Samurai Museum

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Samurai Museum *現在臨時休館中(オンラインショップのみ営業中）
Samuraiの日本の歴史において果たした役割、またその精神を日本人のみならず多くの外国人旅行者の皆様に分かりやすく伝えていくことを目指しています。
(1429)

*Our Physical Museum is temporarily being closed while we open our online shop everyday. FEEL THE REAL SAMURAI SPIRIT！

From ancient times, the Emperor and the nobility ruled Japan, but the time of samurai arrived after battles of Genji (the Minamoto family) and Heishi (the Taira family) in the end of Heian era. After that, samurai-centered Japanese society had been developed its own history about 700 years (from Kamakura to Edo era). In that 700 years of samurai age, Japan had been faced crisis such as, the Mongolian invasions of Japan, Spanish Armada, the arrival of the Black Ships (Perry’s fleet) and the Age of Discovery led by Portugal which meant Europeans notably the Portuguese and the Spanish became a threat for East Asian Countries. We introduce those brave samurai warriors and their spirit confronted the difficulties to not only Japanese people but also all people visiting from foreign countries. Their belief, “Reputation grudged” shows that samurai is not a simple soldier; they highly valued honor above life. The beauty of samurai spirit is shown in Japanese swords and their costumes. We are very happy if you can see what samurai spirit is and feel their spirits still living in today’s Japanese people.

▪️Yamato no Kami YoshimichiThis blade was signed by Yamato no Kami Yoshimichi (大和守吉道), whose real name was Mishina Uemon...
16/09/2026

▪️Yamato no Kami Yoshimichi

This blade was signed by Yamato no Kami Yoshimichi (大和守吉道), whose real name was Mishina Uemon (三品宇右衛門). He was active in sword-forging during the early Edo period (1652-1675) in Osaka. He was the second son of the first-gen Osaka Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi (大阪丹波守吉道). Yamato no Kami Yoshimichi belonged to Osaka Mishina school, so as his father.

Osaka Mishina School ＆His father
Mishina school’s founder Kanemichi (兼道) was originally from Mino province, exclusively forging blades for Shingen Takeda, a famous feudal lord. Later on, he moved to Kyoto by bringing his four sons and founded his school named Mishina (三品) in Kyoto. Mishina school was one of the most prospered ones during the early Edo period.
One of Kanemichi’s sons was Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi, the father of the first-gen Osaka Tanbo no Kami Yoshimichi. They were also known as very famous swordsmiths.
Osaka Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi initially forged swords under his father’s school in Kyoto but moved to Osaka and founded Osaka Mishina school. Yamato no Kami Yoshimichi was his son and dedicated his career to gaining the fame of Osaka Mishina school with his father in Osaka during the early Edo period. And we assume this Wakizashi was originally made for a high-ranked Samurai officer.

Yamato no Kami Yoshimichi
There are quite a few types of tempering lines (Hamon) in Japanese swords. And one of the most popular designs is Choji Midare (Irregular wavy tempering line). Yamato no Kami Yoshimichi was very good at forging blades with this particular tempering line and known as a master of Choji Midare in the Osaka area. His workmanship was widely recognized, and he received the honorable title of Yamato no Kami by the emperor for his excellent craftsmanship.

The blades forged by Yamato no Kami Yoshimichi are categorized as Osaka Shinto. Shinto is Japanese Sword terminology that refers to the swords forged during 1596-1781. The blades made in the Osaka area during this period are called Osaka Shinto. There are many famous swordsmiths in this Osaka Shinto era. After Hideyoshi Toyotomi built Osaka castle, Osaka city flourished as a castle town and became the business center. Many swordsmiths moved to Osaka to look for better opportunities. They not only forged swords for those Samurai who lived in Osaka but also for feudal lords nationwide.

More information
https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/shop/product/antique-japanese-sword-wakizashi-signed-by-yamato-no-kami-yoshimichinbthk-tokubetsu-hozon-certificate-3/

▪️Wakizashi Signed by Hizen Harima Daijo TadakuniThis blade was signed by Hizen Jyu Harima Daijyo Fujiwara Tadakuni (肥前住...
15/09/2026

▪️Wakizashi Signed by Hizen Harima Daijo Tadakuni

This blade was signed by Hizen Jyu Harima Daijyo Fujiwara Tadakuni (肥前住播磨大掾藤原忠国). The maker’s name Tadakuni lasted three generations, and the first generation forged it, judging from the signature. The first-gen Tadakuni was the second son of Hirosada, an apprentice of the first-gen Tadayoshi, one of the most famous swordsmiths during the early Edo period. His older brother was Kunihiro (国広). Tadakuni, Hirosada (his father), and Kunihiro (his older brother) were all students of the first-gen Tadayoshi.

