Special Exhibition “Edo Sansaku and His Disciples” Held at Nagoya Sword World
Token Corporation Co., Ltd. Press Release: October 1, 2025 Special Exhibition “Edo Sansaku and His Disciples” Held at Nagoya Sword World To commemorate the 200th anniversary of Suishinshi Masahide’s death, a special exhibition will be held, displaying the three Edo swords and masterpieces from his school. Bus tours that allow you to fully experience the charm of Japanese swords and original merchandise from the special exhibition are also available for sale.
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URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/23091/42/23091-42-3ac370ce6406c7dacc273953903924db-688×2700.jpg Wakizashi Inscription 73 Okina Tenshu (engraved) February 1st, Bunsei 5
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/23091/42/23091-42-ab9de743bb1280a34a9bce47e91ddf4a-373×1479.jpg 〈Preserved Sword〉 Wakizashi, inscribed Naotane (monogram) August, 1880
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/23091/42/23091-42-2ccad4f3a6693d1b9aad07e4677b5d35-450×1479.jpg Wakizashi with the inscription Minamoto no Kiyomaro February 1, 1859 During the mid-Edo period, a long period of peace continued, causing a gradual decline in demand for Japanese swords. Swordsmiths throughout Japan, once thriving, found themselves in difficult circumstances. However, in the late 18th century, during the late Edo period, ambitious swordsmiths such as Suishinshi Masahide advocated the restoration of ancient sword forging methods from the Kamakura to Nanboku-cho periods. Among the renowned swordsmiths of this era, three masters based in Edo are known as the “Edo Sansaku.” These are Suishinshi Masahide, who widely promoted the idea of reviving ancient swords; Daikei Naotane, Masahide’s apprentice and skilled swordsmith, whose skills rivaled those of his master; and Minamoto Kiyomaro, the most popular swordsmith of the late Edo period. They studied ancient Japanese swords and, through ingenuity in the manufacturing of iron, the material used for swords, created a new type of Japanese sword known as the “Shinshinto.” 2. Works by Swordsmiths of the Edo Three Swordsmen Lineage
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/23091/42/23091-42-8cf08313bfd3c8b3bbb4b677b03a9727-1485×423.jpg 〈Important sword〉Naginata Signed: Tairanobu Hideo Osaka November 11, 1864 A large number of swordsmiths studied under Suishinshi Masahide, Daikei Naotane, and Minamoto no Kiyomaro, producing many master swordsmiths who have made their mark in future generations. This exhibition also features works by the Edo Sansaku disciples, allowing viewers to see how they were influenced by their master and how they incorporated these influences into their own work. For example, the Important Sword Naginata (halberd) with the inscription “Taira Nobuhide in Osaka, November 11, 1868” was crafted by Kurihara Nobuhide, a master swordsmith of the late Edo period who was a student of Minamoto no Kiyomaro. Kurihara Nobuhide was a mirror maker before entering the school of swordsmith Minamoto no Kiyomaro, and was known as a master second only to his master. This naginata was forged by Kurihara Nobuhide, who traveled to Osaka on orders from the shogunate during the First Chōshū Campaign. With its bold appearance and Sagami-den characteristics, it is a fine sword that exemplifies the style of the Minamoto no Kiyomaro school. 3. Comparison with Denpo, the ideal for the new new sword
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/23091/42/23091-42-d2b751226434c3bd17b881b6c55f4fc9-1479×439.jpg 〈Important Art Object〉Tachi Sword, Inscribed Ichi There is a chrysanthemum crest inscribed below the habaki. This exhibition will also feature swords from the Denpo period, which became the ideal for the new new swords. Suishinshi Masahide and others who popularized the idea of reviving the old swords sought to perfect old swords from the Kamakura period through the Nanboku-cho period. For example, the Important Art Object, Tachi (Sword) Inscribed “Ichi” with a
Kikubanamon (Kiritsuki) on the Underside of the Habagi, is a sword inscribed “Ichi” by Fukuoka Ichimonji, a swordsmith from the mid-Kamakura period. With the uchi (sword stem) and uchi (sword blade) still intact and only one mekugi-ana (hole), this is a renowned sword that has been remarkably well preserved in its original form. This sword perfectly exemplifies the characteristics of the “Bizen tradition” that Suishinshi Masahide and others used as a guide, making it an ideal example of a new new sword. We encourage you to compare the Edo Sansaku works with the old swords of the tradition that they idealized. Related events, merchandise, etc. 1. Luxury Bus Trip to Visit Japanese Swords and Hot Springs (Overnight & Day Trip) Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/23091/42/23091-42-83ddd89c92c063c0984db18fbe5f5aef-1280×853.jpg Watch traditional Japanese sword forging and experience responding at the Seki Blacksmith Museum
