Katana Forging with a Licensed Swordsmith II
Spend an afternoon at a working forge in Gifu,
shaping steel beside one of the few licensed swordsmiths still practising the craft.
- Location
- Seki, Gifu
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Languages
- Japanese, English interpreter
- Group size
- Private, up to 4 guests
Seki has forged blades for over seven hundred years. In this private visit you stand inside a working forge — not behind glass — while a licensed swordsmith heats, hammers, and folds steel a few steps away. (Placeholder page: duplicate of the first Katana Forging tour, to be replaced with the fourth experience.)
- Watch a licensed swordsmith work steel in a 700-year-old sword town
- Small private group: never more than four guests
- English interpreter at your side throughout
A licensed swordsmith
Only a small number of smiths in Japan hold a licence to forge traditional swords.
You would learn from a master whose lineage reaches back generations, in a workshop that opens its doors to just a handful of visitors each year.
For over a decade, she has folded squares of silk into petals a few millimetres wide, a craft called tsumami zaiku that once adorned the hair of Edo-period women.What began as a fascination with a dying technique became a workshop, then a school, then a life. Today her pieces travel abroad with visitors who met her at her bench.
More detailsThe Experience
- 01
13:00
Welcome at the forge
Meet the swordsmith and hear how Seki became a centre of swordmaking, with a look at the tools of the trade.
- 02
13:45
At the anvil
Under close guidance, take part in heating and hammering steel, feeling how the metal moves.
- 03
15:15
Finishing and reflection
See how a blade is refined and polished, and talk with the smith over tea about a lifetime in the craft.
Location & Access
Before You Book
- English interpreter
- All materials and protective wear
- Tea with the swordsmith
- Transportation to Seki
- Personal purchases
Do I need any experience?
None at all. Every step is guided, and the smith adjusts the pace to you.
Ready to experience this yourself?
Plan your visitTrusted by Japan Culture Enthusiasts
It was a Zen-like immersive experience that taught us not only the technique but also the why — the feelings involved, and our connection to the craft. I was deeply moved that the smith remembered us.
S.SIt deepened my appreciation for Japanese culture — its elegance, harmony, and the way tradition is carried with such respect and authenticity.
H.YThe dojo session was a profound cultural exchange. From the first bow to the final cut, I felt the true spirit and warmth of Japanese swordsmanship.
M.JA dream experience! Our teacher was wonderful, kind, and so much fun to learn from. I am so grateful for this authentic and joyful workshop with my family.
I.KOur maker was incredibly warm, ensuring we truly enjoyed learning the history behind every layer of wax. A private class made it even more special.
M.YTake the Craft Home
Original works by our artisans, available in the Japan Documented Shop.
Not sure where to begin?
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