Window display of Masamune samurai swords in Tsunahiro Yamamura’s workshop.
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Thank you for the great info on Yamamura’s workshop. Three questions: 1. Do you need to make reservations for a visit, or can you drop-in? 2. Are swords available for purchase at the workshop? 3. What are the prices for a custom made katana?
You normally can just drop-in and purchase what is on display at the store in front of the workshop. These swords were on display at the store. I didn’t inquire if they were for sale (there were no price tags, which is usually the case when items are very expensive — inquiries are made by serious buyers, I suppose).
When we went there, it was after a request to visit, and you might want to do that if you want to watch Mr Yamamura at work. There is a large open window to his workshop from which you can view. Women are forbidden to enter the workshop (Shinto religion). You might be able to catch Yamamura at work, otherwise, his apprentices.
The price of the blade of a samurai sword is ¥1.9 million. On top of that, you have to add the price of the handle, the sheath, the tsuba, etc.
First of all, I don’t think you have any business having a sword unless you have earned the right to do so. A Japanese samurai sword is a very sacred thing to own. So, putting a price tag of 1.9 million seems very rich.
John 1.9 m yen is not expensive, and if you knew anything about what you were talking about you would know that for iaido masters and members of traditional ryus the individual member has a swotd made specifically for him.
The same is the way in the European tradition.
Please do not embarass westeners in front of our Japanese friends. maybe you should consider a wooden sword.
I don’t know since I’ve never travelled with a sword before in my luggage. A friend of mine gave me a French sword as a gift and he sent it by mail. To avoid any possible problems at the airport, I suggest you mail the sword to your home address.
1.9M Yen is about 20,000 US dollars (At the time of this post), which would be considered only for the extremely wealthy. That may not seem like a lot for a Samurai sword, especially from such a living legend, but it is still expensive, no matter how you slice it.
Wow, when I converted 1.9M Yen to US dollars I almost spit out my coffee. $20,000 is most certainly expensive and no ordinary middle class family could ever afford one of those swords. It would certainly be nice though.
at first i pay thanks for all these information.
i love japan from my very chilhood-for no reason.but it is a long passionate journey.
the philosophy which makes a samurai-
earns regard from my deepest core of heart.
and i am paying my “pranam” to Mr.Yamamura.
i dreamed for a samurai sword.
my pocket is too poor for that.
but my life is enough rich to earn a samurai sword.
pray,once i will achive it.
Wow. I’m from Norway and I just calculated the price. 1.9 million yen is 6 months payment for the average worker in Norway.
I’ll just continue my kendo practice and hope for a Yamamura katana to just suddenly appear as a reward for amazing kendo skills(in whatever future millennium that might happen)
Well in it’s fairness, Tsunahiro Yamamura is a fantastic artist of swords craft, if not the best. To own one of his swords would be priceless above measurement.
For those of you who believe that 1.9 million yen (or $20,000) is expensive for a sword made by this master, you must consider that he is the 24th in his family line to learn this precious task. The swords he makes are made specifically for the owner and, in Samurai tradition, they have a “soul”. It takes this master and his staff up to two weeks or more to make one, just one sword. And it is beautiful to watch. I would give $20,000 easily (and will when I have it) to have him make me one of his fine swords. And I am not wealthy. I appreciate fine art. So for those of you who find 1.9 million yen too high, why don’t you enjoy the pictures and pass on the comments. Insulting someone just b/c you don’t like the costs is unbecoming and rude.
Indeed,.. Clare has expressed the exact logic that all should grasp, it is rather disappointing that people could put such a petty resentment to these, and their most honorable creator. To those that can not understand it would be in the same league as staring Davinci’s relative in the face and saying your family’s art is repulsive because Mona Lisa’s eyes are not blue. So please for all the future purveyors of this site enjoy that which has been shared, and if something is disagreeable to you then kindly look away and find something more acceptable to you elsewhere.
DHH thank you very much for the post, and the information you have passed to us all.
Until now I had no idea that this artist had existed, and since I will be stationed in Japan here shortly I hope to commission a nihontō from Yamamura-sempai.
February 25, 2007 at 11:42 pm
Do you know the address of Tsunahiro Yamamura’s workshop?
Thank you
February 26, 2007 at 12:11 am
Please see the comment on the first photo on this page for Kamakura, giving you directions on how to get there.
I am making inquiries now on the address and will leave a second comment here when I receive it.
February 27, 2007 at 2:50 pm
The address of Tsunahiro Yamamura’s workshop in Kamakura:
13-29 Onarimachi
Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa-ken 248-0012
Tel: 0467-22-3962
His workshop is open from 8am-5pm, and is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
May 23, 2007 at 11:50 pm
Thank you for the great info on Yamamura’s workshop. Three questions: 1. Do you need to make reservations for a visit, or can you drop-in? 2. Are swords available for purchase at the workshop? 3. What are the prices for a custom made katana?
May 24, 2007 at 12:32 am
You normally can just drop-in and purchase what is on display at the store in front of the workshop. These swords were on display at the store. I didn’t inquire if they were for sale (there were no price tags, which is usually the case when items are very expensive — inquiries are made by serious buyers, I suppose).
