Japanese Sword Museum
刀剣博物館
Japanese Sword Museum (2018)

Established	January 19, 2018 (present location)
Location	1-12-9, Yokoami, Sumida-ku, 130-0015, Tokyo, Japan
Type	Art museum, Military museum
Collection size	190 items
Public transit access	Tokyo Metro: Ryogoku JR East: JB Chūō-Sōbu Line E Toei Oedo Line
Website	www.touken.or.jp

35°40′53″N 139°41′27″E / 35.681456°N 139.69089°E / 35.681456; 139.69089 (Japanese Sword Museum) The Japanese Sword Museum or Tōken hakubutsukan (刀剣博物館) situated in Tokyo, is a small museum dedicated to the art of Japanese swordmaking. It preserves and displays swords. It is operated by Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai (NBTHK, The Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords). The association's office is located inside the museum building.

Overview

It is one of the few museums in Japan that specializes in Japanese swords. Works donated by sword enthusiasts are entrusted with storage and management. The old Japanese Sword Museum, located in Yoyogi 4-chome, Shibuya-ku, closed at the end of March 2017, and the new Japanese Sword Museum opened in January 2018.

The museum is run by The Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords.^[1]

Collection

The museum has a collection of about 190 items, including swords (mainly katana), tosogu (mountings), yoroi (armor) as well as documents of metal working and metalwork materials.^[2] Some of the swords have been designated and certified by the national government as national treasures, important cultural properties, and important art objects. There is a property, and works of each age and school are stored, centering on old masterpieces of the Heian, Kamakura, and northern and southern clans.

Timeline

1948 (Showa 23)
- February 24-The Japan Art Swords Preservation Association is established with the permission of the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to preserve and inherit the Japanese swords that were in a state of destruction due to the confiscation by the troops stationed after the war (the office is in Tokyo). Located in the National Museum ).
- September—Started a certification system for swords, etc. to preserve swords.
January 1955-The 1st sword technology presentation.
June 1958 (Showa 33) --Establish an important designation system for swords, etc.
May 25, 1968-The Japanese Sword Museum opens.

1977 (Showa 52)

- May- Certified Tamahagane manufacturing selection / preservation technology selection, Yuzo Abe , and Koji Hisamura .
- November- Reconstruction of the Japanese sword in Yokota Town , Shimane Prefecture .
August 1982 (Showa 57) --Abolished the certification system for swords, etc., and changed to the sword appraisal system.
September 1989—Started the 1st Swordsmith Swordsmithing Technology Workshop of the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
March 31, 2017—Closed for rebuilding.
January 19, 2018—Opened in the New Sword Museum, Sumida Ward, Former Yasuda Garden (Ryogoku Public Hall site).

Sword Museum Building

Here are some details about the Japanese Sword Museum building.

Construction site: Former Yasuda Garden, 1-12-9 Yokoami, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 130-0015
Site area: 2157.9m 2
Building area: 1076.9m 2
Total floor area: 2619.8m 2
Structural scale: Reinforced concrete construction (partially steel frame construction) 3 stories above ground
Building height: 15.6m
Design company: Maki General Planning Office
Construction company: Toda Corporation
Opened: January 2018 (Heisei 30)