Along with Germany's Solingen and England's Sheffield, Seki City is one of the most well-known and highly regarded blade-producing areas in the world. To this day, Japanese swords continue to be produced by swordsmiths in the traditional forging style that has been passed down for centuries.
The Seki Traditional Swordsmith Museum shows off the history and tradition of blade-making that date back over 700 years. Documents and videos are always on display for visitors to see, and on certain designated days, a glimpse of traditional Japanese sword forging is shown to the public. Every January 2nd, for example, you can watch the Uchizome-shiki, a ceremony marking the first forging of the year, in which sword smiths dawn their traditional white attire and pound the raw steel with giant hammers, sending out flurries of sparks in the process. It is truly a powerful sight to behold! The swordsmithing demonstration is not held on a daily basis so please use caution when planning a visit.
- Tradition & History
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Basic Information
| Address | 9-1 Minamikasuga-cho, Seki City, Gifu |
|---|---|
| Access | 5-minute walk from the Nagaragawa Railway Hamono Kaikanmae Station |
| Business Hours | 9:00am - 4:30pm |
| Days Closed for Business | Tuesdays, and days following national holidays |
| Price | Adults: 300 yen, High School Students: 200 yen, Middle and Elementary School Studens: 100 yen. |
| Telephone Number | 0575-23-3825 |
| Website | Visit Website |
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