Kamakura's swordsmith with 700 years of history

by Eri Y.

(36 reviews)
Last updated : Feb 24, 20232 min read

Masamune Sword and Blade Workshop

Turn left at the first crossroads of Komachi-dori street and walk on across the Yokosuka-line crossing, and you will find Masamune Sword and Blade Workshop on your left.

In the window shine two long swords and a short one called Wakizashi.

The master of this shop is Mr.Tsunahiro Yamamura. He became the successor to the name Tsunahiro (Masamune XXIV) at the age of 29 after passing his swordsmith examination and receiving permission to produce swords.

Goro Nyudo Masamune, the founder of the Soushu tradition

Some 700 years ago, Regent Hojo of the Kamakura shogunate summoned swordsmiths from across the country to Kamakura and Goro Nyudo Masamune was one of those craftsmen who worked for the Kamakura Government. He founded the Soushu tradition based on the traditional standard sword-making styles of the time, and started the distinctive Soushu style by improving upon them. Ever since Hiromasa ( five generations after the original Masamune) took the name Tsunahiro, all of his successors have kept the name until today.  

From the Kamakura period into the twenty-first century

After the abolition of swords by the Meiji government who put an end to the samurai rule, Tsunahiro, two generations ago, learned how to make farming implements from an agricultual bladesmith and went on to expand his business. Since then the traditional swordmaking tecniques have been used to make keener blades for everyday cutlery and tools at the workshop here in Kamakura, once the seat of the shogunate government.

Today Masamune Sword and Blade Workshop is visited by many tourists from within and outside Japan as one of the well-known, long-standing shops in Kamakura.http://www.sword-masamune.com/en/

https://gowithguide.com/japan/tour/kanagawa-walking-four-popular-placeskamakura-tsurugaoka-hachiman-shrine-zeniarai-benten-sasu-168 

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Eri Y.

4.97 / 5
(36 reviews)

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