Osafune: land of legendary japanese swords
Osafune: land of legendary japanese swords
Osafune: land of legendary japanese swords
Home of the famous Bizen Swords
Nestled amongst the flowing rice fields and undulating green hills of ancient Bizen province (modern Okayama prefecture), Osafune is a peaceful little town in Setouchi city, barely a 30 minute train ride from Okayama station.
But do not be fooled by its seemingly quaint, quiet atmosphere. Osafune was once the most prolific centre of sword production in all of Japan.
This area has indeed been witness to a thousand years of Japanese sword-making history and is the birthplace to many important sword-making schools and of half of the swords designated as Japanese National Treasures.
Today, the Osafune swordsmiths continue to create masterpieces: modern art swords that rival those of the golden age of swordsmithing during the Kamakura period.
Home of the famous Bizen Swords
Nestled amongst the flowing rice fields and undulating green hills of ancient Bizen province (modern Okayama prefecture), Osafune is a peaceful little town in Setouchi city, barely a 30 minute train ride from Okayama station.} But do not be fooled by its seemingly quaint, quiet atmosphere. Setouchi City was once the most prolific centre of sword production in all of Japan.
The Osafune area has indeed been witness to a thousand years of Japanese sword-making history and is the birthplace to many important sword-making schools and of half of the swords designated as Japanese National Treasures.
Today, the Osafune swordsmiths continue to create masterpieces: modern art swords that rival those of the golden age of swordsmithing during the Kamakura period.
Home of the famous Bizen Swords
Nestled amongst the flowing rice fields and undulating green hills of ancient Bizen province (modern Okayama prefecture), Osafune is a peaceful little town in Setouchi city, barely a 30 minute train ride from Okayama station.} But do not be fooled by its seemingly quaint, quiet atmosphere. Setouchi City was once the most prolific centre of sword production in all of Japan.
The Osafune area has indeed been witness to a thousand years of Japanese sword-making history and is the birthplace to many important sword-making schools and of half of the swords designated as Japanese National Treasures.
Today, the Osafune swordsmiths continue to create masterpieces: modern art swords that rival those of the golden age of swordsmithing during the Kamakura period.
Meet the craftmen keeping samurai history alive
The Bizen Osafune Japanese Sword Museum was established in 1983 with the aim of honouring, preserving and conveying this important historical and cultural legacy.
At this unique museum, visitors can not only experience the beauty of Bizen blades through curated exhibitions, but also witness their creation firsthand.
In the adjoining workshops and studios, you can watch these enigmatic art pieces come to life as master artisans forge the steel at temperatures of 1300°, sharpen, carve, engrave and lacquer the many pieces that comprise a complete sword.
Join us every second Sunday of the month for a public demonstration of traditional forging techniques!
Meet the craftmen keeping samurai history alive
The Bizen Osafune Japanese Sword Museum was established in 1983 with the aim of honouring, preserving and conveying this important historical and cultural legacy.
At this unique museum, visitors can not only experience the beauty of Bizen blades through curated exhibitions, but also witness their creation firsthand. In the adjoining workshops and studios, you can watch these enigmatic art pieces come to life as master artisans forge the steel at temperatures of 1300°, sharpen, carve, engrave and lacquer the many pieces that comprise a complete sword.
Join us every second Sunday of the month for a public demonstration of traditional forging techniques!
Meet the craftmen keeping samurai history alive
The Bizen Osafune Japanese Sword Museum was established in 1983 with the aim of honouring, preserving and conveying this important historical and cultural legacy.
At this unique museum, visitors can not only experience the beauty of Bizen blades through curated exhibitions, but also witness their creation firsthand. In the adjoining workshops and studios, you can watch these enigmatic art pieces come to life as master artisans forge the steel at temperatures of 1300°, sharpen, carve, engrave and lacquer the many pieces that comprise a complete sword.
Join us every second Sunday of the month for a public demonstration of traditional forging techniques!
Ancient Japanese medieval road and markets
Beautiful ironwork is not the only thing that makes Osafune a must-visit for anyone who likes to get off the beaten track. Thanks to its important high quality sword production, the Bizen Fukuoka neighbourhood was once a bustling economic center and the largest mercantile city along the Sanyo road during the 12th and 13th centuries.
As a nexus not only for wealth, but also for culture, this area has developed a wide array of festivals, foods and fascinating traditions such as the Bizen Fukuoka no Ichi Market that can still be enjoyed to this day.
Visit the beautiful Nakazaki Residence, built around a hundred years ago as the home of a wealthy landowner.
It stands as a testament to the area’s history, showcasing detailed architecture with early Western influences.
Ancient Japanese medieval road and markets
Beautiful ironwork is not the only thing that makes Osafune a must-visit for anyone who likes to get off the beaten track. Thanks to its important high quality sword production, the Bizen Fukuoka neighbourhood was once a bustling economic center and the largest mercantile city along the Sanyo road during the 12th and 13th centuries.
As a nexus not only for wealth, but also for culture, this area has developed a wide array of festivals, foods and fascinating traditions such as the Bizen Fukuoka no Ichi Market that can still be enjoyed to this day.
Visit the beautiful Nakazaki Residence, built around a hundred years ago as the home of a wealthy landowner. It stands as a testament to detailed architecture with early Western influences.
Ancient Japanese medieval road and markets
Beautiful ironwork is not the only thing that makes Osafune a must-visit for anyone who likes to get off the beaten track. Thanks to its important high quality sword production, the Bizen Fukuoka neighbourhood was once a bustling economic center and the largest mercantile city along the Sanyo road during the 12th and 13th centuries.
As a nexus not only for wealth, but also for culture, this area has developed a wide array of festivals, foods and fascinating traditions such as the Bizen Fukuoka no Ichi Market that can still be enjoyed to this day. Visit the beautiful Nakazaki Residence, built around a hundred years ago as the home of a wealthy landowner. It stands as a testament to detailed architecture with early Western influences.
See more of the charms of the Osafune area
See more of the charms of the Osafune area
See more of the charms of the Osafune area
Visit swordsmiths in their own private workshops, scattered across the Osafune rural area.
Learn how to appreciate a sword's artistic details at the museum.
Watch the master swordsmiths make sparks fly during the forging demonstration.
Bizen Fukuoka Market, a historic morning market in Osafune.
At the heart of the Sword Museum is the forge of the blacksmith Ando-san.
Myokoji Temple, where tombs of the local feudal lords are kept.
A sword is not complete wihtout its mountings! guard, scabbard and ornements.
Both the interior and exterior of the Nakazaki Residence are worth seeing!
Bizen Fukuoka: an untouched traditional Japanese neighbourhood.
Tamahagane steel is the raw material used to create Japanese blades.
Today, modern art-swords are custom-made and are said to bring protection and health to its owner.
The sword’s hamon is a visible, artistic signature line, created using clay to transform the steel through heat.
SWORDSMITH
You can learn to appreciate a sword's artistic details at the museum.
SWORDSMITH
SWORDSMITH
SWORDSMITH
SWORDSMITH
A sword is not complete wihtout its mountings! guard, scabbard and ornements.
SWORDSMITH
SWORDSMITH
SWORDSMITH
SWORDSMITH