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On the morning of April 13, during peak commuting hours, a 32-year-old Turkish man was arrested for trespassing on railway tracks in Aisai City, part of the Nagoya metropolitan area in Aichi, Japan.

At around 7:45 a.m., multiple reports were made about a person standing on the tracks near a bridge over the Nikko River on the Meitetsu Tsushima Line. Police responded and arrested the suspect, identified as Ozgur Isik, on the spot for violating railway laws.

He was reportedly shirtless and carrying tools at the time. Authorities are currently investigating his motive.

Due to the incident, train services on the Meitetsu Tsushima Line between Sukaguchi and Tsushima stations were suspended for about an hour, affecting approximately 2,500 commuters.

An Iranian man has been arrested for allegedly driving without a license on the Nagoya Expressway, crashing into a truck, injuring the driver, and fleeing the scene.

According to police, the suspect is 41-year-old unemployed Iranian national Samar Ali.

Police say that in October last year, Ali was driving a passenger car without a license on the inbound lanes of the Nagoya Expressway in Yayoi-cho, Komaki City, when he rear-ended a truck and caused minor injuries to the 33-year-old driver before fleeing the scene.

After the crash, Ali reportedly abandoned the vehicle at the site and escaped on foot. Police identified him through expressway surveillance camera footage and witness information.

During questioning, Ali has reportedly remained silent.

This tachi was forged in 1317 during the late Kamakura period by Sugawara Tametō, a swordsmith believed to have inherited the tradition of the famed Fukuoka Ichimonji school.

The inscription states that Tametō lived in Karakawa, near the border of Bizen and Bitchū Provinces in present-day Okayama Prefecture.

What makes this sword especially important is its unusually detailed signature. Outside the Osafune school, it was rare for Bizen swordsmiths of this era to include both their place of residence and an official court title in the inscription. The blade is also precisely dated to 1317, suggesting it may have been made for a special commission.

The sword has a graceful tachi shape with a refined and restrained temper pattern, reflecting the elegant style of late Kamakura-period Bizen craftsmanship.

Today, the blade is regarded as an important historical reference for the study of medieval Bizen swords.

Photo taken at Touken World Nagoya by Nagoya Explorers

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#Bizen #Ichimonji #SamuraiHistory #FeudalJapan
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This magnificent tachi was forged in 1360 by Kanemitsu, one of the greatest masters of the Bizen Osafune school during the late Kamakura and Nanbokuchō periods.

Known as “Mikazuki Kanemitsu” (“Crescent Moon Kanemitsu”), the sword was treasured by the powerful Uesugi clan and counted among the famous “35 Selected Swords” personally preserved by Uesugi Kagekatsu, heir to the legacy of Uesugi Kenshin.

The nickname comes from crescent moon-shaped yubashiri — bright mist-like activity appearing across the blade’s surface.

Unlike many oversized Nanbokuchō-era tachi that were shortened in later centuries, this sword remarkably survives in its original length of over 80 cm with its original tang intact.

Kanemitsu was deeply influenced by the Sōshū tradition associated with Masamune, and this blade beautifully combines elegant Bizen craftsmanship with the powerful steel activity of the Sōshū style.

Another highlight is the dramatic carving of a Kurikara dragon engraved on the blade.

Although now ranked as a “Tokubetsu Jūyō Tōken” (Especially Important Sword), the sword was reportedly once considered for National Treasure designation. It later spent many years in the United States before eventually returning to Japan.

Photo taken at Touken World Nagoya by Nagoya Explorers

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On May 6, a 14-year-old Filipino junior high school student was arrested in connection with an attempted murder case in downtown Nagoya.

According to police, the boy allegedly conspired with another person to attack an 18-year-old man in a parking lot in Sakae, Naka Ward. The victim suffered cuts to his cheek and nose from a knife-like weapon.

Police said the suspect and the victim had argued shortly before the incident. Surveillance camera footage helped identify the boy.

Authorities have not disclosed whether he admits to the allegations. Police are still searching for the second suspect involved in the attack.

Early on the morning of the 26th in Tsushima City, Aichi Prefecture, a passenger car fleeing from a police patrol crashed into a vacant house. The driver, a Turkish national, was arrested on suspicion of obstructing a public officer in the execution of duties.

