Learn sword-making with Fusahiro, one of Japan's last remaining katana makers
3 hour private experience
Location: Honjowaseda, Saitama
Led by Fusahiro in Japanese, with a friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in your language
Meet the master
The National Museum in Ueno was where Fusahiro, a professional katana craftsman, saw his first katana. The museum visit was a middle school class trip, and it was the start of Fusahiro’s fascination with katana. Since then he’s been forged these protective swords in Tokyo for over 20 years.
What you’ll do
Learn about the history and philosophy of Japanese sword making and then watch a demonstration by Fusahiro. Next, get hands-on and experience forging the iron sand, tamahagane (gem steel/ jewel steel) with a hammer. Wrap things up with a photo session, posing with a completed Japanese Katana made by Fusahiro!
Note, you will not be take the sword home. If you are interested in purchasing a katana, see here for more info.
Who can attend
Children must be 7+
Availability
Everyday
Session 1 (13:30 - 16:30)
Access
70 min from Tokyo station.
(50 min Shinkansen ride + 20 min taxi ride from Honjo-Waseda Station)
What to wear
Clothing and close-toed shoes you wouldn’t mind getting dirty or potentially affected by spark burns. We recommend clothes that cover your arms and legs (See Things to Note below).
What else you should know
You will need to take a taxi (20 minute ride) to and from the studio. The roundtrip taxi fare will be around 6000 JPY. If you would like to pay via credit card instead of cash, our interpreter guide can help you locate a taxi that accepts card.
This experience is held at an actual swordsmith studio where hot sparks are flying during the sword forging process. As such, please dress accordingly. You will be situated a safe distance away from the fire and in addition we will provide goggles and masks.
Breathtaking craftsmanship
The Japanese katana is often idealized as the deadly weapon of samurai. What might be not as well known is that the katana is not only a weapon but that it symbolizes “protection” both against physical and immaterial foes. At Fusahiro’s studio, a special type of katana, the “mamori gatana” is produced, which is a talisman sword used in particular for spiritual protection. In fact, these swords were traditionally enshrined in Japanese homes to ward off evil and were part of various ceremonies and rituals for protective measures. Samurai, the warrior class, were expected to follow the codes of honor and ideals taught by the Bushido, “the way of warriors” in how they used katana, including the mamori gatana. During the Meiji period, special samurai privileges were taken away and samurai classes were gradually disbanded with the modernization of Japan. Then, after World War II, the manufacturing and martial art practices using katana were banned. As a result, many swordsmiths fell out of business, and the katana craft dwindled. These days, there are approximately only 150 swordsmiths in Japan due to the difficulty in getting a national certification and the aging population. Witness the creation of this powerfully symbolic sword with a Japanese swordsmith at this Hagane Katana experience.
