[Ichihara City, Chiba] Breaking News Exhibition on National Important Cultural Property 'King's Gift Inscribed Iron Sword: The Pride of Ichihara' Now Open
The Ichihara History Museum is holding a special breaking news exhibition showcasing artifacts excavated from the Inaridai No.1 Tumulus, featuring the 'King's Gift Inscribed Iron Sword' which is slated to be designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
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The Ichihara History Museum is currently holding a breaking news exhibition to unveil artifacts excavated from the Inaridai No.1 Tumulus, centering on the King's Gift Inscribed Iron Sword, which has been decided to be designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
## Overview
About 1,600 years ago, the Inaridai No.1 Tumulus was built on a plateau close to the Ichihara History Museum. Numerous precious artifacts, including an iron sword inscribed with the famous 'King's Gift' (王賜), were excavated from this site.
Domestically produced iron swords with inscriptions are extremely rare in Japan, and the King's Gift Inscribed Iron Sword is an important historical material that is highly likely to be the oldest existing of its kind. Because its academic value was highly evaluated, it was decided that the artifacts excavated from the Inaridai No.1 Tumulus will be designated as a National Important Cultural Property in 2026. This is the first time archaeological materials in Ichihara City have been designated as Important Cultural Properties, and they are drawing attention as extremely vital materials for researching the Kofun period.
This time, in addition to the King's Gift Inscribed Iron Sword, artifacts found together with it, such as iron arrowheads, armor, and earthenware, will be publicly exhibited for the first time. Please come and see the array of exquisite items from the Inaridai No.1 Tumulus displayed together for the first time.
## Exhibition Details
Dates: Until Sunday, July 12
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM *Ticket purchase available until 4:30 PM
Closed: Every Monday *If Monday is a public holiday, closed on the following weekday
## Admission Fee
Adults 300 yen, High School Students 200 yen, Junior High School Students and under are free.
*Group rates apply for groups of 20 or more paying visitors (100 yen discount per person).
## Lectures and Exhibition Explanations
### Ichihara Local Learning Lecture 'Why the King's Gift Inscribed Iron Sword is Special'
Museum staff in charge of the special exhibition will explain the greatness of the 'King's Gift Inscribed Iron Sword'.
Date & Time: Sunday, June 7, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Registration: Starts at 9:30 AM on the day at the museum entrance
Capacity: First 70 people
Participation Fee: Free
### Special Exhibition Explanation Session
A session led by the museum staff in charge of the exhibition. They will explain the latest findings in an easy-to-understand manner, highlighting the key features and special points of the exhibition.
Date & Time: Sunday, May 3 and Monday, May 4 at 11:45 AM and 2:45 PM
Registration: Gather at the museum entrance before the start time
Capacity: First 30 people per session
Participation Fee: Free *For high school students and older participants/attendants
## Overview
About 1,600 years ago, the Inaridai No.1 Tumulus was built on a plateau close to the Ichihara History Museum. Numerous precious artifacts, including an iron sword inscribed with the famous 'King's Gift' (王賜), were excavated from this site.
Domestically produced iron swords with inscriptions are extremely rare in Japan, and the King's Gift Inscribed Iron Sword is an important historical material that is highly likely to be the oldest existing of its kind. Because its academic value was highly evaluated, it was decided that the artifacts excavated from the Inaridai No.1 Tumulus will be designated as a National Important Cultural Property in 2026. This is the first time archaeological materials in Ichihara City have been designated as Important Cultural Properties, and they are drawing attention as extremely vital materials for researching the Kofun period.
This time, in addition to the King's Gift Inscribed Iron Sword, artifacts found together with it, such as iron arrowheads, armor, and earthenware, will be publicly exhibited for the first time. Please come and see the array of exquisite items from the Inaridai No.1 Tumulus displayed together for the first time.
## Exhibition Details
Dates: Until Sunday, July 12
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM *Ticket purchase available until 4:30 PM
Closed: Every Monday *If Monday is a public holiday, closed on the following weekday
## Admission Fee
Adults 300 yen, High School Students 200 yen, Junior High School Students and under are free.
*Group rates apply for groups of 20 or more paying visitors (100 yen discount per person).
## Lectures and Exhibition Explanations
### Ichihara Local Learning Lecture 'Why the King's Gift Inscribed Iron Sword is Special'
Museum staff in charge of the special exhibition will explain the greatness of the 'King's Gift Inscribed Iron Sword'.
Date & Time: Sunday, June 7, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Registration: Starts at 9:30 AM on the day at the museum entrance
Capacity: First 70 people
Participation Fee: Free
### Special Exhibition Explanation Session
A session led by the museum staff in charge of the exhibition. They will explain the latest findings in an easy-to-understand manner, highlighting the key features and special points of the exhibition.
Date & Time: Sunday, May 3 and Monday, May 4 at 11:45 AM and 2:45 PM
Registration: Gather at the museum entrance before the start time
Capacity: First 30 people per session
Participation Fee: Free *For high school students and older participants/attendants
FAQ
Where is the special exhibition of the King-bestowed Inscribed Iron Sword being held?
It is being held at the Ichihara Historical Museum in Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture.
Until when is the exhibition being held?
It is being held until July 12 (Sunday).
Why is the King-bestowed Inscribed Iron Sword considered important?
It is considered extremely important because it is a domestically produced iron sword from about 1600 years ago and is one of the oldest extant inscribed iron swords, thus having extremely high academic value.