Newly Forged Japanese Katana by Myōchin Munehiro (明珍宗裕) — A Swordsmith from Himeji's Historic Armorer Family

Commission a blade from the three-time Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Prize winner of Himeji

The Myōchin family of Himeji has worked iron for more than eight centuries, first as makers of armor and helmets and later as the creators of the celebrated Myōchin fire tongs (hibashi) and wind chimes. Myōchin Munehiro is the first of the family to become a licensed swordsmith. Since opening his own forge in Himeji in 2005 he has won the highest prizes at the All Japan Swordsmith Association's exhibitions, including the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Prize three times and the Minister of Education Prize at the Omamori-gatana (protective sword) Exhibition. A katana commissioned through Tozando is forged to order by the smith himself and priced as set by the All Japan Swordsmith Association (全日本刀匠会).

On the smith — Myōchin Munehiro (明珍宗裕)

Munehiro was born Myōchin Yūsuke (明珍裕介) in 1974 in Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture, the second son of Myōchin Munenori (明珍宗理), the 52nd head of the family. Tradition holds that the Myōchin name was bestowed on the family by Emperor Konoe in the twelfth century in recognition of their armor-making; in modern times the family is known for its tamahagane fire tongs. His younger brother carries on the family workshop as heir.

Choosing a separate path, Munehiro entered the forge of the swordsmith Kubo Yoshihiro (久保善博) of Hiroshima Prefecture in 1998. He received his swordsmith's license from the Agency for Cultural Affairs in 2003 and opened the Myōchin Munehiro Forge (明珍宗裕鍛刀場) in Yumesaki-chō, Himeji, in 2005. Teacher and pupil have also worked together on the family's craft, forging tamahagane for Myōchin fire tongs.

Awards and recognition

Munehiro received an Effort Prize at a new-sword exhibition in 2007. At the All Japan Swordsmith Association's Shinsaku Nihontō Kenma Gaisō Tōshoku Gijutsu Tenrankai (Exhibition of Newly Made Japanese Swords and Craft Techniques) he won the Gold Prize, first place, at the first exhibition in 2010, followed by the Special Prize, first place, with the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Prize at the 3rd, 5th and 7th exhibitions (2012, 2014 and 2016). He later added the Nagano Governor's Prize (2019) and the Gold Prize, second place (2021).

At the Omamori-gatana Exhibition he has received the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Prize along with the Osaka, Okayama and Kumamoto Governors' Prizes. He was awarded the Hyōgo Prefecture Art Encouragement Prize in 2013, the Himeji City Art and Culture Encouragement Prize in 2017, and an Encouragement Prize at the Heisei no Meitō Meikō-ten (Heisei Masterpiece Swords and Swordsmiths Exhibition) in 2019.

Notable commissions and exhibitions

In 2018 Munehiro forged the tantō presented as the Metropolitan Police Commissioner's Special Award. His work has been shown at the Hyōgo Prefectural Museum of Art (2017), artKYOTO 2020 at the Kyoto National Museum, the Meiji Jingu Museum (2022) and inside the main keep of Himeji Castle (2023), a rare honor for a living craftsman.

Style — tradition carried into a new craft

Munehiro forges his own tamahagane (traditional Japanese steel) and folds it repeatedly to build a dense, strong jigane. He regards the hamon as the part of the sword that most directly reflects the smith's own sensibility, and he has spoken of drawing inspiration for his tempering from the clouds of a summer sky. His aim is to honor the iron-working heritage of the Myōchin family while opening a new chapter for it in swordmaking.

A commissioned katana by Myōchin Munehiro unites one of Japan's oldest iron-working names with a smith at the height of his powers. It is a blade made for one owner, to be handed down as a family treasure. Please contact us to discuss specifications and lead time.

Smith profile

• Swordsmith name: Myōchin Munehiro (明珍宗裕)
• Real name: Myōchin Yūsuke (明珍裕介)
• Born: 1974, Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture; second son of Myōchin Munenori, 52nd head of the Myōchin family
• Teacher: Kubo Yoshihiro (久保善博), from 1998
• Swordsmith license: 2003 (Agency for Cultural Affairs)
• Forge established: 2005, Myōchin Munehiro Forge, Yumesaki-chō, Himeji
• Major awards: Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Prize ×3 (2012, 2014, 2016); Minister of Education Prize, Omamori-gatana Exhibition
• Other honors: Hyōgo Prefecture Art Encouragement Prize (2013); Himeji City Art and Culture Encouragement Prize (2017)
• Specialty: Self-forged tamahagane; hamon as personal expression
• Price: set by the All Japan Swordsmith Association (全日本刀匠会)