Gifu Festival Celebrates 700 Years of Swords
Seki City in Gifu Prefecture has been forging samurai swords for over 700 years. On the second weekend of October every year, the Seki Cutlery Festival celebrates the region's long history of blade-making—and offers gorgeous works at discount prices!
Cursed Swords on Display at Kuwana Museum
Don’t forget to purify your soul before heading to this museum’s display of samurai swords that were designed to do just one thing: kill.
Head to This Hotel if You're Keen on Katana
If you want to see Japanese swords and armor, and you don’t happen to have a time machine, usually you’ll need to head to a museum. However, we recently came across an astounding collection of katana not in any museum or gallery, but inside a hotel.
Aizu Wakamatsu Lives by the Code of its Samurai Past
A visit to Aizu Wakamatsu is a chance to study the samurai code that emphasized honor, respect and ethical behavior.
Japanese Sword Expert Paul Martin and his "Demon Slayer" Project
Paul Martin is the first foreigner recognized as a Japanese sword expert by the Japanese Government and the first foreigner to be appointed as a trustee for a major Japanese sword craftsman's public foundation.
Legendary Katana Now On Display in Tokyo
The legendary crescent moon katana, one of Japan's Five Swords Under Heaven, is now on display and is a hit with history buffs and video gamers alike.
Explore the Process of Making Japanese Swords
After watching this short tutorial on how to make a katana, you may find yourself wanting to become a swordsmith!
Wear a Necklace Made from a Japanese Sword
These forged steel accessories are taken from various parts of a blade created by a master swordsmith.
Day Walk of Ryogoku: Sumo, Swords, Souvenirs, and Wild Boar
Tokyo's Ryogoku district is closely associated with sumo, but there's plenty more to see and do here in this traditional area of downtown Tokyo.
Making the Old New Again
Got an old, rusty knife? Hand it over to Togitogi, the professional knife sharpener who smooths off the rust while making the blade razor-sharp!
Learn the Legacy of the Samurai
Experience 700 years of Samurai history at the Shinjuku Samurai Museum. See real swords, armor, helmets, and other tools and weapons.
