Not Violence, but It's Art. - Bizen Osafune Sword Museum -
In order to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, reservations for admission are required after September 10, 2020.
In the old days, Bizen Osafune, in which the Bizen Osafune Sword Museum is located, thrived as the critical foothold of trade of high-quality iron sand. It was blessed with facilities for water transportation by the Yoshii River traveling down from the Chugoku Mountains, which had large deposits of iron sand and other minerals. The region, including Bizen Osafune and Bizen Fukuoka, its neighboring area, were famous for its Japanese swords from the early period of samurai government, named the Kamakura Period. It prospered as the best commercial place for forging swords in Japan because it was superior to other production areas in both quantity and quality.
Its swords, so-called Bizen-to, occupies over 40 percent of the weapon registered as National Treasures and National Important Cultural Properties of Japan. Mitsutada, who was active in the 13th century, was the actual founder of Bizen Osafune school, which had remained prestigious throughout the medieval age. Nobunaga Oda, a famous Japanese military commander who appeared around the middle of the 16th century of the period of warring states, was a serious devotee of his swords.
The craftsmen of the workshop show their skills and techniques in Japanese swords passed down through the generations. On the second Sunday of each month, a traditional swordsmithing demonstration is performed twice a day. Reservation is required. Other handicrafters, including a polisher and Sheath craftspersons, display their skills on Sundays and holidays. Handicrafts workers such as swordsmiths, a lacquerer, and a sword engraver, who reside in the workshop, show their skills every business day.
Japanese Sword First Forging Ceremony takes place in early January. The Shinto ritual is held to pray for improvement in the swordsmith skills and their safety on duty.
Nearby is Osafune Token (Sword) Gallery, which displays and sells the swords made by active swordsmiths.
Getting here: 7 min. by taxi from Osafune Station or 20 min. on foot from Kagato Station on JR Ako Line, Bizen Osafune Token Taxi offers a shuttle service between Osafune Station and Bizen Osafune Sword Museum to visitors with reservations to the museum from April 2, 2022, through July 31, 2022, providing an inclusive plan covering a taxi fare and admission fees.
Bicycle for rent available at a newspaper agency in front of Bizen-Osafune Station
Click here to jump to the sightseeing map at the bottom of the page.
Closed: Monday (the following day if it is a national holiday), December 28 to January 4 and the replacement periods of exhibits
Admission: 500 yen for adults / 300 yen for high school & university students / Free for junior high school students and younger / Free on May 18 (International Museum Day) / Discount available for seniors (65 & over) with an ID
Group discount available for a group of 20 people & above.
Free Wi-Fi service available in Osafune Token Gallery.