The Japanese Sword Museum: A Home for the Best Swords in Japan

Due to the deterioration of its previous home, the Japanese Sword Museum has recently moved to a new site in Sumida-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. The one that responsible for designing the new museum was Maki and Associates under Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai as the client. For more than 50 years, the Japanese Sword Museum exhibits some of the best swords in Japan. It also exists to highlight the development of Japanese swords from weapons to art objects.

The Japanese Sword Museum

The new site is connected to the Kyu-Yasuda Garden which is a part of an 18th century’s Daimyo estate or a living place for upper-class Samurai. Regardless of many changes since that period of time, the garden still maintains much of its original character.

As for the Japanese Sword Museum, it displays a cylindrical volume reaching out to the pond with two wings. It also follows the site lines of the former site of Ryogoku Auditorium with the addition of a vaulted roof where the main exhibition gallery on the third floor is located.

Panoramic Views

The new site has panoramic views of the garden which can be seen from the new terrace outside the exhibition gallery.

Japanese Samurai Culture

The Japanese Sword Museum is intended to display not only the crafts and art aspects of Japanese swords, but also to let the public understand a comprehensive picture of a Japanese samurai culture in line with the adjacent garden.

A Highly Public Neighborhood Amenity

The museum’s ground floor is arranged to house a highly public neighborhood amenity, such as information corner, museum shop, a cafe, and lecture hall.

These spaces can be functioned as a meeting point for the garden visitors.

Move to the second floor, there is workshop area as well as administration offices and storage.

Via E-Architect