Arrived in Sendai! Went to the Evangelion and Japanese Sword Exhibition!

Shin Godzilla has been a hot topic, winning seven Japan Academy Awards and boasting incredibly luxurious Blu-ray bonus features.
Its director, Hideaki Anno, is best known for Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Now, Evangelion is collaborating with Japanese swords, which have become popular among sword enthusiasts, in an event called "Evangelion and Japanese Swords Exhibition," which has landed in Sendai! I
infiltrated this event, which began on March 25th, and
I hope you enjoy my report!

What is the Evangelion and Japanese Sword Exhibition?

The world of the hugely popular anime "Neon Genesis Evangelion," which sparked a major boom,
is brought to life in the "Evangelion and Japanese Swords Exhibition," where contemporary Japanese swordsmiths express this worldview through their unique approaches.

Evangelion has always had a deep connection with Japanese swords, such as those made by Sonroku and Bizen Osafune.
This collection features swords that appeared in the series, as well as numerous other swords that express the inspiration drawn from the work using traditional techniques.
It's enough to make your heart tremble even before you see them!

This exhibition was planned with the hope that today's young people will learn about Japanese swords, which have been loved as weapons, works of art, and as an embodiment of the samurai spirit.
What kind of swords await us?

The evolution of Japanese swords

The first section you encounter upon entering is dedicated to Japanese swords.
You can enjoy the evolution of sword designs from the past, recreated by modern swordsmiths.
From the late Heian period to the end of the Edo period, the swords, which changed according to the style of combat, possess an overwhelming functional beauty!

Also, there's an experience corner where you can try holding a Japanese sword, but it's incredibly heavy!
If you were hit with such a heavy iron rod, you'd probably be knocked out even without a sharp blade!
You should definitely try lifting one!

Evangelion and Japanese swords

After experiencing the beauty of Japanese swords, it was finally time to enter the world of Evangelion!
The coolness of the swords familiar to fans, such as the Magoroku Exterminate Sword and Bizen Osafune, recreated using traditional techniques, was truly breathtaking.

Among all the exhibits, the Spear of Longinus was particularly eye-catching.
While most of the displays consisted of Japanese swords, the level of detail in the reproduction of the Spear of Longinus, made from meteoric iron, far exceeded my expectations.
Of course, this too was crafted by a master swordsmith with the utmost skill.
The fact that they can reproduce something other than a sword with such precision is truly a testament to the greatness of these craftsmen.
You can also watch a video documenting the manufacturing process, which makes it a fun way to reflect on the traditional Japanese techniques that still exist today!

In addition, there are 26 swords on display, including the daggers held by the heroines in the key visual and the Progressive Knife that appeared in the film, which have been recreated with the swordsmith's unique modifications.
And what's more, you're allowed to take pictures of all of them!

Don't forget your camera when you visit!
Please note that photography is prohibited in some areas of the Evangelion exhibit!

Eva Store in Sendai

One of the highlights of the special exhibition is the souvenir shop!
After you've finished seeing all the exhibits, enjoy the huge Evangelion store with approximately 500 Evangelion goods on display!
I couldn't resist buying some castella cake as a souvenir myself!
When I asked the staff about the most popular items,

• Catalog "Evangelion and Japanese Swords"
• sweets
• Can badge (Kaworu-kun)

It seems that these items are selling well.
Also, it appears that female customers prefer can badges, while male customers prefer mugs.
If you're having trouble deciding what to buy, try using this as a reference!

For more fun!

Finally, here are some tips to help you enjoy the Evangelion and Japanese Swords Exhibition even more!

Audio guide

You can rent an audio guide at the front desk.
The audio guide explains the exhibited works, and the voice is provided by Kotono Mitsuishi.
That's right, the voice actress of Misato Katsuragi will be providing the commentary!
What a wonderful service!
By learning about the background and highlights of the works, which you wouldn't understand just by looking at them, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the world of Japanese swords!

Inscription on the original plate for the Evangelion exhibition

At the Eva Store, a master swordsmith will engrave your name onto an original plate.
Since the engraving is done on the spot, you can experience a part of traditional craftsmanship firsthand.
Why not create a unique plate to commemorate your special day?

Tono Nagi

A special collaboration between Evangelion's mechanical designer, Ikuto Yamashita, and Kozaemon Miyairi!
The naginata, NATANOYAGI, designed specifically for this event, is on display.
Its cool, chuunibyou-esque design is breathtaking! Not
only is the design amazing, but the sense of weight and solidity brought to life by Kozaemon Miyairi is also irresistible!
I won't post a photo here.
Please go and see it in person!

The event will be held from March 25th to May 7th, 2017.
It will be crowded during Golden Week, so if you're interested, please register early!

INFORMATION

Chimon

A balding writer who loves travel and laughter.
A nice guy who hides his thinning hair by shaving his head!
He travels north and south to bring smiles to Tohoku through his writing!

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