KYOTO - Actor Shunsuke Daito visited Kyoto, the birthplace of Japanese period dramas, to explore the hidden craftsmanship behind sword fights and stage props, discovering that the swords used on set were once crafted with egg whites.
Kyoto became the center of Japanese filmmaking after Shozo Makino opened a production studio there in 1926, leading to the creation of many others and earning the city the nickname "Hollywood of Japan." Today, Toei Kyoto Studio Park remains a hub of period drama culture, marking its 50th anniversary this year. The park not only welcomes tourists with its Edo-era streetscapes but also continues to serve as a working film set, attracting both domestic and international visitors.
The studio is famous for its elaborate tricks. Pools used in films for scenes of actors falling into water are specially cleaned and filled with fresh water whenever major stars are involved, with additional allowances paid to those who endure the plunge, particularly in winter when the rates are higher. The studio also pioneered movable set walls, allowing entire street backdrops to be quickly rearranged, ensuring flexibility despite limited space.
Daito also visited the Toei Tsurugikai, a professional group established in 1952 to choreograph sword fighting and train actors in combat performance. These experts carefully design each sequence so that actors appear to strike without actually making contact, taking into account camera angles and positions. Daito observed how even a slight adjustment in the slashed character’s reaction can transform the intensity of a scene, with the so-called kirareyaku — actors who specialize in being cut down — playing a decisive role in highlighting the hero’s strength.
In addition to stunt work, Kyoto’s film industry relies heavily on traditional prop masters. One of the leading suppliers is Kozu Shokai, a company that has managed period-drama props and art objects for more than a century, housing some 300,000 to 400,000 items in storage. While authentic swords cannot be used on set, the company produces replicas of extraordinary quality. Craftsmen coat wooden cores with metallic foil less than 0.1 millimeters thick, attaching it with egg whites rather than industrial adhesives. The egg whites allow the foil to adhere firmly yet remain easy to peel off and replace, a method devised by artisans decades ago that is still considered the best technique today.
Daito tried his hand at applying the foil himself, quickly realizing the painstaking skill required. With even the slightest excess pressure, the foil tears. Yet when finished, the replicas look nearly indistinguishable from real swords. "I use these props casually as an actor, but seeing the amount of work behind each one makes me appreciate them even more," he said.
From carefully choreographed fight scenes to handcrafted swords, the hidden artistry of Kyoto’s studios continues to sustain the world of Japanese period dramas. Daito concluded that behind every moment of on-screen drama lies not only the actors’ skill but also the dedication of countless artisans whose work ensures that audiences can be transported to another era.
Source: KTV NEWS
