The Fascination of Short Swords

“Tantou” is a type of Japanese short sword with almost no curvature. Since ancient times, these short swords have been valued both as tools for protecting oneself and as powerful talismen or amulets, with many masterworks having been passed down through the generations. Among the many swordsmiths, there are those who left behind outstanding examples of Tantou, such as Yoshimitsu Awataguchi, who is called a “master of short swords”, Norishige of Etchu (present day Toyama Prefecture), and Osafune Kagemitsu. In this exhibition, we present a collection of short swords which are considered masterpieces, and hope to convey their appeal and charm to our guests.