Like katanas? Then you’ll love this place. The Japanese Sword Museum (website’s in Japanese only). They display lots of different katanas from different eras in Japanese history. The katanas that they display are not museum pieces. They belong to collectors who generously allow the museum to display them. Depends on when you go, the displays are always different.
When I went, they were displaying katanas from the Kamakura and the Nanbukucho period. Pretty old stuff. You won’t see the packaged whole katana. Only the blade is displayed. Everything else is stripped bare. You’ll get to see the soul of the katana!
It’s very interesting! The length, curvature and even the way it was carried evolved quite a bit over time. During the Heian period (平安時代 Heian-jidai), a long time ago… think “The tale of Genji”, swords were carried on the waist blade facing the ground. But there was a switch after that period. Katanas were then worn with the blade facing upwards. You know why? Back in the Heian period, samurais fought on horsebacks. So the swords were worn blade down so that it doesn’t hit the horse’s side (even “modern” samurais still wear it like that while on horseback). Even not on horseback, they still carried it that way. When the it changed. I don’t know why, but someone explained it to me in a very simple way; the rise of Battōjutsu (抜刀術), the sword-drawing techniques. I’m sure you know one thing or two about it. One quick draw and *swoosh*, your opponent is cut. Apparently It’s much easier to do a quick draw with the blade facing up. Hence the change.
Anyway, the museum provides a general “Manual for Appreciating the Japanese Sword” in English. I found it to be pretty informative. Don’t forget to pick it up when you get there!
There is one drawback though… I would say the worst part about going there is getting there. The place itself is quite hard to find. You have to navigate a few narrow streets. Check the map. I took the Keio New Line (京王新線) and got off at Hatsudai (初台) station. You can get on this line from Shibuya or Shinjuku. Remember, it’s the new line. The station is at the left portion of the map. When you get out, you’ll most like be at Tokyo Opera City (東京オペラシティ). You’ll be able to find your way from there.
If you’re on the right track, you’ll see plenty of signs like this…
and this…
This is the front of the museum.
The multi-storied flyover that you can see in the map.
You won’t see photos for katanas here because I wasn’t allowed to take photos inside. But you’ll love it. Katanas are unrivaled beautiful steel pieces of art, even if they are a weapon. I only wish I had me one…
Related posts... maybe:
- Ebisu #1 Yebisu Beer Museum
- The Little Prince Museum in Hakone
- Hobby Complex 6
- Japanese Autumn Moon
- Odawara Castle
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