Culture
Campaign to Save Japanese Sword Culture Gets Support From Political Heavyweights
On June 22 a written request for a budget increase to train Japanese sword artisans was delivered […]
Culture
San’in Travels: Oki-no-Shima and the Exiled Swordsmith Emperor Gotoba
Part 1: Traveling the San’in: Orochi and the Mythical Origins of the Sword Part 2: Japanese Swords: ‘Tatara,’ [&hell
Culture
‘Touken Joshi’: Girls Are Infatuated With Japanese Swords, and It’s Good
Three years ago, Touken Ranbu, an online game with personified legendary sword characters, kindled the Japanese swor
Culture
Japanese Swords: ‘Tatara,’ the Traditional Iron and Steel Culture of the San’in
The traditional dance performance of Iwami Kagura tells the story of the discovery of steelmaking in Izumo, Japan, [
Culture
Oku-izumo’s Annual Sword Steelmaking Begins
The raw material used to make Japanese swords is called tamahagane. On January 24, production of the annual batch [&h
Culture
Priceless Sword Discovered in Ceiling at Kasuga Taisha Restored
An important twelfth-century Japanese sword, discovered hidden in the ceiling during a 1939 refurbishment of the treas
Culture
Traveling the San’in: Orochi and the Mythical Origins of the Sword
I recently took a trip to Shimane Prefecture, also known as the San’in region, to research some of the […]
Culture
As Sign of Goodwill, President Putin Returns Swords to Japan
The sword presented by Russian President Putin to Prime Minister Abe was displayed at the Dai Token Ichi on November [&h
Culture
Sword Fittings of the Mitsumura Collection on Exhibit November 3 to December 17
Matching pair of sword guards Design by Kongosai (Matsuo) Gassan (1815-1875). 19th C. Nezu Museum, formerly Mitsumura Co
Culture
Japanese Swords Fittings Showcase the Beauty of Impermanence
The Japanese are acutely aware of transient nature of all things. The degree to which they actively acknowledge imperm
Culture
The Sword and Its Importance in Japanese Culture
Photo: The Ama-no-Saka-hoko standing at the peak of Mount Takachiho in Miyazaki prefecture, Kyushu These are an excerpts