Kōsetsu Samonji, National Treasure tachi sword at Fukuyama Museum of Art, Japan
Kōsetsu Samonji is a tachi sword held at the Fukuyama Museum of Art, designated as a National Treasure of Japan. The blade measures 78 centimeters (31 inches) and shows a wave-pattern tempering with circular shapes near the tip.
The sword was forged during the Nanbokucho period when Samonji Chikuzen created it and the Hojo clan owned it. It later passed into the possession of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who unified the three realms.
The name refers to Samonji, a smith from Chikuzen Province whose works were prized for their refined tempering line. Visitors today can recognize the wave-like structure in the steel, created through traditional folding and hardening.
The museum displays the sword in a climate-controlled environment to prevent damage from moisture or temperature. Visitors can view it during dedicated exhibitions held throughout the year.
The circular shapes near the tip result from a rare hardening technique that only a few smiths mastered. These features allow specialists to identify the hand of the master.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
