Master swordsmith Taneshige Sasaki explains the swords being offered as “hometown tax” contribution gifts in this photo taken Dec. 19, 2025, in Muroran, Hokkaido. The swords include a “tachi” long sword, right, a katana, center, and a “tanto” short sword, left. (Mainichi/Kimitaka Hirayama)
MURORAN, Hokkaido — Japanese swords are being offered as incentives to “hometown tax” contributors for this north Japan city.
Muroran is offering six blades made at Japan Steel Works M&E Inc. Muroran Plant’s Zuisen swordsmith to people who contribute to the area through the tax program.
As a token of appreciation, donators of 5.19 million yen (about $32,900) will receive a “tachi” long sword or a Japanese katana, while “tanto” short swords are available for donators of 2,868,000 yen (about $18,180).
The swordsmith was founded in 1918 to preserve Japan’s sword-making techniques which were declining due to modernization. On Dec. 19, 2025, the city unveiled swords crafted by the fifth-generation master swordsmith, Taneshige Sasaki, 53, to offer something characteristic of Muroran, the “city of iron.”
Sasaki commented, “I chose items I hope will be appreciated for their comfortable feel and intricate blade pattern.”
Muroran’s donation amount for fiscal 2023 was 83.18 million yen (about $527,278), the lowest among the six municipalities in the western Iburi region. The city aims to increase this to 310 million yen (about $1.97 million) by fiscal 2029 and has added live abalone and sea urchin in saltwater to the gift lineup this year.
Mitsushiro Iwama, the city’s general affairs section chief, stated, “The making of Japanese swords is a unique technology to Muroran which we will promote nationwide.”
(Japanese original by Kimitaka Hirayama, Tomakomai Bureau)
AloJapan.com