[Nara Shimbun Co., Ltd.] [Popular sword exhibits and experiences are back!] The 14th Interesting History Festival “Enjoy History” / Come join us at Asuka Historical National Park in Asuka Village, Nara Prefecture for two days on October 4th and 5th!
Co., Ltd. Nara Shimbun Press Release: September 26, 2025 To Members of the Press [Popular sword exhibits and experiences are back! 】The 14th Interesting History Festival “Enjoy History” / Come to Asuka National Historic Park in Asuka Village, Nara Prefecture for two days, October 4th and 5th! This annual autumn event brings together cities and towns in the central and southern areas of Nara Prefecture to promote the “charm of history.” This year, the venue will be the Asuka Wind Stage area within Asuka National Historic Park. Come to Asuka, the birthplace of Japanese history, and enjoy history to the fullest at the “Reki Fest”!
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/155453/16/155453-16-75d110d691d6cbffa05f13d08516d115-1910×2700.jpg The History Festival Executive Committee will hold the 14th
Interesting History Festival, “Enjoying History.” The festival will be held over two days, October 4th (Sat) and 5th (Sun), at the “Asuka Kazebutai” (Asuka Wind Stage) next to Ishibutai (stone stage) in Asuka Village, Nara Prefecture (154 Shimasho, Asuka Village, Takaichi District, Nara Prefecture, within the National Asuka Historical Park). The festival is co-sponsored by The Nara Shimbun (Head office: 2-4 Hokkeji-cho, Nara City; President and CEO: Atsunori Tanaka). The theme is “Invigorating the Chunanwa region with historical entertainment!” The spacious venue will feature stage events, city and town PR booths, historical stage talks, hero shows, participatory programs, and other events. The venue’s “Food & Merchandise EXPO Area” will also feature stalls selling gourmet food, sweets, and merchandise. Under the theme of “Invigorating the Chubu-Nanwa Region with Historical
Entertainment,” this event will introduce entertainment themed around history and culture, allowing you to see, experience, and feel the fascinating and profound aspects of history on-site.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/155453/16/155453-16-37478338548e25581a059135fca78149-2992×2000.jpg Take a closer look at the historical explanation! (Previous lectures)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/155453/16/155453-16-1d88210944e2b5035c04403959af3858-3900×2602.jpg Presentations by teams from around the prefecture were also held on stage (scenes from past events)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/155453/16/155453-16-d9bd1a0425a42a062540e78060815bfc-3104×2072.jpg Sword girls admiring the exhibits (scenes from a past event) Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/155453/16/155453-16-0978129ef1d6943b9b48ed83f6da8708-2510×1673.jpg If you get hungry, enjoy some gourmet food (previously. This time, only tent-style stalls were available.) Click here for the official special website Have fun with the whole family! Check out our featured events! ◆The sword event is back after 7 years! Special Exhibition “Iroha Swords” (Held on both the 4th and 5th)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/155453/16/155453-16-3568c603b8d22068554ed3136608638f-600×321.jpg Get a feel for “seriousness”! (Advance reservations are required. Participation is free.)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/155453/16/155453-16-f3f6bb0fa992d844a0bba40033d2f901-600×337.jpg There’s also a “meikiri” (inscription carving) workshop. Have your favorite kanji engraved! (In principle, reservations must be made in advance. Production costs are 1,500 yen.) This year’s Reki Festival will see the return of the special exhibition “Iroha ni Touken” (Iroha Swords) in an even more powerful format! Masterpieces from ancient to modern swords will be gathered together. Under expert guidance, there will be opportunities to experience rare and precious swords, as well as workshops where you can try your hand at engraving inscriptions into metal plates using a chisel and hammer. *Admission to the special exhibition is 500 yen, free for elementary school students and younger. Some experiences and workshops require a fee. *For details and how to apply, please check [Event Details & Timetable]. ◆Bring your own work and receive a special bonus♪ “Sword Coloring Book Entries”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/155453/16/155453-16-09ac87351db1c7efacd3cc89fb76223c-2992×2000.