According to police, at around 5:20 a.m. on the 26th, a patrol car on duty spotted a vehicle swerving on a road in Kamimori-cho, Tsushima City, and signaled it to stop. The car suddenly accelerated and crashed into an unoccupied house about 150 meters ahead.

After the crash, during questioning, the driver grabbed a police officer by the chest, leading officers to arrest 27-year-old Furkan Al-Muhammad, a Turkish national of unknown occupation, on the spot for alleged obstruction of official duties.

During questioning, the suspect partially denied the charge, stating, “It’s true that I grabbed his chest, but I did it because my body hurt and I wanted help.”

This katana was forged about 400 years ago by Mino no Kami Masatsune, successor to the renowned Masatsune lineage of Owari Province.

The first-generation Sagami no Kami Masatsune was originally born in Mino Province and later moved to Kiyosu in Owari under the patronage of Fukushima Masanori.

Together with Hōki no Kami Nobutaka and Hida no Kami Ujifusa, he became celebrated as one of the “Owari Sansaku” — the Three Great Swordsmiths of Owari.

This blade was made by the later smith known as Mino no Kami Masatsune, who inherited the techniques of the first-generation master after becoming his adopted heir.

The sword reflects the bold “Keichō Shintō” style of the Momoyama and early Edo periods, with a wide and powerful shape favored by samurai of the era.

An especially rare feature is the smith’s kaō — a stylized personal seal — engraved on the tang.

Photo taken at Touken World Nagoya by Nagoya Explorers

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This tachi was forged about 750 years ago by Kunimune, better known as “Bizen Saburō Kunimune.”

Born into the Naomune branch of the Osafune tradition in Bizen Province (present-day Okayama), Kunimune was invited to Kamakura at just 18 years old by Hōjō Tokiyori, the fifth regent of the Kamakura shogunate.

Alongside renowned smiths such as Awataguchi Kunitsuna, Kunimune helped establish the foundations of the influential Sōshū tradition, one of the greatest schools in Japanese sword history.

Tradition also holds that Shintōgo Kunimitsu — regarded as the true founder of the Sōshū style — was Kunimune’s son.

The blade reflects the bold elegance associated with Kamakura-period tachi and preserves a powerful signature of “Kunimune” on the tang.

Photo taken at Touken World Nagoya by Nagoya Explorers

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This elegant kodachi (short tachi sword) was made about 730 years ago during the late Kamakura period.

It was crafted by Nagamitsu, one of the greatest masters of the Bizen Osafune school in present-day Okayama. He was the son of Mitsutada, founder of the Osafune tradition, and became its second head master. Together, they helped define the golden age of Bizen swordmaking.

The blade measures 61.3 cm and retains the graceful proportions characteristic of Kamakura-period kodachi.

A rare and highly important masterpiece from the golden age of samurai swords.

Photo taken at Touken World Nagoya by Nagoya Explorers

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Toganji temple in Nagoya city is a Soto Zen temple established around 1700, known for its large green Buddha statue.

This powerful tachi, forged about 650 years ago during the Nanbokuchō period, was made by Naotsuna of Iwami Province (present-day Shimane).

Naotsuna is sometimes associated with the tradition of Masamune, and his work reflects the bold Sōshū-style that defined one of the greatest eras of Japanese swordmaking.

This blade was preserved by the Katagiri clan, lords of Koizumi Domain. The family included notable historical figures such as Katagiri Katsumoto, one of the famed “Seven Spears of Shizugatake,” and Katagiri Sekishū, a renowned tea master who served the Tokugawa shogunate.

The sword reflects the bold proportions favored during the Nanbokuchō period and captures the powerful spirit associated with Sōshū-inspired blades.

Photo taken at Touken World Nagoya by Nagoya Explorers

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Three foreign nationals have been arrested for allegedly smuggling methamphetamine mixed into cotton, according to Aichi Prefectural Police.

The suspects are 50-year-old British national Mohammed Abed and two Nepali men. Police say the group imported about 215 kilograms of methamphetamine from the United Arab Emirates in March, with an estimated street value of around ¥11.4 billion (about US$73 million).

The drugs were reportedly discovered inside a container sent to a company in Toyokawa City. Nagoya Customs found cotton containing methamphetamine and alerted police.

Police have not disclosed whether the suspects admit to the allegations. Investigators believe an international criminal organization may be involved.