When we went there, it was after a request to visit, and you might want to do that if you want to watch Mr Yamamura at work. There is a large open window to his workshop from which you can view. Women are forbidden to enter the workshop (Shinto religion). You might be able to catch Yamamura at work, otherwise, his apprentices.
The price of the blade of a samurai sword is ¥1.9 million. On top of that, you have to add the price of the handle, the sheath, the tsuba, etc.
September 15, 2007 at 6:31 am
First of all, I don’t think you have any business having a sword unless you have earned the right to do so. A Japanese samurai sword is a very sacred thing to own. So, putting a price tag of 1.9 million seems very rich.
September 15, 2007 at 8:46 am
The price information was provided by Mr Yamamura’s workshop staff.
Of course, a samurai sword is priceless.
April 24, 2008 at 3:06 am
John 1.9 m yen is not expensive, and if you knew anything about what you were talking about you would know that for iaido masters and members of traditional ryus the individual member has a swotd made specifically for him.
The same is the way in the European tradition.
Please do not embarass westeners in front of our Japanese friends. maybe you should consider a wooden sword.
August 28, 2008 at 5:26 am
Hello there! This website is amazing!
Are people allowed to take swords on an airplane? Thanks.
August 28, 2008 at 7:09 am
I don’t know since I’ve never travelled with a sword before in my luggage. A friend of mine gave me a French sword as a gift and he sent it by mail. To avoid any possible problems at the airport, I suggest you mail the sword to your home address.
August 29, 2008 at 12:04 am
I see, thanks!
November 10, 2008 at 3:43 pm
1.9M Yen is about 20,000 US dollars (At the time of this post), which would be considered only for the extremely wealthy. That may not seem like a lot for a Samurai sword, especially from such a living legend, but it is still expensive, no matter how you slice it.
November 10, 2008 at 7:29 pm
How do I order a sword?
November 10, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Wow, when I converted 1.9M Yen to US dollars I almost spit out my coffee. $20,000 is most certainly expensive and no ordinary middle class family could ever afford one of those swords. It would certainly be nice though.
November 10, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Oh, does Yamamura have a website?
November 10, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Gev A, please see comments on the post here on Travelling Cam on Yamamura’s workshop:
http://travellingcam.wordpress.com/2006/12/03/kamakura/
Gabe, I suppose he could have a website, but it would be entirely in Japanese. You would have to type his name in Japanese characters on Google Japan.
Yamamura has export connections in Germany, see http://hometown.infocreate.co.jp/en/kanto/kamakura/dentoh-e.html so there could be something in German on Google Germany. Sorry, I speak nor write neither of those languages.
December 13, 2008 at 7:16 am
at first i pay thanks for all these information.
i love japan from my very chilhood-for no reason.but it is a long passionate journey.
the philosophy which makes a samurai-
earns regard from my deepest core of heart.
and i am paying my “pranam” to Mr.Yamamura.
i dreamed for a samurai sword.
my pocket is too poor for that.
but my life is enough rich to earn a samurai sword.
pray,once i will achive it.
January 29, 2009 at 1:26 am
Wow. I’m from Norway and I just calculated the price. 1.9 million yen is 6 months payment for the average worker in Norway.
I’ll just continue my kendo practice and hope for a Yamamura katana to just suddenly appear as a reward for amazing kendo skills(in whatever future millennium that might happen)
Well in it’s fairness, Tsunahiro Yamamura is a fantastic artist of swords craft, if not the best. To own one of his swords would be priceless above measurement.
April 23, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Jot singh Khalsa makes better swords in my opinion
website
Khalsakirpans.com
his swords are more affordable and jewel encrusted
October 19, 2009 at 7:41 pm
For those of you who believe that 1.9 million yen (or $20,000) is expensive for a sword made by this master, you must consider that he is the 24th in his family line to learn this precious task. The swords he makes are made specifically for the owner and, in Samurai tradition, they have a “soul”. It takes this master and his staff up to two weeks or more to make one, just one sword. And it is beautiful to watch. I would give $20,000 easily (and will when I have it) to have him make me one of his fine swords. And I am not wealthy. I appreciate fine art. So for those of you who find 1.9 million yen too high, why don’t you enjoy the pictures and pass on the comments. Insulting someone just b/c you don’t like the costs is unbecoming and rude.
November 3, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Indeed,.. Clare has expressed the exact logic that all should grasp, it is rather disappointing that people could put such a petty resentment to these, and their most honorable creator. To those that can not understand it would be in the same league as staring Davinci’s relative in the face and saying your family’s art is repulsive because Mona Lisa’s eyes are not blue. So please for all the future purveyors of this site enjoy that which has been shared, and if something is disagreeable to you then kindly look away and find something more acceptable to you elsewhere.
DHH thank you very much for the post, and the information you have passed to us all.
Until now I had no idea that this artist had existed, and since I will be stationed in Japan here shortly I hope to commission a nihontō from Yamamura-sempai.