Kyoto Prefecture Special Issue｜05

04｜Enjoy Kyoto Spring 2024

Kyoto by the Sea

Forging
Ahead

Nippon GenshoshaNippon Gen shōsha was estab lished in 2019 in Kyōtango City

together was motivated by the belief that one

Yamazoe, and Tomoyuki Miyagi. All threeart of swordsmithing to the next generation.

by Tomoki Kuromoto, Kōsuke

were inspired by the samurai movies of theirchildhood to become swordsmiths and met

as apprentices in Tokyo under one of Japan’s
top swordsmiths. Despite being at different

The Art of Sword Making in Tango

stages of their training, the three became
firm friends.

The work shop i n Kyot a ngo wa s

formerly the home of Yamazoe's grandparents. Kuromoto and Miyagi had no priorconnection to the region, but on discovering
the area’s ancient ironmaking history and a
nearby tombgensho.jpn.com

The decision to establish a workshop

Address: 京丹後市丹後町三宅314
For workshop tours, apply at:www.veltra.com/en/asia/japan/kyoto/a/172363
For crafting experiences, contact Kyoto by the Sea DMO(visit@uminokyoto.jp)

person could not singlehandedly pass on theThree swordsmiths are better than one, so tospeak, when it comes to taking on new challenges. Currently, they are each tacklingsword mak i ng i n t heir ow n u n ique way

while opening the workshop to the public

and exploring the possibilities of swords as

objects of art—they currently offer stunningpieces consisting of a sword suspended in asleek resin panel. One senses the ambition int h is next generat ion ofsword makers.

from whichswords wereunearthed, theysensed the handof destiny.

TamahaganeTamahagane, the raw material for Japanese swords,
is an extremely pure type of steel made from Japan’sunique iron sand.

TSword
A Japanese sword crafted by Tomoki Kuromoto. The
distinctive blade pattern was a signature technique of hismaster. To better appreciate a sword, take note of ●1 the2 the edge pattern (hamon), and ●3overall appearance, ●the visible surface pattern of the steel (jigane). Detailed
explanations are also provided during the workshop tours.

he Tango region is located on theTango Pen insula about 100 k mnorthwest of Kyoto. A mountain-ous, seaside area, it has a climate, history andculture very different to those of the “bigsmoke” of Kyoto, and a more relaxed, ruralfeel. It also boasts a thriving traditional craft
scene—there’s a 1300-year-old silk textile O

pening the door of the forge, we werestruck by the dimly lit interior and roaring pine charcoal fire. On the day weindustry and an 800-year-old papermaking

visited we observed tanren, a critical process in theattracting young artisans from urban areasfolding involves heating a special type of steel called

transplants from Tokyo who moved here tohammers and folded to remove impurities from thetradition still going strong here —t hat isroughly 15 steps of sword making. Tanren or forge

to set up shop here. Among them are threetamahagane, which is repeatedly pounded with large

establish the Japanese sword making work-steel and maximize its strength and toughness.

shop Nippon Genshōsha.

The sparks that fly during forging are from impurities burning off. The steel is folded and hammered
up to 15 times, resulting in 32,768 (2 to the 15thpower) layers.

   

The person managing the flame, called a

The Japanese sword is characterizedyokoza, acts as the leader (on this day it was Kuromo-

sharp single-edged blade (Japanese swords

degrees, out of the flame and taps it lightly with amade with techniques that are centuries old.

across from him take turns to swing their hammer

from the straight swords of the Asian conti-

with a resounding clang each time.

began to emerge. The shape made it easier toand sound of the tamahagane and intervenes as neces-by the beautifully curved and exceptionallyto). He extracts the red-hot tamahagane, heated to 1300

are said to be t he sharpest in t he world)

small hammer, after which the other two standing

The curved blade is thought to have evolved

and pound the tamahagane, sending sparks flying

nent about 900 yea rs ago when sa mura i

The yokoza is constantly checking the color

sary using the small hammer to indicate where andwith what degree of force the next blow should land.

This is fascinating to watch as the sound and rhythmof the hammers varies each time.

The sword-making process continues overseveral days. There’s a process that involves wrapping the harder steel we saw today around softer

access to the sword while on horseback.

steel, which contributes to the sharpness and durabil-considered not only weapons but also works

the sword with a single hammer, and yaki-ire, a pro-for t hei r sha r pness a nd myst ical sheen,

blade to 800 degrees before quenching it in cold

tual powers. The warrior class also cherished

Miyagi explains, "I want to create a strong

Interestingly, Japanese swords are

ity of the blade. This is followed by hizukuri, shapingof art. People have historically revered themcess that further enhances sharpness by heating thebelieving that swords housed gods or spiri-water.

their swords as "the soul of the samurai,"

and beautiful sword that uplifts the spirit of theand tales add to the endless fascination with

an important moment of "quiet reflection between

treating them as protectors. These traditions

person who holds it." He especially considers hizukuri

swords.

the sword and oneself."

We h ad t h e op p or t u n it y t o hold asword ourselves on our visit. It was
profoundly heavy to hold, and we

could feel ourselves tense. The brilliant, gleaming

sword was entirely captivating, a perfect form withnot a single unnecessary element and the exquisitewave-like edge pattern characteristic of the Japanesesword. Our initial fear of holding it was replaced by
a n i ntense sense of emot ion. The swordsm it h’s

single-minded honing of their skills and mind andtheir relentless pursuit of beauty and functionality
all made sense.

Nippon Genshōsha offers several ways inwhich you can experience the wonders of sword

making—something everyone should do at least

once in their lifetime! Choose from shorter experiences such as a forge tour, sword appreciation andk n ife mak ing or f ull-day and t wo-day opt ions.

Understand Japanese swords and you’ll have a greater understanding of Japan itself.