East area of Okayama 4
October, 2014
The town of Osafune has prospered since the Kamakura era due to its Japanese sword production. The quality and quantity of their swords were overwhelming compared to all other provinces. Bizen Osafune Token no Sato (Bizen Osafune Sword Village) displays the great accomplishments of the sword crafting masters of that time. You can actually see the sword making process in the workshop studio which is really exciting for those who love swords. I struck a pose with a sword in my hands, what do you think?
The town of Osafune has prospered since the Kamakura era due to its Japanese sword production. The quality and quantity of their swords were overwhelming compared to all other provinces. Bizen Osafune Token no Sato (Bizen Osafune Sword Village) displays the great accomplishments of the sword crafting masters of that time. You can actually see the sword making process in the workshop studio which is really exciting for those who love swords. I struck a pose with a sword in my hands, what do you think?
Beautiful swords made in Osafune. The studio workshop is open to visitors.
At the sword visitor center, you can actually lift up some swords. It was surprising that people in the old days were carrying something so heavy.
Eight to ten craftsmen and one to two years were needed to create one sword, which was all well explained.
After learning all about making swords, you can move into the craftsmen's studio workshop to observe! Currently, there are about 300 sword-making craftsmen in Japan. Craftsmen like Shiroganeshi and Nurishi (a painter) each have a small studio and you can watch them work there. If you watch them work there every day, you can see one sword be completed.
Bizen Osafune Japanese Sword Museum - Bizen Osafune Sword Village
Location
966 Osafune, Osafune-Cho, Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture
Telephone number
0869-66-7767
Closed
Closed every Monday
(open on Monday national holidays, and closed the next day)
(open on Monday national holidays, and closed the next day)
Business hours
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
(Admission 4:30 PM)
(Admission 4:30 PM)
Website