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/23091/42/23091-42-487aa921ac3accaaf7d35d3ca33468ce-3900×2193.jpg Guided tour of the Gifu Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/23091/42/23091-42-304f7f92c0eba4b0bfac331470a40904-724×423.jpg Hand-hold and view actual swords at a sword appreciation event (guests only)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/23091/42/23091-42-0e425fd0e088e1d7b497342ff008db12-3900×2600.jpg Special Exhibition “Edo Sansaku and Disciples” Gallery Talk *For overnight guests only To commemorate the opening of the special exhibition “Edo Sansaku and Disciples,” we will be offering overnight and day trip bus tours where you can fully enjoy viewing, learning about, and touching Japanese swords. At the Seki Blacksmith Heritage Museum, you can observe the techniques of Seki blacksmiths, passed down since the Kamakura period. Feel the heat on your skin and have the rare experience of actually responding to the sword. At the Gifu Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum, you can unravel the true value of Japanese swords, honed through practice, through the history of Sengoku warlords and battles. Guests staying overnight can also participate in a “Sword Appreciation Event” where they can hold and appreciate actual swords, or participate in a gallery talk by a curator from the special exhibition “Edo Sansaku and His Disciples,” allowing you to fully immerse yourself in Japanese swords. Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/23091/42/23091-42-af5376b2cc71dbb122c9a78821a75b27-1500×1125.jpg Hot spring open-air bath
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/23091/42/23091-42-ac9022d553672ed4514027eb1c46a750-1500×1125.jpg Hot spring public bath
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/23091/42/23091-42-77c428e6934c083ae82095be0c822735-1600×1200.jpg Hot spring pool
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/23091/42/23091-42-00d69349d8caec2a42a86fa13533ed79-1500×1125.jpg Guest Rooms *Image Guests can also enjoy a relaxing stay at Hotel Tado Onsen. Enjoy a tour of the hotel’s 100% privately-sourced hot springs, known for their skin-beautifying properties. Feel free to enjoy the various natural hot springs, including the open-air hot spring bath, large hot spring bath, and hot spring pool, to your heart’s content. For details on accommodation and day trip plans, please visit the Totsu Travel website (https://www.totsu-tr.co.jp/) or contact Totsu Travel (TEL: 052-243-8500). For bus tour details and to apply, click here 2. Edo Sansaku Night ~ Masahide Suishinko, Naotane Okei, Kiyomaro Minamoto ~ For those who want to know more about the Edo Sansaku and what exactly are the Edo Sansaku, we are holding a special event called “Edo Sansaku Night,” where you can learn more about the Edo Sansaku and enjoy a private viewing session. This event will be held on different dates for each swordsmith: Suishinshi Masahide, Daikei Naotane, and Minamoto Kiyomaro. Special pamphlets will be prepared for each swordsmith, and lectures will be held on Japanese swords and the Edo Sansaku, with commentary from curators. In addition, after closing time, you can enjoy a private viewing of the special exhibition “Edo Sansaku and Disciples,” allowing you to fully appreciate the charm of the Edo Sansaku. If you participate in this event, you’re sure to become even more enthralled with Suishinko Masahide, Daikei Naotane, and Minamoto Kiyomaro. For details, registration, and the latest information, please check the official website and official social media
(https://x.com/meihaku_touken). 3. Original Goods from the Special Exhibition “Edo Sansaku and His Disciples”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/23091/42/23091-42-4674785eaa47c6e7a7221b3cba6bf589-1500×1125.jpg Edo Sansaku Original Keychain
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/23091/42/23091-42-98d6c74edf694c727f189f3ba9b051ce-1500×1125.jpg Edo Sansaku Original Tote Bag
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/23091/42/23091-42-b7f712862bed4263d1ca455db3a0b957-1500×1125.jpg Edo Sansaku Original Sword Red Seal
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/23091/42/23091-42-b026c32d37b73a603667c07f16df9fd0-1500×1125.jpg Edo Sansaku Original A5 Clear File To commemorate the special exhibition, we will be selling original goods such as key chains, tote bags, sword seals, and clear files featuring the three Edo swords in our collection. The designs feature the signatures of Suishinshi Masahide, Daikei Naotane, and Minamoto Kiyomaro, and are a special touch of our museum, featuring swords bearing the signatures of the three Edo swords. The original goods will be available for purchase sequentially at the Museum Shop on the first floor of the North Building. Edo Sansaku and His Disciples Official
Website Special exhibition name Suishinshi Masahide: Special Exhibition Commemorating the 200th Anniversary of His Death: “Three Edo Works and His Disciples” Exhibition Period Saturday, November 1, 2025 – Sunday, January 18, 2026 Venue 35-43 Sakae 3-chome, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture Nagoya Sword Museum “Nagoya Sword World” North Building, 4th Floor Special Exhibition Room Opening Hours 10:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30) Closed days Closed Mondays (or the following weekday if a public holiday falls on a Monday), New Year’s holiday from December 29th (Monday) to January 5th (Monday) *Open on November 4th (Tuesday) and 25th (Tuesday), December 8th (Monday) and 22nd (Monday) Admission fee ●General: 1,200 yen ●University and high school students: 500 yen ●Junior high and elementary school students: 300 yen *Preschoolers are free ●Seniors (65 and over): 1,000 yen ●Persons with disabilities (including one attendant): Free *Please present your disability certificate ●Groups (20 or more): 300 yen discount for general admission / 100 yen discount for non-general admission Access 10-minute walk from Yabacho Station on the Nagoya Municipal Subway Meijo Line 9-minute walk from Osu-kannon Station on the Nagoya Municipal Subway Tsurumai Line 12-minute walk from Fushimi Station on the Nagoya Municipal Subway Higashiyama Line website https://www.meihaku.jp/event-202511/ Official SNS ■X:
https://x.com/meihaku_touken ■Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/meihaku.touken ■Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/meihaku.touken/