The first-gen Tadakuni was born in the 9th year of the Keicho era (1604). His birth name was Hashimoto Rokuro Zaemon (橋本六郎左衛門). He was especially active in sword-forging during the Keian-Manji era (1648-1661: Early Edo Period).

Tadakuni originally signed Hironori (広則) when he started his career. Then, he changed it to Tadakuni when he received an official Harima Daijyo (播磨大掾) rank in the 11th year of the Kanei era (1634) when he was 31 years old. Later on, he was promoted to Harima no Kami (播磨守). The emperor gave the title of Daijyo and Kami to those who were excellent at sword-forging.

During the Shohou era (1644-1648), he started to serve Ogi clan, a branch of Nabeshima clan, which was the headquarters of the Saga domain during the Edo period. The head of the Ogi clan was Nabeshima Motoshige, the son of Nabeshima Katsushige, the feudal lord of Saga domain. It is said that Motoshige was also a master of various sorts of martial arts, including swordsmanship. We assume there was much demand among high-class Samurai to order swords forged by Tadakuni because this clan actively pursued martial arts.

He kept forging swords for the Ogi clan for more than 40 years, and he retired and passed his title and school to his son around 1676-1677. There was a record of him forging a blade in collaboration with his son after he officially retired. He died at the age of 88 in the 4th year of the Genroku era (1691).

More information
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▪️Katana attributed to TadakuniThis blade is attributed to Shinano Daijō Tadakuni (信濃大掾忠国), a renowned swordsmith in Tot...
15/09/2026

▪️Katana attributed to Tadakuni

This blade is attributed to Shinano Daijō Tadakuni (信濃大掾忠国), a renowned swordsmith in Tottori province. The swordsmith’s name Tadakuni lasted seventh generations until late Edo period (about 150 years ago).

The first-gen Tadakuni first signed Kunikatsu (国勝) and then changed it to Tokikuni (刻国). And he eventually used Tadakuni (忠国) as his maker’s name.

Also, Tadakuni was an apprentice of Dewa Daijyō Kunimichi (出羽大掾国路), whose master was Horikawa Kunihiro, one of the most famous swordsmiths in the early Edo period. Tadakuni originally forged swords in the Kyoto area (Yamashiro province), learning highly refined sword-forging techniques from his master. He moved to the Inaba domain in Tottori prefecture in the 1st year of the Kanei era (1624: Early Edo period) to serve the Ikeda clan as an Okakaekaji exclusively. Okakaekaji is a swordsmith who exclusively forged swords for a specific domain or clan. It is said that this was when he changed his maker’s name from Tokikuni to Tadakuni.

More information
https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/shop/product/antique-japanese-sword-katana-attributed-to-shinano-daijo-tadakuni-nbthk-tokubetsu-kicho-certificate/

▪️Tanto signed by Hyōshinshi HideyoHello, world! Thank you for checking our daily post. Today, we would like to introduc...
13/09/2026

▪️Tanto signed by Hyōshinshi Hideyo

Hello, world! Thank you for checking our daily post. Today, we would like to introduce another refined Tanto.

This blade was signed by Hyōshinshi Hideyo Nyūdō (氷心子秀世入道) and is dated to the 7th year of the Kaei era (1854). The Kaei era (1848–1854) corresponds to the final years of Hideyo’s career, making this a work from the latter part of his life.

Hyōshinshi Hideyo was a distinguished Shinshintō swordsmith active during the late Edo period. He was one of the most accomplished disciples of Suishinshi Masahide (水心子正秀), the renowned master regarded as the founder of the Shinshintō movement, which sought to revive the techniques and spirit of earlier Japanese sword-making traditions. Hideyo’s birth name was Tamura Gunpei (also recorded as Yoshida Hidekazu in some sources). He initially studied sword forging under Ishidō Unjū Korekazu, the seventh-generation master of the Ishidō school. Later, he became a disciple of Suishinshi Masahide, whose talent greatly impressed his master. As a result, Hideyo married Masahide’s daughter and became his son-in-law.

Hideyo served the Sakakibara clan of Takada Domain in Echigo Province and forged swords in several locations within Edo, including Azabu Imasato and Honjo Warigesui. He adopted the art name Hyōshinshi and established a reputation as one of the most skilled swordsmiths of his generation. During the final years of Masahide’s career, Hideyo was entrusted with numerous examples of daisaku (代作)—a practice in which a trusted disciple forged a blade or signed it on behalf of his master with the master’s approval. Being entrusted with such work was a mark of exceptional skill and demonstrated the high level of confidence Masahide placed in Hideyo’s craftsmanship.