This elegant tachi, forged about 620 years ago in 1403, was made by Osafune Shigesue of the famous Bizen Osafune school.

The blade has a graceful deep curve typical of high-quality ceremonial and battlefield tachi of the period. Its temper pattern shows lively clove-shaped and wave-like elements inspired by the celebrated Ichimonji tradition of the Kamakura era.

This sword was likely made as a jin-tachi — a carefully crafted battlefield tachi commissioned for a high-ranking samurai.

A refined yet powerful example of early Muromachi-period sword craftsmanship.

Photo taken at Touken World Nagoya by Nagoya Explorers

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This katana was forged about 500 years ago by Magoroku Kanemoto, the famed second-generation Kanemoto of Mino Province, widely known as “Seki no Magoroku.”

Among the many swordsmiths of Sengoku-era Seki, Kanemoto was especially admired for practical battlefield swords of exceptional cutting ability. His blades were ranked among the highest class of cutting swords, known as Saijō Ōwazamono.

Kanemoto is also famous for the distinctive sanbonsugi (“three cedar trees”) temper pattern, which later generations of swordsmiths continued to emulate. In this blade, the pattern is still irregular and expressive, showing the earlier style before it became more standardized.

Most surviving works by Magoroku Kanemoto are relatively short, reflecting the popularity of one-handed swords during the late Muromachi period. Even after being shortened, however, this blade still exceeds 75 cm in length, making it an especially rare example.

The sword is mounted in a late Edo-period half-tachi style mounting, and the bamboo-and-sparrow crest suggests it was once owned by the Date clan of Sendai.

Photo taken at Touken World Nagoya by Nagoya Explorers

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Tozanso, located in Nagoya’s Mizuho Ward, is a historic villa that exemplifies early 20th-century Japanese architecture and garden design. Constructed along the Yamazaki River, it has evolved from a private retreat to a cultural asset open to the public.

This impressive katana, forged about 400 years ago, was made by Harima no Kami Kanetaka, a master associated with the Mino tradition.

The blade was passed down within the Makino clan, the feudal lords of Nagaoka Domain in present-day Niigata. The Makino family served Tokugawa Ieyasu even before the famous Battle of Sekigahara in 1600.

This katana is regarded as one of the finest surviving works by Kanetaka and reflects the bold style favored in the early Edo period.

Photo taken at Touken World Nagoya by Nagoya Explorers

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The Aichi-Nagoya War Museum is located in a historic building completed in 1933.

Its old architecture and atmosphere reflect the history of prewar Nagoya.

This unsigned katana is attributed to Rai Kuninaga, a disciple of the celebrated Rai Kunitoshi of the Rai school.

Kuninaga later moved from Kyoto to Nakajima in Settsu Province (present-day Osaka area), and works from this branch became known as “Nakajima Rai.”

The sword is regarded as a fine example of the refined Kyoto swordmaking tradition of the Kamakura period.

An appraisal document written in 1734 by Honami Kōyū survives with the blade, and historical records in the Tokugawa Jikki may reference this very sword.

Photo taken at Touken World Nagoya by Nagoya Explorers

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Kissa Nanaban located near Fushimi station, Nagoya is an appropriate place for working with PC.

This katana was forged by Kanenaga, a disciple of the famed Chōgi of the Osafune school in Bizen Province.

Like his master, Kanenaga worked in the dramatic Sōden-Bizen style — a fusion of traditional Bizen techniques with the powerful influence of the Sōshū tradition.

The blade has the wide shape and extended tip typical of the Nanbokuchō period (1300s).
Its vivid temper pattern features waves, clove shapes, bright activity along the edge, and flowing lines of hardened steel, creating an especially dynamic appearance.

Interestingly, the tang bears a gold-inlaid attribution added in 1686 by Honami Mitsutsune, one of the most influential sword appraisers of the Edo period.

The inscription confirms the blade as a work of Kanenaga and reflects the high regard it received centuries after it was forged.

Photo taken at Touken World Nagoya by Nagoya Explorers

#Samurai #Katana #JapaneseSword #SamuraiHistory #Nanbokucho
#FeudalJapan #JapaneseHistory #HiddenJapan #HistoryLovers
#Nagoya #NagoyaTravel #VisitNagoya #JapanTrip #TravelJapan