History of Japanese Samurai Swords

1,000 years ago, during the Edo-period, Bizen Osafune was the top sword making school in Japan. Cities tended to form and grow near a water source, since ships were a common method of transporting goods, and Osafune was no different.

The main road during the Edo-period, stretching from Kyushu to Kyoto passed through Osafune. This meant that the small city was in a great position for trade and production. The craftsmen of Osafune could easily observe the market and the demand.

This area was known as Fukuoka and was the commercial area in the past, and Fukuoka had plenty of hiding places between the houses in case enemies came.

When Japan lost the Second World War, America seized all the swords they could get a hold of from Japan. About 2,000,000 swords were taken, but 5,500 have been returned since then due to cultural and historical value. The other missing swords were likely discarded.

The details of a Japanese sword make them truly beautiful

There are very few places left today where you can see the traditional Samurai swords and learn the history of Japanese sword making. Bizen Osafune sword museum is the only place in Japan where you can see all the steps of making a Japanese sword.

Bizen Osafune sword museum

Bizen Osafune sword museum is a unique museum where collections of samurai swords are on display. The fashion of swords has changed many times throughout time, and thus different time periods each have unique swords. It is very interesting to see how the traditional Japanese samurai swords are made. There are 11 craftsmen involved in the process of making a Japanese sword.

This is where you can find the sword smith and see how to make swords

The souvenir shop sells a variety of items, such as imitation swords, paper knives and other little knickknacks. If you happen to be crazy about swords, you can see the real samurai swords for sale. A short sword called ‘wakizashi’ is sold from 350,000 yen. Just remember that as a sword owner you will need to register your sword with the authorities in Japan. If you want to bring your sword home with you, then you will need the appropriate import papers.

Events and opening hours
Entrance fee: 500 yen.

A free English speaking volunteer guide is available, but needs to be booked in advance. Please contact the Bizen Osafune Sword Museum two weeks in advance by phone or email.

Every second Sunday of the month, between 14:00-15:00, you can see a free demonstration on how to temper a sword. You can also take part in a workshop to learn how to make a paper knife. This costs 1,500 yen and takes approximately 1,5 hours. Prior reservation is needed at least 2 weeks in advance.

Open: Every day expect Monday and the day after a national holiday.

How to get there:
The closest train station to Bizen Osafune Sword museum is Kagato station. It is a 23 minute walk from the station.

Bizen Osafune Sword museum is approximately 35 minutes by foot from Osafune station. Taking a taxi is recommended!

The craft of the Sword smith

Japanese swords are made of a type of steel called ‘Tamahagane’. ‘Tama’ means round and precious and ‘hagane’ means steel. First, the lumps of Tamahagane are heated and hammered into flat pieces, and then the pieces are divided into soft and hard, pure steel. The chosen pieces are then piled on the base that is made from homogeneous steel.

The hard work starts now! The charcoal is heated to 1,300 degrees Celsius. The sword smith has mastered the art and can see and hear when the fire is ready. The steel is then heated, hammered flat, cut in half, folded and hammered flat again. This process is repeated many times to make the sword as strong and durable as possible. This process produces the soft steel that is used at the core of the sword.

Fire was heated to 1,300 degrees Celsius

The steel is cut, folded and hammered repeatedly

The sword smith had assistants to help with the heavy hammering

The steel is then cut into rectangles and piled evenly on top of the base and forged together. The softer steel is wrapped up in the harder steel in a U-shape that is folded and hammered flat and then folded again multiple times. The blade is dipped in a clay mixture between each folding in order to protect it from oxidation and carburization.

Now it is time to create the shape of the sword! The steel is put in the fire and lengthened by hammering. Then the exact shape of the sword and the tip, called ‘Kiseki,’ is formed with a smaller hammer. At this point, all that is left to do is file the sword and quench it in water, where the blade starts to create ‘sori’, the bending of the sword. The blade gets a rough polishing before it is passed to the next craftsman: the polisher.

The total weight of a finished Japanese sword is surprisingly light, weighing only around 800 g!

The other craftsmen in Japanese sword making

Once the sword smith is done with his work, the sword must pass through several other craftsmen before it is complete. First, the polisher needs to sharpen and polish the blade. Japanese sword polishing includes 14 steps, and then the sword is passed to the engraver, where kanji or other images get engraved into the blade.

A skilled engraver at Bizen Osafune sword museum working on a blade

Traditional Japanese swords include many small details such as a collar, called ‘habaki’, that prevents the blade from touching the scabbard. This are craftsman that specialise in making ‘habaki’.

The scabbard maker makes the scabbard in magnolia. He makes two curved halves that are glued together with glue made from rice. This is a difficult job since the scabbard must fit the sword perfectly. When the scabbard is finished, it is passed to the lacquerer who decorates the scabbard by using lacquer made from natural products such as minerals.

The ‘habaki’ is being made by a craftsman

The scabbard lacquerer is finishing polishing the lacquer

Another craftsman who specialises in making hilts and binding makes the hilt. He makes the hilt from wood, and then covers it in the skin of stingray to create a strong grip. Silk rope is then used to bind around the skin in order to strengthen it.

Metalworkers, guard makers and hilt decorators are other craftsmen that play a part in the final details of the sword. Not only is a Japanese sword about strength and durability, but also the visual beauty of each sword is equally important both to the craftsmen and samurai warriors.