Touken Ranbu and the Sword Boom — How a Game Created New Fans

The browser game "Touken Ranbu -ONLINE-," launched in 2015, brought revolutionary changes to the world of Japanese swords.

What is Touken Ranbu? A game where players collect and train "Touken Danshi" — personified famous swords. Real historical blades like Mikazuki Munechika, Tsurumaru Kuninaga, and Shokudaikiri Mitsutada appear as characters.

Birth of "Touken Joshi": The game sparked a surge of interest in Japanese swords, primarily among young women. These new fans, called "Touken Joshi" (sword girls), created unprecedented lines at sword exhibitions.

Museum impact: The Kyoto National Museum's sword exhibition recorded its highest-ever attendance. Museums across Japan, including Sendai City Museum and Tokugawa Art Museum, saw similar surges.

Market impact: Demand increased for works by smiths featured in the game. Swords by Sanjo Munechika, Awataguchi Yoshimitsu, and Osafune Mitsutada saw particularly notable price increases.

At DATEKATANA, we want to share the allure of authentic swords with everyone — including those whose journey began with a game.