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/155453/16/155453-16-8542012512548de5fd3d7f56768aa5de-600×422.jpg The coloring book this time features this design. Color it cool and show it off♪ This time, we’re distributing “Sword” coloring data in advance! Color the printed paper in your favorite colors and bring it to the “General Reception” on the day of the History Festival. Those who bring it will receive a 300 yen voucher to use within the History Festival venue. *Only one coloring book per person can be exchanged for a gift certificate. *PDF data for the coloring book can be downloaded from [Event Details & Timetable]. ◆Deepen your learning of history! “History Lecture by Professor Takafumi Kurumura” Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/155453/16/155453-16-6cec3a645ce1eab44e3eda36fe5660b1-497×600.jpg Dr. Takashi Kimura is visiting! Lecture Topic: The Power of the Four Gods Connecting the Kitora and Takamatsuzuka Tomb and Fujiwara-kyo ▼Profile of Takafumi Kurumura Born in Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture in 1958. Studied at Kansai University under Yoshinori Aboshi, discoverer of the Takamatsuzuka murals. Specializes in Sino-Japanese archaeology. His books include “The Kitora Tomb Speaks” (NHK Publishing), “Takamatsuzuka and Kitora: The Mystery of the Tomb Murals” (Kodansha), and “Up and Down Astronomy: The Mystery of the Kitora and
Takamatsuzuka Tomb” (Kyoiku Hyoronsha). His book as a tour guide includes “Tourist Guide Theory” (Koyo Shobo). ◆Deepen your learning about swords! “Sword Lecture by Miyazaki Masahisa” Lecture Topic: Is Yamato the Homeland of the Japanese Sword?! ▼Profile of Masahisa Miyazaki Born in Osaka in 1950. Graduated from Osaka City University in 1974. In 1992, he studied under the 18th head of the Yagyu Tsukishin-ryu school, Mr. Okada, and continued to study under him for the next 10 years. In the same year, he began researching the history and culture of Japanese swords. He currently serves as the head of the Kansai branch of the Japanese Sword Preservation Society. For many years, he has published essays on the history and culture of swords in the journal of the Japanese sword enthusiasts’ organization. His works include “History and Culture Told by Japanese Swords,” “Japanese Sword Gaiden,” “Swords Donated to Kashihara Shrine,” and “Pencil Case No. 39: Special Feature on Japanese Swords: Japanese Swords, the Lineage of Martial Arts.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/155453/16/155453-16-db98a7a4f11e1884ab222cba7854c69b-2297×2700.jpg Professor Masahisa Miyazaki will be visiting! ◆That character from that town too! “A Gathering of Nara Prefecture’s Popular Mascots!”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/155453/16/155453-16-bc826700bbd1a50619da3fa9c0d9f2bf-3900×2600.jpg Photos of past Yuru-chara Gatherings
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/155453/16/155453-16-c68784677a6400e79d47c1ae12527f3b-3104×2072.jpg If you’re lucky, you might even get to interact with them inside the venue♪ A huge gathering of Nara Prefecture’s mascots! The mascots will be causing a commotion on stage and at the venue! Of course, you’re welcome to take photos and share them on social media♪ [Scheduled to appear] Katsuragi City – Renka-chan / Gojo City – Go-chan / Tawaramoto Town – Tawaramoto-ton / Koryo Town – Kaguya-chan / Oji Town – Yukimaru / Kamimaki Town – Yuriha-chan & Kamimaki Petarou / Kawai Town – Sunamaru / Gose City – Gosen-chan ◆Take commemorative photos with the heroes! “Number One Sentai Gojuger Show”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/155453/16/155453-16-351c35e7b601b5a2974f943ccb093084-468×468.jpg The Gojuugers are coming to Asuka Village, Nara! The Gojuugers will be coming to Asuka Village on the 5th! After the show, let’s all take some cool commemorative photos! Both the show and photography are free to enjoy. *After the 11:00-11:40 (morning session), photos will be taken together. After the 14:50-15:30 (afternoon