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At the Kuwana City Museum's spring special exhibition, "Touken Dazzling (Genyo) ―Reviving Muramasa at Kuwana Sosha Shrine―," they will unveil two pieces of lacquer-polished Mie Prefecture designated cultural property, "Tachi Inscribed Muramasa" (Kuwana Sosha Shrine Collection), and exhibit treasures handed down at Kuwana Sosha Shrine. In addition, special exhibits "The World of Misaki Family Documents" and "Sword Collection Ⅳ" will also be held at the same time. Venue: Kuwana City Museum (Mie) Admission fee ｜ 150 yen for high school students and above, free for junior high school students and below For more information click here.

Displaying precious Yamato Japanese swords, including the national treasure "Tachi, Inscribed Yasutsugu" and a replica of the "Shichiseiken" associated with Prince Shotoku. Paintings and calligraphies related to Bushido will also be on display. To find out more click here.

The Japan Art Fair (JAF) celebrates the enduring legacy of Japanese culture, bringing together extraordinary artifacts that reflect over a millennium of artistry and tradition. From samurai weapons and armor to timeless antiques, JAF offers a captivating exploration of Japan’s rich and storied history. For more information click here.

Gifu Prefecture Museum is celebrating it's 50th anniversary of opening with a very special exhibition featuring the Tokugawa Art Museum's sword collection, which is associated with the Owari Tokugawa family, to commemorate this occasion. Boasting one of the nation's leading collections of samurai culture, the Tokugawa Art Museum has been home to swords associated with the Owari domain and the Owari Tokugawa family for generations, all made up of bequests from Tokugawa Ieyasu. They are unrivaled not only in their "quality," each with its own history, but also in their "quantity," which counts hundreds of items. Among these, hidden behind famous swords and specialties, there are quite a few swords made by Mino blacksmiths that have been missed from public display until now. This exhibition provides a comprehensive introduction to swords from the Tokugawa Art Museum's collection, including swords from Mino and Owari, which have rarely been on public display until now. During the Sengoku period, Mino swords, which were forged and used locally by the people of Japan as practical swords, were praised for their sharpness and ease of use, but their value was often overlooked. These unknown masterpieces of Mino swords, which will be brought together to mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Gifu Prefectural Museum, are likely to be of great significance to the public in Gifu. For more information please click here.

The Honnō-ji Treasure Hall Museum, in Kyoto will be hosting the "Five Sword Traditions Exhibition". The first exhibition will focus on the "Yamashiro and Yamato traditions." The exhibits include masterpieces from each of the schools, including Gosanjo, Senjuin, Yasumasa, Tegaki, and Shirikake. Oshigata swords are also displayed along themes, including Gojo Kuninaga, Ryumon, and Touma. For more information click here.

The Nagoya Sword Museum "Nagoya Token World" (Naka Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture) will hold a special exhibition "A Grand Collection of Various Swords". When you hear "Japanese sword," many people probably imagine the swords worn by samurai at their waists. However, the world of Japanese swords is incredibly diverse. In addition to name changes based on length, such as "tachi," "uchigatana," "wakizashi," and "tanto," "naginata" (a polearm with a sword blade at the end of a long handle) and "ken" (a double-edged sword) are also included in the family of Japanese swords. This exhibition allows you to see the history of swords spanning approximately 1,000 years, from the Heian period to the Heisei period, all in one place. Even if you are not very knowledgeable about swords, you are very welcome. Please experience how the shapes and uses of swords changed with each era through actual artifacts.

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, located in Tenmon, northwest of Kyoto, is a shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane. To mark the 1,125th anniversary of Michizane's death in 2027, the Kyoto National Museum will hold a special exhibition showcasing 17 National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties from Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, as well as items related to Tenjin worship from across Japan. For the first time ever, the entire Kitano Tenjin Engi Emaki (Jokyu Version), a National Treasure, will be on display, along with many other Important Cultural Properties, including the Koan Version, Mitsunobu Version, and Mitsuoki Version, showcasing the legendary birth of Kitano Tenjin. Also, the two tachi swords "Higekiri" and "Hizamaru", both designated Important Cultural Properties and held by the Kitano Tenamngu Shrine and Daikakuji Temple respectively, will be on display for the first time together during this special exhibition. And further more, the Kyoto National Museum has advised that Photography will be OK! Additionally, through works discovered through research by the Kyoto National Museum and the Kitano Cultural Research Institute, as well as a number of masterpieces handed down at Tenmangu Shrines, Tenjin Shrines, and temples throughout Japan, the exhibition will unravel the diverse aspects of Tenjin worship that have not been discussed much until now, and the important role that these have played in Japanese culture. Held in the 1F-2 exhibition room of the Heisei Chishinkan Wing of the Kyoto National Museum. To find out more click here.

Osaka Katana‑za returns to Shiromi Hall inside Osaka Castle! Osaka Katana-za is West Japan’s largest Japanese sword and sword-fittings exhibition and immediate sales event. Held annually in Osaka, it brings together over 40 top dealers, together with sword collectors, and sword professionals from across Japan. Unlike museums, Katana-za is a commercial exhibition, meaning all items on display are available for purchase. It is a rare opportunity to examine high-level Nihontō in person, speak directly with dealers, and handle pieces that seldom appear outside Japan. Dates: Saturday, March 28 & Sunday, March 29, 2026 Venue: Osaka Castle Hall – Jōken Hall Time: 10:00 – 17:00 (last entry 16:30) Admission fee: 1,000 yen on the day, 900 yen advance Lawson ticket code 55755 For more information please click here.

Nagoya Sword Museum will be hosting it's very first exhibition of the now world famous tachi MIKAZUKI KANEMITSU that was purchased at Sotherby's from the Paul L. Davidson collection on the 25th March 2025 for an undisclosed amount via silent auction. This exhibition will only feature Bizen Swords showcasing the brilliant works of sword smiths active in Bizen Province (present-day Okayama Prefecture). There are going to be a proverbial festival of swords on display, see here. This is probably one of the most anticipated Nihonto exhibitions of the year. Prices: Adult: 1,200 yen Senior (65 years and older): 1,000 yen University: 500 yen Students: 300 yen Disabilities: Free For more information click here.