Exhibition of Urashima Kotetsu and a Pedigree Chart of the Ikeda Family of Tottori Swordsmiths of Tottori and History of Japanese Swords
Alleged to have been handed down for generations within the Ikeda family of Tottori, Urashima Kotetsu is a short sword created by the excellent swordsmith Nagasone Kotetsu (died 1678). Designated as an important sword by a sword rating organization, this sword has a blade on which a figure of Urashima Taro was carved. Unfortunately, however, the whereabouts of the sword are unknown today. A new version of Urashima Kotetsu from the Heisei Era is exhibited instead in the special exhibition room, along with a pedigree chart of the Ikeda family of Tottori. The new version has been forged elaborately by Kanesaki Hidetoshi, the only contemporary swordsmith of Inaba, Tottori. Since Japanese swords forged by Nagasone Kotetsu, once an armorer, cut very well and boast a beautiful finish, they are very highly regarded as excellent swords. Some have been designated as important cultural assets. In the special exhibition room, you can directly feel an overwhelming atmosphere exuded by the excellent sword, made adhering to Kotetsu’s magnificent sword-making techniques.