DanielLee

Hi John, Lee's reply pretty much sums it up, I've had no problems with importing nihonto, I just needed to show that the swords were antiques, i.e more than 100 years old. My swords have papers from nbthk and nthk. You should write to the Arms and Explosives as suggested by Lee's friend, let them know that you are importing antique swords and get their approval to import them in. Feel free to pm me if you need more info! Regards,

Hi John, I reside in Singapore, I have had no issues with importing nihonto, you just need to get an import license to bring them in. The blunt condition does not apply to antiques or swords which are used in martial arts practices. Have to rush out for an appointment, I'll be more than happy to provide you with details when i get back. Regards,

Since my daughter occupies the guest room at my in-laws house, I'll stay at this hotel. Rather new, clean, conveniently located, and a real bargain (considering hotel prices in Tokyo). Hi Guido, Thanks for the recommendation! I've booked a room at the Shiba Park Hotel since its situated near DTI, they have a 30% discount for guests which stay for at least 5 days so the rates are pretty ok too (14,000 yen per night for a twin room). https://booking.ihotelier.com/istay/ist ... nId=533003

Hi, would anyone be able to recommend a convenient and reasonably priced hotel to stay at for the DTI? Thanks!

Hi Mike, You can try taking a look at this site too http://www.finesword.co.jp/sale/touken/touken.htm Regards,

Hi Shan, Could it be Myochin Fujiwara (珍藤原) ? Regards,

Hi John, Tanobe sensei mentioned that in Kanesada's Rai copies the boshi is not as strong and leans slightly to one side. Rai blades have a rather symmetrical boshi. Regards, Daniel

Hi JHG, Its not a katana, but here's an example of a Rai style Nosada Tanto http://www.touken-katsu.com/goods/tanto ... osada.html Regards, Daniel

Gifu City Museum of History 24th Oct to 30th Nov 2008 http://www.rekihaku.gifu.gifu.jp/

Hi all, Aoi Art just uploaded a new kantei quiz. https://www.aoi-art.com/kantei/kantei.html Regards, Daniel

Hi Bobby, You could write to the Japanese sites and ask them to provide you with a translation to their items. I did that when i bought from Japan Katana Shop http://www.global8.co.jp/katana/shohin/shohin20.html They have more stuff on their Japanese site. http://sngi.fc2web.com/sinnyuka.html Regards, Daniel

Hi Bobby, You might want to check out this site too, they deal mainly in low-mid range swords and is affiliated with Ginza Choshuya. http://www.finesword.co.jp/sale/touken/touken.htm Regards, Daniel

I got my Fujishiro kit from here http://www.tokenkonnoart.com/booksand.htm Daniel

Here's an example from Aoi Art which was listed today. https://www.aoi-art.com/sword/wakizashi/08171.html Daniel

Got my copy from Harry yesterday, a fine translation and very reasonably priced. Hope to see more of such translations! Daniel

Hi James, I think i'm wrong about the menuki-ana, mistook the 2 words which are used to describe the nagasa. Regards, Daniel

Soshu Hirotsugu, ubu nakago is about all i can figure out. Nagasa (length) 6 sun 8 bu, 2 menuki ana? Daniel

My guess is that its a Go... perhaps I've spent too much time looking at Shinkai blades recently. Daniel

Hi Brian, I'm using the Nihonto theme, i tried the others but the font size is still displayed rather large, and I can't find the option to increase or decrease it. I can select the font size when posting, but that doesn't change my display. I've to scroll down to view the entire index on my 1280 X 1024 display. Regards,

Hi Brian, The fonts of the new forum seem much bigger , the standard text looks like 16 pt. Other websites and forums seem fine, and display at 11 or 12 pt. I'm using Netscape 7.2, but I've tried the Netscape 9 and it looks the same. Is there a profile setting to adjust font size? Regards,

Hi guys, thanks for your time in posting! I agree that there's no better way to learning than to study high quality blades in person. I'm planning an extending trip to Japan next year, mainly to catch the Ichimonji exhibition. I've got the catalog with me, but pictures often fail to do a sword justice. Wish I had the chance to view the various other Sano Art Museum exhibtions.

Being a novice collector, I have found it difficult to judge the quality of a sword just by looking at the blade itself. Many times I find that my opinion is influenced by the ranking of swordsmith or the level of papers which it has. Unfortunately the access to swords where I reside is limited, in fact, the only swords I have ever examined are the ones which I own. There's a few things that i know to look out for, fine tight hada, bright hamon and hataraki, but beyond a certain level, I find it hard to distinguish between the good swords and the very best. What qualities do the swords of highly ranked swordsmiths have which others don't? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I have always wanted to collect Japanese swords since i was 16. Its only recently (after 10 yrs)that I managed to save up and found out that nihonto can be imported into my country that I got my first pieces, a Komihara katana and an Ichimonji this year.

Thanks for help guys! Picked up a nice sword not long ago, and requested the Japanese shop keeper to help me do an oshigata , but unfortunately they did not provide such a service. I'll be extra cautious and practice on the less valuable sword which i have. Thanks to Grey's article I have a much better idea of performing an oshigata.

Hi Grey, Can't find your email in the profile, perhaps I am looking at the wrong place, kindly email me at daniellee@takayukitakeya.com , thanks for your help!