More information
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▪️Art of Nihonto Samurai’s history is a profound, eloquent legacy of ancient Japanese warriors in which millions of peop...
12/09/2026

▪️Art of Nihonto

Samurai’s history is a profound, eloquent legacy of ancient Japanese warriors in which millions of people worldwide are being fascinated. Samurais themselves played the most significant role in this thing- They went from the imperial army to reconstructing the whole system and reigning Samurai’s country for over seven centuries. Thus, one of their primary weapons, Katana (Japanese sword), began to have many important meanings attached as times went on. Katana is still deemed one of Samurai’s most significant cultural heritage in today’s Japanese culture.

The Japanese sword is the kind of art that has grown over history. Swordsmiths over the years would make minimal changes to the blade’s curvature, the Hamon, length, width, and all the other detailed features to please the sword’s owner and let the sword hold its own identity. That is why Katana has become so beautiful. In every part of the blade, you see the swordsmith’s intent and Samurai’s love and aspiration for Katana.

Above brings us to the next part; the detail. It gets more important as you learn more about Katana. The blade’s significant features such as Hamon, the size, type of curvature, other segments such as the handguard, the grip, the scabbard, and the list goes on and on. One can only build a gem-worthy Katana when all these segments are put together deliberately. To see the monument of tremendous work by the swordsmith – It is legitimately an eye-opening experience every time you learn something from it.

To read this article more
https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/shop/the-art-of-katana-guide-to-collecting-japanese-swords/

List of the antique Japanese swords
https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/shop/product-category/sword/authentic-sword/

▪️Katana Signed by YoshihideThis blade was signed by Enryushi Fujiwara Yoshihide (円龍子藤原義秀) and dated to Keio 3 (1867), n...
12/09/2026

▪️Katana Signed by Yoshihide

This blade was signed by Enryushi Fujiwara Yoshihide (円龍子藤原義秀) and dated to Keio 3 (1867), near the end of the Edo period. Based on the inscription of the tang, it was ordered by

Yoshihide was the son of Suifu Nagashima Yoshikatsu, a swordsmith who studied under Katsumura Tokukatsu, and the grandson of the renowned master Nakayama Ikkansai Yoshihiro (中山一貫斎義弘). Originally from Kōzuke Province (present-day Gunma Prefecture), Yoshihide became a disciple of Enryushi Kunihide (円龍子国秀), one of the prominent swordsmiths of the late Edo period.

Throughout his career, Yoshihide used several signatures, including Bushū Gennai-jū Tachibana Yoshihide, Bushū Gennai-jū Tachibana Enryushi Yoshihide, Fujiwara Yoshihide at Shirakawa in Ōshū, and simply Yoshihide. Surviving dated works are known from around Bunkyū 3 (1863) through Keiō 2 (1866), making this blade a work from the final years of his career.

His teacher, Enryushi Kunihide, was a highly respected swordsmith who served the Itakura clan of the Annaka Domain as an okakae kaji—a swordsmith retained exclusively by a feudal domain. Such appointments were reserved only for craftsmen of exceptional skill and reputation. Historical records also suggest that Sakamoto Ryōma, one of the most influential figures of the Bakumatsu period, commissioned a sword from Kunihide.

As a member of this distinguished lineage descending from Nakayama Ikkansai Yoshihiro and Enryushi Kunihide, Yoshihide inherited a tradition of sword-making that was highly regarded during the closing years of the samurai era.

More information
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▪️Japanese sword signed by Hisakatsu This blade was signed Nōshū Sōdōjima Sugawara no Jō Hisakatsu (濃州草道嶋菅原尉久勝). The ins...
11/09/2026

▪️Japanese sword signed by Hisakatsu

This blade was signed Nōshū Sōdōjima Sugawara no Jō Hisakatsu (濃州草道嶋菅原尉久勝). The inscription indicates that it was forged in Sōdōjima, a village in Anpachi District, Mino Province (present-day Kusadōjima-chō, Ōgaki City, Gifu Prefecture), and is dated to 1513 (Eishō 10), during the late Muromachi period.

Hisakatsu was a swordsmith active from the Meiō era (1492–1501) through the Eishō era (1504–1521). He belonged to the Akasaka Senjuin School, a branch of the Yamato tradition that flourished in Akasaka, Mino Province (present-day Akasaka-chō, Ōgaki City, Gifu Prefecture). Although he worked in Mino, his swords retain many of the distinctive characteristics of the Yamato tradition, making his work notable for combining Mino craftsmanship with the refined style of one of Japan’s oldest swordmaking traditions.

More information
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▪️Yamato no Kami YoshimichiThis blade was signed by Yamato no Kami Yoshimichi (大和守吉道), whose real name was Mishina Uemon...
10/09/2026

▪️Yamato no Kami Yoshimichi

This blade was signed by Yamato no Kami Yoshimichi (大和守吉道), whose real name was Mishina Uemon (三品宇右衛門). He was active in sword-forging during the early Edo period (1652-1675) in Osaka. He was the second son of the first-gen Osaka Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi (大阪丹波守吉道). Yamato no Kami Yoshimichi belonged to Osaka Mishina school, so as his father.

