Tucked away in a quiet residential street in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward, the Japanese Sword Museum offers a glimpse into an era where men staked their honor and their lives on the blade. The museum appears to be something of a hidden gem, since many residents do not seem aware that it exists. However, it is surprisingly popular with overseas tourists, who come to soak up the history.
One frequent visitor to the museum is Briton Paul Martin, an expert on Japanese swords and their history, who now makes his home in Tokyo. Entering the museum on a recent weekday morning, he is warmly greeted by the staff. "I've done most of the English translation for the exhibits," he notes.
As he makes his way around, Martin brings the history of the static displays alive with his rich knowledge of the swords, their makers and their owners. The only other visitor at that time in the morning, a young Westerner, looks across wistfully, probably wishing he had such a guide at his disposal.