The treasured sword of the Matsudaira

The “Matsudaira” continued for many years as the lord of Shimabara 70,000 koku domain until the end of the Edo period.
The treasured swords of the Matsudaira family, now designated as tangible cultural properties by Nagasaki Prefecture, the Shimabara Castle treasured swords “Shinki” and “Shinsoku” will be unveiled for a short period once a year.
Swords that have been handed down in the Akahoshi family, which served as the blacksmith for the Matsudaira family, as well as swords related to Shimabara, will be on display at the same time.
In commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the castle’s construction, a special exhibition of swords by Dotanuki will also be on display.
On display are “Kyushu Higo Doudanuki Kouzukenosuke,” owned by Tamana City Museum, and “Kyushu Higo Doudanuki Masakuni,” owned by a private individual. Also on display are swords by 10th generation Munehiro, a swordsmith active in the late Edo period, and his apprentice Munehiro, a swordsmith of the Shimabara domain.

Shinki

Made in the Kamakura period. It is said to have been made by Awataguchi Kunitsuna, a swordsmith who was once invited by Hojo Tokiyori, the regent of the shogunate. Designated as a tangible cultural property by Nagasaki Prefecture.

Shinki Tachi sword inscription

“Normally, the sword inscription is engraved on the stem of the sword, but the inscription on the Shinki is engraved on the opposite side of the sword. This is said to be because when the sword was shortened and reworked, it was folded back to preserve the inscription.”

Shinsoku

This sword is said to have been made by a master craftsman in Usa, Buzen Province, during the Daido period as a sword for the protection of Emperor Heijo’s son, but the shape makes it highly likely that, like Jinki, it was made in the Kamakura period.