Some of the Largest Top Museum Collections in Japan

Jussi Ekholm · January 29, 2022

Well I was having bit boring time in a fever, and I won an auction in Japan for a book about swords of the collection of Kurokawa Institute, as they have some amazing items. So an idea came to me that what if I look on some of the most impressive museum collections in Japan and gather that info in a thread. As I have already collected this data actually scooping it together was pretty fast and fun. Here are some absolute top museum collections in Japan, in no particular order. I will mostly list the number of Kokuhō (National Treasure) Jūyō Bunkazai (Important Cultural Property) and Jūyō Bijutsuhin (Important Art Object) swords in the collection. Many of these museums feature amazing items that do not have official designations, and also many have multiple NBTHK designated items.

Tōkyō National Museum - https://www.tnm.jp/

Of course it does not need introductions, collection features 19 Kokuhō, 56 JūBu and 6 JūBi.

Kyōto National Museum - https://www.kyohaku.go.jp/eng/index.html

Similar to above not too much info needed, collection features 3 Kokuhō, 25 JūBu and 2 JūBi.

NBTHK - https://www.touken.or.jp/museum/about/collection.html

The Japanese Sword Museum houses an amazing collection of items. NBTHK is well known for their appraisal papers. The museum collection includes 3 Kokuhō, 13 JūBu and 13 JūBi, and also several Tokubetsu Jūyō swords.

Tokugawa Art Museum - https://www.tokugawa-art-museum.jp/en/about/treasures/sword/

Museum houses over 10,000 artifacts that have been collected by Owari Tokugawa Family. Collection includes 7 Kokuhō, 19 JūBu and 21 JūBi.

Sano Art Museum - https://www.sanobi.or.jp/bijutsukan/collection/japanese_sword.html

Established by Sano Ryūichi in 1966. I think many know their famous exhibitions and amazing books published on them. Collection includes 2 Kokuhō, 8 JūBu and 36 JūBi also several Tokubetsu Jūyō in collection.

Seikado Bunko Art Museum - http://www.seikado.or.jp/en/

Seikado Bunko Library and Art Museum houses Iwasaki family (founder of Mitsubishi group) collection, founder started collecting in 1892. There are 1 Kokuhō, 8 JūBu and 23 JūBi swords in the collection.

Eisei Bunko Museum - https://www.eiseibunko.com/index.html

Houses the collection of Hosokawa family, public museum was opened in 1973. Collection features 4 Kokuhō, 1 JūBu and 1 JūBi.

Kurokawa Insitute of Ancient Cultures - http://www.kurokawa-institute.or.jp/

Research institute established by Kurokawa Family. Collection features 2 Kokuhō, 9 JūBu and 30 JūBi swords.

Tōken World - https://www.touken-world.jp/

This newly established museum in Nagoya has acquired stunning collection of items in fairly short time span. Museum was opened in 2020. The collection has 1 Kokuhō, 10 JūBu, 41 JūBi and 58 Tokubetsu Jūyō swords.

Japan Sword Museum Technology Research Foundation - http://www.nihontou.or.jp/collection.html

This foundation was established in 2015. The collection includes 2 Kokuhō, 20 JūBu, 11 JūBi and 11 Tokubetsu Jūyō swords.

Of course there are lots of other amazing museums in Japan that feature excellent swords and related items. And I did not include any shrines and temples in this list (some of them have spectacular items), as I might do a followup list on some of those. The current location of Kokuhō and Jūyō Bunkazai items can be tracked in here: https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/index as I believe their ownership is required to be informed. For Bijutsuhin items tracking down them is lot more trickier but for them I used the historical info that was on the 80's book series that featured every Bijutsuhin sword, as well as more modern info acquired from several Japanese books and magazines. Of course for the bottom 2 new collections it was easy as they list the items they have. They have acquired lot of Bijutsuhin from previously owned privately and other museums. I would also think that after some older owners have passed away some Jūyō Bijutsuhin swords (and Tokujū etc.) would have been donated to Tokyo & Kyoto National Museums, as well as NBTHK and other museums as well.

I hope this might be interesting to at least some people. :D

b.hennick · January 29, 2022

Thanks so much! I hope that the fever passes early and easily.

Brian · January 29, 2022

Always the most interesting and useful posts Jussi!
I'm going to have to add the list to the FAQ for future reference. Thanks as always!

Bugyotsuji · January 30, 2022

7 hours ago, b.hennick said:

Thanks so much! I hope that the fever passes early and easily.

No, no, no, no, no! Keep that fever going!

NewB · January 30, 2022

I just got fever while looking at the links. Thank you for always bringing to us the most intriguing posts and honest and humble opinion on topics. Cheers (that'll help the fever 🤒 🤗).

John

Jussi Ekholm · July 13, 2022

Well I didn't want to make a new topic for this but as many know I am collecting lot of data about old swords, and I thought I would post this here. Last time I looked through all the items in the new Nagoya museum Tōken World was probably in last summer. I believe since then they have acquired many great items to their collection.

Jūyō Bijutsuhin 41 > 43

Tachi - Munetada: https://www.touken-world.jp/search/72627/

Wakizashi - Nobukuni: https://www.touken-world.jp/search/72492/

Tokubetsu Jūyō 56 > 61

Tachi - Naminohira Yukiyasu (mumei): https://www.touken-world.jp/search/72169/

Tachi - Motoshige: https://www.touken-world.jp/search/80274/

Katana - Rai Kunimitsu (mumei): https://www.touken-world.jp/search/78701/

Katana - Sa Hiroyasu (mumei): https://www.touken-world.jp/search/69238/

Katana - Rai Kuniyuki (kinzōgan): https://www.touken-world.jp/search/80104/

They keep expanding their incredible collection with great items.