session), photos will be taken individually. You are welcome to take photos with your own camera or smartphone during both times. With a variety of events, it’s recommended for families of all ages, from children to adults, to come together. Why not spend a day immersed in historical entertainment while feeling the breath of grand history in the Nara/Asuka region? [Event Details & Timetable] *Links for applications, etc. are also available here. Event name 14th Interesting History Festival “Enjoy History” Venue Asuka Historical National Park Asuka Village, Nara Prefecture, “Asuka Kazebutai” next to Ishibutai (154 Shimasho, Asuka Village, Takaichi District, Nara Prefecture) Event Dates Saturday, October 4th and Sunday, October 5th, 2025 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM (scheduled) on both days Admission Fee Free Event Introduction & Timetable A collection of masterpieces from ancient to modern swords! ! Special Exhibition: Iroha Swords (Admission: 500 yen, free for elementary school students and younger) With the cooperation of Kawachi Kunihira Swordsmith, Gassan Japanese Sword Forging Dojo, Kaneda Kunimasa Swordsmith, Japanese Sword Preservation Society ・Let’s take a serious look (Advance registration required. Approximately 20 minutes, free to participate, limited to one session per person) ・Meikiri Workshop (October 4th and 5th, 11:30-15:30. Advance registration required. Approximately 10 minutes, production cost: 1,500 yen, limited to one session per person) Click here to apply for “Let’s take a serious
look”≫https://docs.google.com/forms/d/14DV3_SeQwYeDrwQemv-n-Ta7ltv-iDHrLcDcwJWEUqo/viewform?ts=68cb9e20&edit_requested=true Click here to apply for the “Meikiri Workshop”≫ ■Saturday, October 4th 10:30 Shotoku Junior High School Brass Band Performance 11:00 Opening Ceremony 11:30 Nara Prefecture’s popular Yuruki Grand Gathering of Nara Prefecture’s Popular Mascots (1st Session) 12:30 History Lecture (Lecturer: Takafumi Kurumura) 13:45 Dream Festival 14:30 Yoshimoto Kogyo Mochi-san Show 14:45 Grand Gathering of Nara Prefecture’s Popular Mascots (2nd Session) ■Sunday, October 5th 11:00 Number One Sentai Gojuja Show (1st Session) 11:50 City and Town Promotion Time 12:40 Hula Dance (Luana Hula Studio) 13:20 Sword Lecture (Instructor: Miyazaki Masahisa) 14:15 Cheerleading (Bambitious Elementary School Team) 14:50 Number One Sentai Gojuja Show (2nd performance) ■Held on both days ・Grand Marche in Asuka Historical National Park (Gourmet and specialty products stalls) ・Sword coloring book submissions accepted (Bring your work on the day and exchange it for a voucher that can be used at Reki Fes) Download the sword coloring book
here≫https://www.reki-fes.com/news_detail5.html About implementation Organized by: 14th Interesting History Festival Executive Committee Co-organized by: The Nara Shimbun Special sponsor: Muramoto
Construction Co., Ltd. Supported by: Nara Prefecture, Tenri City, Kashihara City, Sakurai City, Gose City, Yamatotakada City, Kashiba City, Katsuragi City, Gojo City, Uda City, Tawaramoto Town, Takatori Town, Asuka Village, Koryo Town, Yoshino Town, Oji Town, Oyodo Town, Kawai Town, Kamimaki Town, Asuka National Historic Park, Nara Prefectural Board of Education, World Heritage Site “Asuka-Fujiwara” Registration Promotion Council Special site https://www.reki-fes.com/ (Contents are being updated sequentially) Related SNS
https://x.com/rekifes_katana (“Iroha ni Touken” Official X)
Event-related articles
https://www.nara-np.co.jp/web/20250926135328.html (Featured in the Nara Shimbun Digital section)
https://www.nara-np.co.jp/event/ev28.html (Event information published in Nara Shimbun Digital)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/155453/16/155453-16-8b7af327b533ee35317140f8d7464f36-873×223.png Nara Shimbunsha Inquiries regarding this release/event: History Festival Executive Committee, History Festival Section 2-4
Hokkeji-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture TEL: 0742-32-2112 *Weekdays 9:00-18:00 (Closed Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) Email:
planning@nara-np.co.jp Distributor: Nara Shimbun Main phone number: 0742(32)1000 *Weekdays 9:00-17:00 (Closed Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)