Japanese Sword Museum
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In Tokyo, there’s a place where swords aren’t just weapons—they’re masterpieces. The Japanese Sword Museum celebrates the artistry behind the katana, tachi, and wakizashi. Forget tales of war; here, the blade itself is the story. Visitors glimpse centuries of craftsmanship in shimmering hamon patterns and exquisitely decorated fittings. It’s an opportunity to photograph the cutting edge of Japanese culture.
The museum is small but immaculate. Around fifty blades were displayed when I visited. Art and samurai fans will love it. Everything is high quality.
The swords come from many eras of Japanese history. On my last visit, I saw a 13th-century tachi, the predecessor of the katana. Another time, there were suits of armor. What you see will depend on when you visit. The exhibits change several times over the year.
History isn’t important here. Yes, you can learn who made them and even carried them, in some cases. But the Japanese Sword Museum is not about that. It is about art. Go there to appreciate them.
One of the things I appreciate about the weapons is the hamon. Hamon is a wavy pattern running along the blade. It is created during the hardening process. This is one of the things that make Japanese swords unique and beautiful. It shows the swordsmith’s creativity.
That is only a tiny part of what goes into these swords. You’ll be able to see what makes Japanese swords works of art. Much of it is so intricate. That means looking at tsuba (crossguards), menuki (metal fittings), and more.
A brief history of the Japanese Sword Museum
- After the war, the Occupation administration wanted to disarm Japan. This led to them confiscating swords, even ancient ones. Japanese who were against this created the Society for Preservation of Japan Art Swords in 1948. It built the museum.
- The society saw their swords as a vital part of Japanese culture. They also saw them as pieces of art. Luckily for all of us, they were successful in their efforts.
- The original museum opened in the Yoyogi district of Shinjuku ward in 1978. It closed in 2017. In 2018, it reopened at its current location.
Museum highlights
The museum has a collection of about 190 items, including swords, mountings, and some armor. The national government has designated some items as national treasures, important cultural properties, and important art objects. You might see these things during your visit:
- Katana – an iconic sword. It was developed during the Nanboku-cho period (1336-1392).
- Kodachi – a short sword.
- Tachi – father of the katana. They appeared in the Heian period (794-1185).
- Tanto – a short blade between 15-30 centimeters. It is classed as a sword and often used as a knife.
- Wakizashi – a short sword with a blade between 30 and 60 centimeters. It is often paired with a katana.
Some swords are complete, in their scabbards, and decorated. Others are only the blade and nakago (tang). There is also the paraphernalia that goes with them:
- Tsuba: crossguards.
- Menuki: metal fittings fixed to hilts to prevent hands from slipping.
- Fuchigashira: decorative metal caps attached to the hilt.
- Kozuka: a utility knife that is placed on the scabbard.
- Kogai: a decorative utensil fitted into a slot on the side of the scabbard.
You also learn how the weapons were created. The first floor has an area devoted to this. It also has a video, but that is in Japanese. To take the study deeper I recommend books such as “Art of the Japanese Sword: The Craft of Swordmaking and its Appreciation” on Amazon.
Does the Japanese Sword Museum allow cameras?
It depends. Some swords can’t be photographed, and they’ll be marked so. And unfortunately, photography isn’t allowed in some exhibits. So, contact the museum before you go and ask to avoid disappointment.
Photography tips for the museum
- The lighting is quite good, but you will need high ISO.
- The lighting and glass have been optimized for people, not cameras. You might get a lot of glare when taking pictures. Play with your camera, and move it around to get minimum reflections and bright spots.
- The quality of the glass is very good. But be careful getting absorbed in your photography. You could bump the cabinets with your lens if you don’t pay attention.
- A zoom lens might be useful. I used my Fujifilm 16-55 mm, or these photos and found it rather short. There were times when I wanted to get closer to the swords.
Where is the museum?
Address: 1-12-9 Yokoami, Sumida City, Tokyo
Here it is on a Google map:
Closest train/subway stations:
Ryogoku on the JR Sobu and Toei Subway Oedo Lines.
Opening hours:
9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (with last entry until 4:30 p.m.)
The museum closes when exhibits change. Please consult the official website for those dates.
Admission costs:
1000 yen
Conclusion
Please remember, this museum is not about the samurai. You’ll be disappointed if you go there expecting to learn about them. It is about the swords and their art.
And while some people have said the Japanese Sword Museum is small, the quality of its exhibits is superb. The blades were created by the masters of their times, old and modern. You could say it is the cutting edge of art.
And if you have been to the Japanese Sword Museum, what did you think of it? I’d love to know your opinion. Leave questions and comments below.
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city.
More museum articles:
External related websites:
- Japanese Sword Museum (official website)