Polskie Stowarzyszenie Miecza Japońskiego

17/09/2026

I will be speaking in Taipei, Taiwan at the Japanese sword event.

06/09/2026

🔥 Tragic loss in Yamaguchi, Japan. 💔

Sianji, a 760-year-old Buddhist temple in Yamaguchi, located in the agricultural district of Sanyo-Onoda in Asama, Yamaguchi Prefecture, was reported to have burned down again on Tuesday morning - the second devastating fire this year. 🥀🙏

A heartbreaking loss of centuries-old history, culture and faith.

04/09/2026

03/09/2026

📅Ambasada Japonii zaprasza na wystawę „Andrzej Wajda. Rysując Japonię”, która odbędzie się w terminie 10 września – 16 października br. w Wydziale Informacji i Kultury Ambasady Japonii przy Al. Ujazdowskich 51 (4. piętro) 🎌 Na wystawie zaprezentowane zostaną oryginały rysunków i szkiców Andrzeja Wajdy inspirowane Japonią ze zbiorów Muzeum Manggha w Krakowie. Wstęp wolny! ✨

25/08/2026

In an extraordinary scene at Hirosaki Castle in Aomori Prefecture, around 1,000 people gathered on August 23, 2026, to pull a historic 400-ton castle keep 109 centimeters closer to its original foundation—using nothing more than massive ropes, teamwork, and human strength.

The incredible event is part of the week-long “Hipparu! Kepparu! Hirosaki Castle” festival, running from August 21 to 28. Participants were selected by lottery and divided into 14 groups, working together to pull the castle as it rests on a specialized moving system. More than 4,000 people are expected to participate throughout the festival, with the goal of manually moving the castle approximately 5 meters during the public pulling events.

But why is Japan moving an entire castle?

Back in 2015, Hirosaki Castle’s massive keep was moved approximately 78 meters away from its original location—without dismantling the historic structure. The extraordinary engineering operation was necessary because the castle’s supporting stone walls had deteriorated badly and faced a serious risk of collapse. Experts needed to repair the centuries-old stone foundations before the keep could safely return.

Now, after years of restoration work, the historic keep is finally beginning its journey home. The public pulling event represents just the beginning—the remaining distance will be handled by specialized technical crews, with the entire 78-meter return journey expected to be completed by November 2026.

The celebration surrounding the return is just as spectacular. The festival began with projection mapping, drone light shows, fireworks and nighttime illuminations, turning a major preservation project into a once-in-a-lifetime community celebration.

Hirosaki Castle is one of Japan’s rare surviving original Edo-period castle keeps, making its preservation especially significant. The complete restoration of the surrounding castle grounds is expected to continue until fiscal year 2033, when the site is planned to fully reopen to the public.

From a 400-ton historic structure being moved by thousands of ordinary people to a centuries-old castle slowly returning home, Hirosaki is showing the world that Japan’s history isn’t just being preserved—it’s being carried into the future by the people themselves. 🇯🇵❤️

23/08/2026

16/08/2026

▪️Yamato no Kami Yoshimichi

This blade is signed by Yamato no Kami Yoshimichi(大和守吉道), whose real name was Mishina Uemon (三品宇右衛門). He was active in sword-forging during the early Edo period(1652-1675) in Osaka. He was the second son of the first-gen Osaka Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi(大阪丹波守吉道). Yamato no Kami Yoshimichi belonged to Osaka Mishina school, so as his father.

Osaka Mishina School ＆His father
Mishina school’s founder Kanemichi(兼道) was originally from Mino province, exclusively forging blades for Shingen Takeda, a famous feudal lord. Later on, he moved to Kyoto by bringing his four sons and founded his school named Mishina(三品) in Kyoto. Mishina school was one of the most prospered ones during the early Edo period.
One of Kanemichi’s sons was Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi, the father of the first-gen Osaka Tanbo no Kami Yoshimichi. They were also known as very famous swordsmiths.
Osaka Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi initially forged swords under his father’s school in Kyoto but moved to Osaka and founded Osaka Mishina school. Yamato no Kami Yoshimichi was his son and dedicated his career to gaining the fame of Osaka Mishina school with his father in Osaka during the early Edo period. And we assume this Wakizashi was originally made for a high-ranked Samurai officer.

More information
https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/shop/product/antique-japanese-sword-katana-signed-by-yamato-no-kami-yoshimichinbthk-tokubetsu-hozon-certificate/