A collaboration between Monster hunter and the city of Sakai caught the attention of fans during the summer of 2022. Monster hunterknown in Japan as “Mondayis a successful video game series developed by Capcom that has sold a total of 84 million copies worldwide.
Sword makers in Sakai, a city in Osaka prefecture known for counterfeit swords, attempted to produce a replica of one of the weapons featured in Monster hunter. It took three years to go from inception to final product.
Sakai has a rich history and many tourist attractions, but it has not been able to raise its profile effectively. The city government asked Capcom to help expand the reach of its high-end blacksmithing, which Sakai has been known for since blacksmiths gathered in the city in the 15th century during the Warring States period.
Made Monster hunter do the trick?
Impressing fans with a new blade
The colorful and impressive sword is so huge at 3.1 meters long and weighing 150 kilograms that it is almost unreal. It is a replica of Kakaru Kumo Naki, a weapon that appears in Monster hunter.
Visitors flocked to Rikyu and Akiko’s Sakai Plaza, a museum in the Sakai district of Sakai city, where an exhibition titled Monster Hunter x Sakai: A Close Look at Ancient Techniques It was on display until September 4.
The Sankei Shimbun covered the exhibition, asking visitors what they thought. Akira Yoshitake, a 22-year-old office worker from Nishi Ward in Osaka, has been a Monster hunter fan for 10 years. Smiling, he said, “Seeing a real-life version of something I love in front of me is so much fun.”
A 20-year-old vocational student visiting Kaizuka City, Osaka Prefecture seemed similarly impressed, saying, “I know everything is possible in video games, but now I realize that the character who can wield this sword is Awesome”.
How it started
The project started in 2017 when Sakai City proposed it to Capcom. The city is home to the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and flourished during the Warring States era as an independent city. The city has a rich history and many tourist attractions, but has struggled to find ways to promote its charm as a tourist destination.
Connecting its history and craftsmanship to the current generation through Monster hunterSakai City hoped to educate the younger generation about its traditional arts and attractions.
Work to reproduce the sword began in 2019. Among the weapons in Monster hunterKakaru Kumo Naki was chosen because its basic structure is similar to that of a Japanese Katana (sword), and is decorated with patterns recognizable as those of the monster hunter character.
The three craftsmen who took charge of the project are Jun Mizuno, CEO of Sakai Sword Forge, Mizuno Tanrenjo (Sakai Ward, Sakai City); Akihiko Maeda of Maeda Woodworks (Kita Ward, Osaka City); and professional modeler Masakazu Yamaguchi.
Bringing the sword to life
Master swordsman Mizuno forged the blade from extremely soft iron. Maeda then carved the scabbard and decorative parts with his mastery fostered by years of sculpting festival floats.
Finally, Mr. Yamaguchi took care of the coloring. He recalls how difficult it was, saying, “This sword was created from a water dragon, so I wanted to visually recreate its thinness and flexibility.”
Its realism showcases the unrivaled skills of Sakai artisans.
During the exhibition, in addition to gaming equipment and model sheets, real historical weapons such as ancient katanas and Sakai-produced arquebuses were also on display. The replica sword exhibit ended on September 4, although the museum has other exhibits that have continued.
A Sakai City spokesperson noted, “The response was positive, with many young people and families who are fans of the game visiting the exhibition. We intend to continue promoting Sakai in a way that matches the young generation who would normally not be too interested in our city.”
This collaboration between a video game and modern craftsmen is unusual. Given its popularity, stakeholders are now watching whether or not Sakai City’s ingenious strategy will continue in new ways in the future.
RELATED:
(Read the related article in Japanese in this link.)
Author: Shigeki Fujiya