Japanese Sword Museum


The Japanese Sword Museum or Tōken hakubutsukan situated in Tokyo, is a small museum dedicated to the art of Japanese swordmaking. It preserves and displays swords. It is operated by Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai. The association's office is located inside the museum building.

Overview

It is one of the few museums in Japan that specializes in Japanese swords. Works donated by sword enthusiasts are entrusted with storage and management. The old Japanese Sword Museum, located in Yoyogi 4-chome, Shibuya-ku, closed at the end of March 2017, and the new Japanese Sword Museum opened in January 2018.
The museum is run by The Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords.

Collection

The museum has a collection of about 190 items, including swords, tosogu, yoroi as well as documents of metal working and metalwork materials. Some of the swords have been designated and certified by the national government as national treasures, important cultural properties, and important art objects. There is a property, and works of each age and school are stored, centering on old masterpieces of the Heian, Kamakura, and northern and southern clans.

Timeline

  • 1948
  • * February 24-The Japan Art Swords Preservation Association is established with the permission of the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to preserve and inherit the Japanese swords that were in a state of destruction due to the confiscation by the troops stationed after the war.
  • * September—Started a certification system for swords, etc. to preserve swords.
  • January 1955-The 1st sword technology presentation.
  • June 1958 --Establish an important designation system for swords, etc.
  • May 25, 1968-The Japanese Sword Museum opens.
1977
  • * May- Certified Tamahagane manufacturing selection / preservation technology selection, Yuzo Abe, and Koji Hisamura.
  • * November- Reconstruction of the Japanese sword in Yokota Town, Shimane Prefecture.
  • August 1982 --Abolished the certification system for swords, etc., and changed to the sword appraisal system.
  • September 1989—Started the 1st Swordsmith Swordsmithing Technology Workshop of the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
  • March 31, 2017—Closed for rebuilding.
  • January 19, 2018—Opened in the New Sword Museum, Sumida Ward, Former Yasuda Garden.

    Sword Museum Building

Here are some details about the Japanese Sword Museum building.
  • Construction site: Former Yasuda Garden, 1-12-9 Yokoami, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 130-0015
  • Site area: 2157.9m 2
  • Building area: 1076.9m 2
  • Total floor area: 2619.8m 2
  • Structural scale: Reinforced concrete construction 3 stories above ground
  • Building height: 15.6m
  • Design company: Maki General Planning Office
  • Construction company: Toda Corporation
  • Opened: January 2018