Seki Traditional Swordsmith Museum

Detail

Seki City, Gifu Prefecture, is known as the "City of Swords," having been a major sword-making center since the Kamakura period (1185-1333). The Seki Traditional Swordsmith Museum, located in the tourist complex Sekiterrace," is a facility that preserves the 700 years of Seki swordsmiths skills, and offers a variety of exhibits related to sword making.

The museum also has a Japanese sword smithy where visitors can observe sword smithing from a viewing platform within a distance of flying sparks, as well as a technical demonstration area, and once a month on an open day, a Seki swordsmith demonstrates sword forging.

The Seki swordsmith's swords were recognized by Daimyo and many military commanders, including Nobunaga and Ieyasu, for their "unbreakable, unbendable, and sharp swords. You can experience the authentic Seki sword making process here.

In the sword exhibition room on the first floor, swords made by Magoroku Kanemoto and other swordsmiths of ancient times are on display. In addition, a video presentation introduces the skills of the ancient Seki artisans, and displays valuable materials such as the history of the birth of the Seki smithy and sword accessories.

In the knife exhibition room on the second floor, there are exhibits of knives by contemporary knife makers and special exhibitions. As a special exhibition, this museum has been carrying out projects unique to City of Sword, such as recreating swords that appear in anime.

At the tourist information center and souvenir store in the Sekiterrace sightseeing complex, visitors can gather information on sightseeing in Seki and have a chance to find and purchase best cutlery products. Visitors can also take a break at Noshu Sekisho Chaya, teahouse in the Sekiterraace area or at the café attached to the tourist information center. You also enjoy the Feather Museum, where you can see the history of razors in the same area.