Located in Nagafune-cho, Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture, the Bizen Osafune Sword Museum is a specialized museum that conveys the traditions of the Bizen Osafune school, which is famous as a sacred place for Japanese swords. You can learn more about the history and culture of Bizen Osafune, which flourished as a major production area of ​​Japanese swords from the Kamakura period to the Muromachi period. A variety of swords are exhibited in the museum, and their beautiful curves, intricate blade patterns, and dignified appearance will overwhelm you. This is a must-see place for sword fans as well as those interested in Japanese traditional crafts and history.

The great appeal of this museum is that you can not only see the exhibits, but also observe the production process of Japanese swords up close. The premises are equipped with workshops for swordsmiths, sword polishers, scabbard makers, and handle wrappers, and on weekends, swordsmiths sometimes hold public training sessions. The sight of the iron being hammered into a Japanese sword in the midst of a blazing flame is very impressive, and you can feel the depth of traditional Japanese techniques.

[Useful points of concern]
Public training sessions are held irregularly, so if you would like to visit, we recommend that you check the schedule on the official website in advance. Many of the exhibits are shown through glass cases, so please be aware that photography may be restricted.

[Trivia]
As of March 2020, the national treasure "Tachi Mumei Ichimonji (Yamadorige)" has been owned by Setouchi City and is exhibited and displayed at the Bizen Osafune Sword Museum about once a year.