Kantei
A smiling young man, with a cloth on his head and white forging clothes, seated with his arms crossed.

Swordsmith of Iwaki (Fukushima) · Kamakura kotō

Fujiwara Munenaga (藤原宗永)

The only swordsmith of Iwaki (Fukushima), who seeks the forging method of the Kamakura period: his life, his work, his prizes and his sources

Fujiwara Munenaga (藤原宗永, Fujiwara Munenaga) was born in 1984 in Iwaki, in Fukushima Prefecture, and since 2021 he has forged there, where he is the only swordsmith. He learned under Fujiyasu Masahira and Fujita Kunimune, and seeks to recover the forging method of the Kamakura period. Almost everything known about him he tells himself.

Photo: the smith himself

1984
Born in Iwaki
2008
Swordsmith’s licence
2018
Bronze and newcomer’s prize
2021
Opens his forge in Iwaki
On this page
  1. Quick profile
  2. In short

Quick profile

Name
Fujiwara Munenaga; signs 宗永 (Munenaga) AT
Kanji and reading
藤原宗永 (Fujiwara Munenaga) AT
Birth
1984, in Iwaki (Fukushima) AT
Where he forges
Tabito (田人町, Tabito-machi), in the city of Iwaki (Fukushima), since September 2021 AT
Masters
藤安将平 (Fujiyasu Masahira), from 2002; 藤田國宗 (Fujita Kunimune), of Niihama (Ehime), from 2004 AT
School or tradition
Kotō of late Heian and Kamakura: Yamashiro, Bizen and Sōshū AT
Licence
2008, from the Agency for Cultural Affairs (文化庁, Bunkachō) AT
Rank
No NBTHK rank: he does not appear in its catalogues or its lists from 2021 to 2026 II

In short

What we know. In 2018 his tachi won a bronze prize, second place, and the newcomer’s prize at the 9th technical exhibition of new swords 新作日本刀 研磨外装 刀職技術展覧会 (Shinsaku Nihontō Kenma Gaisō Tōshoku Gijutsu Tenrankai), and in 2019 he was selected at the 10th.

How we know it. His life, his training and his way of working are told by him; the local Fukushima press has interviewed him, but its articles could only be read as images.

What we do not know. The exact years of his exhibitions of protective swords, and works with a complete technical record beyond the jury’s notes.

Sections

  1. Fukushima · Ehime · Ise · Iwaki Life and forging His two masters, the 2008 licence, the years in Ise and his forge in Iwaki.
  2. Yamashiro · Bizen · Sōshū Work and style What he is after, what the jury said of his prizewinning tachi and a gallery of his work.
  3. A bronze and a newcomer’s prize Prizes His 2018 bronze, the 2019 selection and the exhibitions of protective swords.
  4. Bibliography and credits Sources The sources consulted on 4 October 2026 and the credit for each image.