sword arrivals. Browse →
The legendary warriors of Japan and the swords they cherished
Discover the sword culture of Japan's great fortresses
Legendary blades that shaped history
456 entries
Taira no Kiyomori
The First Warrior to Become Grand Minister of State
Taira no Kiyomori was the dominant political figure of late Heian Japan — the first warrior ever to ...
Sanada Masayuki
The Peerless Schemer of Sengoku
Sanada Masayuki (1547–1611) was the greatest military strategist of the Sengoku period, a man who de...
Takenaka Hanbei
Military Strategist of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Famed for Capturing Inabayama Castle
## Life and Origins Takenaka Hanbei (formally Takenaka Shigeharu, 1544–1579) was a warrior of Mino ...
Katakura Shigenaga
Son of Katakura Kojuro, Fierce General of the Osaka Campaigns
Katakura Shigenaga (1584-1659) was the eldest son of Katakura Kojuro (Kagenaga), the celebrated stra...
Tsuruhime
The Female Warrior of Ōshima — Priestess and Commander of the Inland Sea
## Birth of the Sea Priestess Born around Daiei 6 (1526) in Ōmishima in Iyo Province, Tsuruhime grew...
Natori Masazumi
Author of Shōninki — The Martial Theorist Who Synthesized Ninjutsu and Swordsmanship
## The Author of Shōninki Natori Masazumi, said to have been born around 1624 (Kanei era) in Kii pro...
Akamatsu Norimura
Akamatsu Enshin, Cunning Lord of Harima Who Survived the Nanbokucho Wars
Akamatsu Norimura (1277–1350), who took Buddhist vows and adopted the religious name Enshin, was the...
Terazawa Hirotaka
First daimyo of Karatsu Domain, a 120,000-koku collateral daimyo who created the underlying causes of the Shimabara Rebellion
Terazawa Hirotaka (1563–1633) was a warrior who distinguished himself as a magistrate under Toyotomi...
Date Shigenari
Cousin of Date Masamune, Chief of the Date Four Heavenly Kings
Date Shigenari (1568-1646) was a cousin of Date Masamune and the chief of the "Date Four Heavenly Ki...
Baba Nobuharu
One of Takeda's Four Generals, The Invincible Oni Mino
Baba Nobuharu (1515-1575) was one of the "Four Heavenly Kings of Takeda" who served Takeda Shingen, ...
Satomi Yoshizane
Founder of the Awa Satomi Clan — A Bōsō Pioneer Between Legend and History
## Who Was Satomi Yoshizane Satomi Yoshizane was a military figure of the late Muromachi period, tra...
Yagyū Munefuyu
Heir to Yagyū Shinkage-ryū — Swordsmanship Instructor to Shoguns Ietsuna and Tsunayoshi
Yagyū Munefuyu was an Edo-period swordsman and daimyō, the third son of Yagyū Munenori — the first l...