The KONRONSHA Collection is dedicated to the preservation and study of ethno-religious artifacts from India and the Himalayan region.
Konronsha Collection > Meteorite Collection > Swords, Mirrors & Magatama
Meteoric Iron Swords, Mirrors, and Magatama
崑崙舍では、収集した隕鉄を用い、日本刀、剣、鏡、勾玉などの制作を行いました。
Kazuhiko Tagami devoted himself not only to the collection and study of meteorites, but also to the collection of Japanese swords.
Among the many traditions of Japanese swordsmithing, he developed a particular interest in Bizen swords, whose history and spiritual heritage inspired him to envision a Japanese sword forged from meteoritic iron—iron that had journeyed to Earth from outer space.
To realize this idea, he first sought the advice of Toshimitsu Imaizumi, widely regarded as the restorer of the Bizen sword tradition. Following Imaizumi's guidance, a Japanese sword incorporating meteoritic iron was forged by the swordsmith Nobushige Okishiba.
The project attracted considerable public attention and was featured in The Asahi Shimbun (1990) and Serai magazine (1991).
Inspired by this achievement, Konronsha also produced mirrors, swords, and magatama using meteoritic iron.
Swordsmith Nobushige Okishiba
Nobushige Okishiba is the 18th-generation head of the Yamashiro Kaji – Heianjō School of Japanese swordsmiths. He studied sword forging under his father, the swordsmith Masatsugu Okishiba, and later became a disciple of the master swordsmith Sadahiro Kita.
Publications and Archival Materials
Yajikita, April 1989
An article introducing the life of Nobushige Okishiba, his philosophy of sword making, and his character.
Serai, December 1991
An article documenting the challenge of recreating the legendary protective sword using meteoritic iron.
"Meteoric iron blades reveal a remarkably distinct grain. It truly is iron from outer space."
The Asahi Shimbun, January 9, 1990
An article describing the background and process of forging the meteoritic iron sword.
"It is a mysterious feeling to create a sword from fragments of the universe."
"Perhaps because the iron in the meteorite is of such high quality, it welds together exceptionally well. Even after polishing, the grain of the steel stands out with remarkable clarity."