In Kudanshita now, just north of the Imperial Palace and saw this shop selling Japanese swords. Most of these swords are purely decorative or are for use in practicing a martial art known as Iaidou 居合道 so they do not have sharpened blades.
It is now illegal to carry a sword around with you in Japan, but centuries ago the upper classes in Japan would always carry the "two swords".
Today, martial arts like Kendo, Kyuudou and Iaidou are still popular activities, particularly for students.
Do you study any martial arts?
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