Atsu Tōshirō, Traditional Japanese tantō at Tokyo National Museum, Japan
The Atsu Tōshirō is a short Japanese blade made of steel, roughly 28 centimeters long and displayed in the permanent collection of Tokyo National Museum. The steel shows the careful shaping and heat treatment that medieval craftspeople used to create blades that were both strong and sharp.
The blade was forged around 1300 by master swordsmith Awataguchi Yoshimitsu during the Kamakura period. This era saw Japanese sword-making reach new heights of technical skill and refinement in metalworking.
This short blade reflects the deep respect for sword-making skill that shaped Japanese society for centuries. The name itself refers to the thickness and quality of the steel, qualities that craftspeople saw as marks of true mastery.
The blade is on view at Tokyo National Museum in the Taitō district and can be seen in the permanent collection. It is kept in a controlled display area since it is a designated national treasure with special preservation requirements.
The blade's unusual thickness for a short sword gives it its name and special durability. This quality made it valued for both combat and everyday tasks in medieval Japan.
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