Mishina school’s founder Kanemichi (兼道) was originally from Mino province, exclusively forging blades for Shingen Takeda, a famous feudal lord. Later on, he moved to Kyoto by bringing his four sons and founded his school named Mishina (三品) in Kyoto. Mishina school was one of the most prospered ones during the early Edo period.
One of Kanemichi’s sons was Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi, the father of the first-gen Osaka Tanbo no Kami Yoshimichi. They were also known as very famous swordsmiths.
Osaka Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi initially forged swords under his father’s school in Kyoto but moved to Osaka and founded Osaka Mishina school. Yamato no Kami Yoshimichi was his son and dedicated his career to gaining the fame of Osaka Mishina school with his father in Osaka during the early Edo period.

More information
https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/shop/product/antique-japanese-sword-wakizashi-signed-by-yamato-no-kami-yoshimichinbthk-tokubetsu-hozon-certificate/

▪️Katana Signed by Ichizo Kunishige This blade was signed by Bitchu Koku Mizuta Ju Kunishige (備中国水田住国重) during the Shoho...
10/09/2026

▪️Katana Signed by Ichizo Kunishige

This blade was signed by Bitchu Koku Mizuta Ju Kunishige (備中国水田住国重) during the Shoho era (1644-1648: Early Edo period), according to this NTHK’s appraisal. Bitchu Koku is the name of the province located in today’s Okayama prefecture and it means Kunishige resided in this area when he forged this blade.

The real name of Kunishige is Ichizo (市蔵), and he was also known as Yamashiro Daijyo Minamoto Kunishige (山城大掾源国重). He was most active in sword-forging during the early Edo period (the mid 17th century). Yamashiro Daijyo is the honorable title given to this swordsmith in the second year of the Shoho era (1646). He was the younger brother of Otsuki Yogoro Kunishige (third-gen Kunishige), the most highly-regarded swordsmith in Mizuta school, located in Bitchu province (today’s Okayama prefecture). He also forged swords in Edo city with his son, the second-gen Yamashiro Daijyo Kunishige.

The Mizuta school is believed to have been founded in Bitchū Province during the late Muromachi period, around the 16th century, by swordsmiths who traced their lineage to Ko-Aoe Tametsugu (古青江為次). Tametsugu was one of the most highly regarded smiths of the Ko-Aoe tradition and was active from the late Heian to the early Kamakura period (late 12th–early 13th century). One of his surviving works is designated a National Treasure of Japan.

More information
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▪️Katana attributed to Enju with Tokubetsu HozonThis blade is attributed to Enju/Enjyu (延寿) is the prestigious school’s ...
09/09/2026

▪️Katana attributed to Enju with Tokubetsu Hozon

This blade is attributed to Enju/Enjyu (延寿) is the prestigious school’s name that flourished during the late Kamakura period-Nanbokucho period (Late 13th-Early 14th century) in Higo province (today’s Kumamoto prefecture). Enju school was founded by Kunimura (国村), who is said to have been the grandson of Rai Kuniyuki from Yamashiro province (today’s Kyoto prefecture).

Kunimura and his apprentices moved from Yamashiro province to Higo province (today’s Kumamoto prefecture in Kyushu island) after being invited by the Kikuchi clan, who had an influential power in that region. It is said that the 10th head of the Kikuchi clan, Kikuchi Takefusa (菊池武房), had to find skilled swordsmiths who could forge strong swords to combat the Mongolian army. Back then, Japan was targeted by the Mongolian emperor, and Kyushu island is where the battle was taking place twice (1274 and 1281). To prepare for the second attack from the Mongols, Kikuchi Takefusa brought Kunimura and his apprentices from Kyoto. Since then, Kunimura and his sons served as Okakaekaji for this clan, exclusively forging swords for the Kikuchi clan, which ruled the Higo province back then.

All the swordsmiths from Enju school used the letter “国” (Kuni) for their maker’s name. The descendant of this school founded the famous sword school named Dotanuki (同田貫). And there are descendants of the Enjyu school’s swordsmiths throughout the Edo period. That means Enju school had over 500 years of its history.

More information
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住所

歌舞伎町2-25/6
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
160-0021

営業時間

月曜日 10:30 - 21:00
火曜日 10:30 - 21:00
水曜日 10:30 - 21:00
木曜日 10:30 - 21:00
金曜日 10:30 - 21:00
土曜日 10:30 - 21:00
日曜日 10:30 - 21:00

電話番号

03-6457-6411

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