Date City Museum of History and Culture’s Japanese Swordsmith Workshop: Watch the Forging of Japan’s Iconic Swords

Sohei Watanabe has practiced the art of sword-making for over 40 years. The creation of Japanese swords is a very complex and arduous process whose artistry has been all but lost. Don’t miss the chance to watch this cultural tradition so central to the samurai lovingly preserved. Visit Mr. Watanabe’s workshop to learn about the history and techniques of sword-making in the Heian (794-1185) and Kamakura (1185-1333) periods from the man himself. Then, be dazzled by his demonstration of the historic art of tempering a blade.