Special Exhibition “Swords Save People – Funassyi’s Sword Exhibition” Second Half Begins Today (October 1 – November 24, 2025) | Bizen Osafune Sword Museum
airprotection Co., Ltd. Press Release: October 1, 2025 Special Exhibition “Swords Save People ~Funassyi’s Sword Exhibition~” Second half starts today (October 1 – November 24, 2025) | Bizen Osafune Sword Museum The museum attracted 10,000 visitors in the first half of the year. The second half of the year will see some changes to the exhibits, kicking off with a call from Funassyi. HITofuri’s official cheer leader, “Hitomaru” (an unofficial Bizen Osafune character), also attended the opening.
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Ayanami/Nagayoshi” will be on display. On the opening day, Hitomaru, the official cheer leader of the HITofuri Project and the “unofficial” character of Bizen Osafune, will also be in attendance. With Funassyi’s permission, the following comment is included in this release. (The meaning of the text should not be altered, and it is only available during the exhibition period.) Note from the sender: This release is provided by the HITOFURI Project (operated by airprotection Co., Ltd. [Kita-ku, Osaka / Representative Director: Koichi Nishidate]). Exhibition highlights (second half) ・Dates: Wednesday, October 1, 2025 – Monday, November 24, 2025 (holiday) ・Highlights: Collaborative works “Kosui” and “Hosui” (Funassyi x Swordsmith Hiroyasu Ando), “Sword with Gold Inlaid Inscription: Ayanami/Nagayoshi,” and more ・Venue: Bizen Osafune Sword Museum, Bizen Osafune Sword Village ・Address: 966 Osafune, Nagafune-cho, Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture, 701-4271 ・Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 (last entry at 16:30) *Opens at 10:00 on Wednesday, October 1st. ・Closed: Every Monday (or the following weekday if Monday is a national holiday) ・Official website:
https://www.city.setouchi.lg.jp/site/token/ Contribution to Society In accordance with Funassyi’s wishes, a portion of the admission fee will be donated to support the recovery efforts in the Noto Peninsula earthquake. Comments Funassy The first half of the Funassyi Sword Exhibition at the Bizen Osafune Sword Museum has reached 10,000 visitors! ♪ヾ(。゜▽゜)ノ Thank you so much to everyone who visited! ♪ The second half of the exhibition starts today and will continue through November, so please come and visit! ♪ Quotation Conditions: Original text (no alteration) *Permission obtained (C) Funassyi Bizen Osafune Sword Museum, Director Shiota Isamu The second half of the exhibition, which begins today, will feature some rearrangement of exhibits, including “Kosui” and “Hosui,” collaborative works by Funassyi and swordsmith Ando, as well as “Katana with Gold Inlaid Inscription: Ayanami/Nagayoshi.” This is a wonderful opportunity to experience sword culture up close. The number of visitors in the first half of the exhibition exceeded 10,000, and we hope that sword fans will be even more pleased with the second half. Swordsmith Hiroyasu Ando We are honored that so many people came. We hope that through this special event with Funassyi, you will be able to experience the depth of Japanese sword culture while having fun. Funassy LAND Bizen Osafune store New merchandise will continue to be released in the second half of the exhibition. After enjoying the exhibition, please be sure to stop by Funassyi LAND Bizen Osafune store. We hope you will take home some memories of the sword exhibition along with items that you can only get here.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/105548/1/105548-1-29f299d8ef874eedb8d882ed11601023-3900×1379.jpg Special Exhibition “Swords Save People ~Funassyi’s Sword Exhibition~” Overview ・Name: Special Exhibition “Swords Save People ~Funassyi’s Sword Exhibition~” ・Dates: Second Term: Wednesday, October 1, 2025 – Monday, November 24, 2025 (holiday) ・Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry 4:30 PM) *Opens at 10:00 AM on October 1st ・Closed: Every Monday (closed the following weekday if Monday is a national holiday) ・Venue: Bizen Osafune Sword Museum, Bizen Osafune Sword Village (966 Osafune, Nagafune-cho, Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture) ・Official website: https://www.city.setouchi.lg.jp/site/token/ Reference Material (Appendix): Character Profile “Hitomaru” Name:: Hitomaru (Official HITofuri Project Cheer Captain/Unofficial Bizen Osafune Character) Debut: First appearance for the media Introduction: A samurai in the making. He trains every day with the goal of becoming a fine samurai. He is good friends with swordsmith Ando of Bizen Osafune. He admires Bizen swords. This mascot trains every day with respect for Japanese sword culture. He ends his sentences with “~de gozaru.”
Characteristics:Its adorable shape resembles an egg. Its unwavering expression, staring straight ahead, its lips tightly pursed, reflects its desire to reach heights as great as Mount Fuji as a samurai. Personality: Very earnest and never misses her daily routine. She has strong preconceptions and often makes know-it-all remarks. Favorite Foods: Three-colored dumplings, sweet bean paste, and coarse red bean paste. Expected Exposure: Attendance and photocall participation on the opening day (10/1) About the images – This release marks the first public release of promotional images for “Hitomaru” to the media. ・Terms of Use: Secondary use for commercial purposes requires application. Cropping is permitted, but excessive processing or compositing is prohibited. ・Image provided: Reproduction permitted / Credit required ((C) HITOFURI/Hitomaru)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/105548/1/105548-1-588a0a176b090b7656845e83fd65ddab-1909×2700.png HITOFURI Official Cheerleader “Hitomaru” (Bizen Osafune Unofficial Character)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/105548/1/105548-1-45dcb07484869c1ee2bb46ec5e384436-3900×2925.jpg “Hitomaru” (the official HITofuri cheering captain) appeared in the opening alongside Funassyi.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/105548/1/105548-1-e5290b6f911d119177ca81fbb787b180-3900×2925.jpg “Hitomaru” (Official HITofuri Cheerleading Captain/Unofficial Bizen Osafune Character)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/105548/1/105548-1-870001622fe327cdd55b487a3d679900-1702×961.jpg Hitomaru is training to become a samurai. It features an adorable egg-shaped form. Image 1: Hitomaro individual promotional material (transparent PNG / A4 300dpi) Images 2-4: Venue stills (JPG / landscape) 300dpi) Secondary Use: Secondary use for commercial purposes requires a application. Cropping is allowed, but compositing and excessive processing are prohibited. [About airprotection Co., Ltd.] airprotection Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Osaka; Representative Director: Koichi Nishidate) creates products that combine traditional techniques with modern design. Through projects such as the “HITOFURI” project, we are promoting the value of Japanese sword culture and crafts in new ways. [About the HITOFURI Project] “HITOFURI” is a project that aims to preserve the spirit of Japanese swords through craftsmanship. This project delivers products that are in line with modern lifestyles. In collaboration with swordsmith Hiroyasu Ando, We have created works such as “Sword-shaped Hitofuri” and “Amulet-shaped Hitofuri” that incorporate tamahagane steel and traditional techniques. We are engaged in activities to pass on traditions to the next generation.
