The sword of Aoi Aso Shrine in Hitoyoshi City, Kumamoto Prefecture, which had been rusty due to the heavy rain in July last year, was returned to the shrine on the 16th after re-sharpening work.

The precincts of Aoi Aso Shrine, which is designated as a national treasure, was flooded by the heavy rain last year, and the sacred sword "Takai Echizen Morigen Shinkichi" dedicated during the Edo period also rusted in the water.



For this reason, since October last year, Mr. Takuta Kimura, a sharpener in Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture, has been re-sharpening the sword.



The work was completed on the 13th of this month, and on the 16th, a Shinto ritual was held to re-dedicate the sacred sword that regained its brilliance at our shrine, which is designated as a national treasure.



When Mr. Kimura, a sharpener, handed the sacred sword to Yoshifumi Fukukawa, the priest Fukukawa offered a congratulatory speech to the altar.



According to Mr. Kimura, the Mikami sword is a famous sword whose surface pattern "Hamon", which is one of the charms of the sword, is straight and reflects light well.



The sacred sword is planned to be exhibited at the treasure hall, which is scheduled to be built in the precincts around June next year.



Miyaji Fukukawa said, "I hope that the sword will regain its brilliance and will be a precursor to reconstruction. I want you to feel something when you see it revived from the catastrophe."