Eric Santucci

Greetings, I was wondering if anyone has ever contacted and/or purchased anything from Osaka Ryujin store in Japan? URL: http://www.osaka-ryujindo.jp/ Primarily, I would like to know if anyone has communicated with them via emails in English and whether they are easy to deal with in terms of purchasing and communication. Feel free to PM me if you have info and would rather not post to the public. Many thanks, Eric

Grey, thanks for the email address. Ted, many thanks again. Happy New Year! Eric

I tried emailing the NBTHK American Branch email address on the website today (inquiries@nbthk-ab.org) with a membership question and got the email kicked back to me with a failure message. Does anyone have an alternate email address or know if there is some temporary issue with the email address? Thanks in advance, Eric

Thanks Grey, much appreciated! :D Also just sent you an email with a quick question. Thanks, Eric

Hi, I found an online description of a Juyo Token Kanemoto in the Token Bijutsu no. 614 (March Issue). However, I cannot locate the oshigata that goes with the description. Does anyone have a copy of the oshigata and be willing to post it? Thanks, Eric

Try posting a message over at http://www.swordforum.com Many folks on that site are acquainted with Brandon and may be able to give you more info. Good luck, Eric

Guido, Thanks for posting this review - sounds like it was an excellent exhibit. Perhaps one day I will be fortunate enough to attend something like this in Japan, but for now I have to settle for glossy pictures of swords in catalogues. :lol: It's nice to see more activity surrounding shinsakuto lately. There have been some fine books released in recent years from Ono Yoshimitsu and Yoshindo Yoshihara. Perhaps a Gassan book is in the works - ah, only to dream! Best, Eric

Thank you for the links - the Gassan Forge site is one of my top favorites. Even though there are not too many updates I usually frequent it to look at the images. Unfortunately I cannot read Japanese very well. The first link to Japan Sword I have seen before, but not realized they had info about the exhibition. It seems to indicate there will be a catalogue too. I contacted them via email and will see what happens. I recall contacting them once before via email and never receiving a response, so not sure if my messages end up in the Spam folder or not. I would love to get a copy of this exhibition catalogue if anyone else has any ideas as to where/whom it can be obtained. If anyone ends up going to the exhibition, I am also curious as to what Sadanobu-san's swords are going for now. He is a young smith, but has been winning many awards already. Best, Eric

I would be forever greatful to anyone who is able to take some photos at this exhibition and/or bring back some catalogue if one is offered. Gassan Sadatoshi and Gassan Sadanobu are some of my favorite modern swordsmiths. There are not many materials available showcasing their work, so I always look forward to announcements such as these. Guido, I envy you. :D Enjoy the exhibition and if possible I would love to read more about what was presented there if you have a chance to go. Best, Eric

Grey, Very cool. I will be at the Chicago show and look forward to picking one up! Best, Eric

Hello everyone, Out of curiousity, what does it take to actually get a reply from Ginza? I have emailed them on at least 3 different occassions asking questions and it takes at least 1 week or longer for a reply. When I reply back, I never receive a follow up from them. Most recently, I sent an inquiry for a piece in the magazine that I wanted to purchase and as expected have not heard back from them. They are always courteous in their reply to me (as I am to them), but with a staff of so many people, I don't understand why the communication is like this. Just wondering if anyone has eperienced this? Thanks, Eric