Sword lovers finally get some recognition!

Was sword-loving just a hobby for old folks in the past?

When I first encountered swords, they were probably just a hobby for a select few older men.

Local archives and small museums held sword exhibitions about once a year, but I never openly said, "I love looking at swords!" nor did I invite anyone to come with me to the sword exhibition I'm going to next time.

When I went to an exhibition, there were usually local fans, such as members of a sword-loving club, taking care of the swords and having a great time together.

Amidst all this, I may have felt a bit out of place, quietly gazing at the sword.

Even so, the sword-loving elderly men would quietly ask me, "You like swords, don't you?" and often tell me stories about the swords on display.

The "sword boom" sparked by Touken Ranbu

Even if my relationship with my sword doesn't change, the world will change.

As a result of the influence of anime and games, a sword boom occurred, especially among women and children, and the museum, which had been holding a small sword exhibition, also held a collaboration exhibition with "Touken Ranbu," attracting many women and parents and children from all over the country to see the swords.

The game "Touken Ranbu" is a popular work that features characters that are personified swords.

It sparked a huge boom, especially among women, and the wave even reached a small local museum.

As expected of a museum that originated from the Kyogoku family, it seems that the swords that actually appear in the game are in their possession. The Touken Ranbu collaboration exhibition is possible because it is not a borrowed sword but a sword in their possession, and the admission fee is free as usual.

The atmosphere was almost like a festival, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that the number of visitors was so high that it exceeded the museum's annual number of visitors in one day.

The exhibitions before the boom were completely quiet, with only a few people there besides me looking at the swords.

I've always looked at swords secretly with local people who love swords, but the "swords at the popular exhibition" aren't bad either. I'm sure the swords being looked at are also surprised by how fresh they are.

A must-see for sword fans! The legendary "Nikkari Aoe"

After the boom, the sword, which transformed the atmosphere into one of enthusiastic excitement with families and young women cheering in excitement, is commonly known as "Nikkari Aoe."

It has been recognized as an Important Cultural Property, but that is not all.

There is a glittering story behind it, which is said to have been passed down from Niwa Nagahide, a vassal of Oda Nobunaga, to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and then from Hideyori to the Kyogoku family, and which includes the names of famous Sengoku period warlords.

In addition, he also has this anecdote.

"One night, as a samurai was walking, a young woman appeared before him. Her grinning face stood out in the moonlight. The samurai was so taken by the eerieness of her smile that he instinctively attacked her with his sword, and at that moment the surroundings were enveloped in silence. The next morning, he found the stone lantern split in half." This is a typical ghost story from the Nanboku-cho period.

These kinds of explanations are clearly written in the display cases at Nikkari Aoe, and are sure to stop visitors in their tracks.

Touken Ranbu and the younger generation: Sword exhibition opens new doors

The swords have been there since ancient times, but as the surrounding circumstances change, more and more people want to see the swords.

This is likely due not only to the influence of games and anime, but also to increased interest in Japanese culture and history.

The sword exhibition has become a new gateway for the younger generation to enjoy history.

Now, when I say, "Actually, I like looking at swords," I can have a conversation with someone who responds with, "What? You too?" or, "Oh really! Swords are cool."

For a long time, it was difficult to come out about one's interest in swords.

It may be similar to the feeling of liking sake, but being hesitant to order it because you're afraid you'll be seen as a heavy drinker.