“Touken Girls” are Increasing!

photo by Kei Nakamura

Japanese women are now into Touken (Japanese swords). Why are they absorbed in such manly and traditional things as Touken?!

The secret behind it is revealed at the exhibition and sale　～The Future of Kawachi Ichimon & Japanese swords ~ Touken Ranbu “Restoration Mikazuki Munechika ” is Coming~ at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi main store in Tokyo . It will be held from August 16 and the Touken exhibited will be made by Japanese swordsmith representative, Kunihira Kawachi and his apprentice.

What makes Japanese swords so attractive ?

Although Touken were formerly made and used as weapons, some of them were carefully succeeded over more than 1000 years and their value as works of art was considered quite high.photo by Kei Nakamura

Look at the pliable warp and sharpened sword. That aura! Just looking at it makes me a little nervous. The swords that Kunihira Kawachi makes are specialized not only in beauty but also in their ability to “cut.”

Look at the finely made waves-like patterns on the sword. This is called “hamon”, which is one of the unique characteristics of Touken. What’s surprising is that just by looking at “hamon” we can identify which Touken were made by which swordsmith. As is shown, each swordsmith can produce his own pattern of “hamon.” Amazing!

And one of the reasons why Touken boom has happened among many Japanese women is “Touken Ranbu-ONLINE- “.

It is a Touken growing SLG (simulation game) in which well-known Touken transform into cool boys, “Touken Danshi” and get over multiple fights. Recently, the story of the game got reproduced into a drama and animation, which has captivated a lot of women.

And… say what?!! It’s been decided that this exhibition is going to collaborate with “Touken Ranbu –ONLINE”!!

Left:The national treasure “Mikazuki Munechika” is restored by Shiro Kunihisa Ishida, a swordsmith of Kawachi Ichimon.

Right:“mikazukimunechika”, a touken danshi in “Touken Ranbu –ONLINE-."

The fans of “Touken Ranbu –ONLINE-“ as well as Touken are riveted to the unprecedented collaboration! Just by looking at the 2 pictures somehow makes me understand why many women fall in love with Touken. Don’t miss it!

■ Information

Location: 7F New Building in Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi main store, Tokyo

Period: 2017 August 16 (Wed) — August 21 (Mon) (Close at 6p.m. on the closing day)

※ FREE!

URL：http://mitsukoshi.mistore.jp/store/nihombashi/index.html

■KOREKORE Aliens：https://www.facebook.com/korekorejapan/