Mark S.

I’m also wondering if there wasn’t a greater cultural component to this issue? Most Americans at that time had a Euro-centric background and it may simply have been a certain level of comfort with the items being taken. European ‘booty’ and culture was ‘familiar’... Japanese items and culture were... well... for lack of a better term... ‘foreign’. Japanese styles of art, painting, ceramics, militaria, in fact, pretty much everything would simply not have interested a common GI. Just my theory. My next statement might be a little more controversial and VERY generalized, but while there was a certain level ‘hatred of the enemy’ in both theaters of war, I think it was more difficult to carry the grudge in the European theater (where your enemy pretty much looked like you) vs a totally foreign adversary as in the Pacific theater. It may have been seen as socially inappropriate or unacceptable to bring home Japanese items vs German items?

I find a very bright white LED brings out a lot of detail missed by other lights. HOWEVER... it can also wash out certain things due to glare and be very hard on the eyes due to reflection. I try many varieties of light sources around the house because each offers a different view. My LED set up consists of the attached pictures. Basically just a bright LED bulb in a desk lamp. It is a very flexible system as far as positioning. Also, LED bulbs draw very little wattage, so you can put a brighter bulb in a fixture that is rated lower. The lamp is only rated for 40 watts... but I can use a 75 watt bulb in it because it only draws 10 watts.

Unbelievable... was at the show and looked at blades at tables both attended and unattended. NEVER thought of just walking with one. So sorry this happened...

As always... another great show. Even managed to have a little bit of money to spend and bought a wakizashi this year. The NBTHK display of Yamato blades was quite an experience (if you EVER get the chance to attend one of these, do NOT pass it up). Another thread discussed the "future of sword shows" and as I was looking at the blades I was thinking to myself "Where else is this going to happen?". Even more enjoyable was the experienced members of the NBTHK narrating and answering questions at the same time we were inspecting the swords. So much to see and experience. Well done by all!

Sorry about the sideways photos! Will fix tomorrow when I am back at computer.

A couple more.

Anderson Japanese Garden Rockford, Illinois

Mark, Thank you for taking the time to reply. I really appreciate it. Mark S.

Might I also suggest that after step 5, you run the mashed rice through a fine strainer just to be sure there are no rice particles that got missed in the mashing process. Also, due to the fact that you are introducing water (even a small amount) into an enclosed area where you will be housing the blade and some water will soak into the shirasaya wood, an extra long dry time probably should be considered to insure complete evaporation of water before before placing the blade inside the shirasaya.

So now that it has arrived, just wanted to post that I purchased the following: Wakizashi, mumei was $1200, now SOLD http://yakiba.com/Wak_Mumei2_WS.htm VERY HAPPY! Ed was great to work with. Will probably make a separate post about the blade sooner or later in the Nihonto section of the Board for further discussion. Mark S.

All, It should probably come as no surprise to those of you who have dealt with Ed at Yakiba that I am here to give him my kudos on a recent purchase: Wakizashi, mumei was $1200, now SOLD http://yakiba.com/Wak_Mumei2_WS.htm Ed was excellent to deal with, answered questions and was very helpful. He also managed to have the sword delivered to me on my BIRTHDAY... and he didn’t even know it was my birthday! . Just want everyone to know you can buy with extreme confidence from Ed. Now to start studying the blade. Will probably make a post about it soon. Mark S.

And the wife doesn’t mind?

Mark, Really looking forward to the show!!! Once a schedule (even if tentative) is established with day/time of events/presentations, could you please update us here? I am only able to attend on Saturday, and would hate to miss anything because I didn’t plan accordingly for what is going on that day.

"YOU can be a millionaire... FIRST... get a million dollars... THEN..." - Steve Martin

Oh no... absolutely not! I was thinking the same thing and wondering what the asking price was? Although I would be almost positive that it was an M1 as an M2 is full auto capable and a no-no without the special license.

I disagree with the premise that viewing swords on-line is anywhere near as good as having them in hand. I suppose if you have a lot of experience already, it is much easier to spot good and bad through photos... but for the newbie or even someone with that dangerous ‘little to moderate bit of knowledge’, there is no substitute for blades in hand.

At the risk of embarrassing myself... I believe my translation is close. Sorry I can't help with the potter's name (bottom left).

I would say you made a very nice choice. So much to 'find' in a bowl like that. Here is my Shino chawan and mizusashi... since we are talking Shino

Try here: http://www.e-yakimono.net/guide/ But also just type “Shino ware” in your web browser and off you go! Very nice tea bowl. If you ever do choose to drink tea from it, it should be matcha (powdered tea), but it’s your bowl and your’s to do with as you choose. When you clean the bowl, it is better to use little or no soap (and nothing highly scented) and to let the bowl air dry COMPLETELY. Remember, the water/tea will seep into all the cracks and crevices and if you store it away in the box too soon, mold or stains can form and may give the bowl an ‘off’ smell. ENJOY your new acquisition!

For purely entertainment, I recommend "Child of Vengeance" and "Sword of Honor" both written by David Kirk. Fictional accounts of Musashi's life. "Child of Vengeance" is the first book. Surprisingly, I found them both at a Dollar Tree store, so cost was nothing!

Some fine incense... and a nice bottle of bourbon...

A Tamba Yoshimichi boshi?

Joe, Just finished up my 2 year divorce process in June. Unfortunately right now divorce keeps discretionary funds to a minimum, but slowly digging my way out and will be interested to see what you have to offer. Having been through the ordeal, I'm sorry to see you having to let your love of nihonto be affected. In mine, I lost "the car I always wanted"... but it is what it is. if you need to PM somebody for support who has "been there and done that"... feel free. Keep the faith brother and best of luck to you...

It also clearly mentions: "It is a shame the rust of Nakago was removed." I would believe their assessment.

Oh boy... as an absolute newbie, I’m extremely nervous dipping a toe into this discussion between much more learned men than I... but I’m going to do so anyway. Having said that, I’m asking a question to learn, not giving an opinion of something I have no rights to give an opinion about. My question has to do with Juyo and ‘importance’... but that it is also a ‘competition’ between important blades and not all important blades are equal at any particular Juyo. Can anyone (who has the patience) explain why a $100 bill is not always a $100 bill (and I do not use that example in a derogatory way... it just made total sense in the other example) when compared to another $100 bill ‘this time’ but might next time? Is not ‘important’, important at any time? I’m sorry my ignorance is clouding my ability to understand. I do get that my Kai-Mihara blade (for example) will never be important because it’s just not and I would never argue that it should be just because I want it to be. I guess another way to ask my question (and in no way is this questioning the Juyo process) is why do they use a ‘competition process’ as opposed to a simple judgement of ‘important or not’? Question submitted in the most respectful manner (of those involved here) as I possibly can. Mark S.