Sansei

Saw Robert at the show today. He looked at the Kiyondo and said it was a very good katana, even as is with the rust. He said the rust was probably caused by fingers on the blade without cleaning. I spoke to him for about an hour and he told me about his experiences in Japan as a polisher. I was very impressed. We agreed that he would take the Kiyondo back to Hawaii with him and do the restoration work. It will take about a year; with all of his other work ongoing. His son is now working with him as his former apprentice of 25 years left for Las Vegas:

Brian, Will do. I did not know there was a special section for that purpose. RayM

Tom D., My appreciation grows the more I learn about the Art of the Sword: I will post part three of this Katana Trilogy soon. RayM

Blade 2: This is the katana that my dad purchased in the Philippines. My mom says that he got it from the Filipino who killed this Japanese officer. She says that only the officers had katana; given to them by their families. Usually the best katana owned by the families were gifted to them and, as we know, they were expected to die; or return only in victory…Bushido. The katana seems to be in “good” original condition. There are blemishes and what look like stains (could be blood) and the Ha has some small nicks. Unlike the other katana, this one was oiled occasionally and kept indoors: - RayM

All, Okay. Got it. Thanks. Contacted Robert and will see him this weekend. RayM

Jacques, What is "shoshin"? Tom D., I will post some pics of the Philippines blade in the near future. We are having the house fumigated and roof done next month so pretty busy now.

Grey, Thanks, I saw the announcement of this show Aug2-Aug4 in Burlingame on someone's Facebook page? SF Marriott Waterfront. If Bob Benson is available, I can go up there and show the katana to him and get his advice. Will try to reach out to him today. Ray

My Nisei dad and mom received this gift from her father when they were married in Japan after WW2. My grandfather was sensei and had his own kendo dojo. We lived in Japan for 2 years in the early 1960’s when my dad was stationed in Korea with the 25th infantry division. I was in junior high school at that time. We visited my grandfather during the summers and he came to visit us in Tokyo several times. The katana was kept at my uncle’s home in Hawaii down in their garage. What you see in the pictures is it’s condition after my dad retrieved it in the 1980’s. Termites destroyed the wood Saya and the Tsuka is what’s left. My mom is now 92 and we are thinking about what to do with the katana. I think we would like to try and bring it back to the condition it was; when it was gifted. We would like to find out how to do this and what it would cost. I believe we will keep the legacy in the family. Comments and any other thoughts would be appreciated. I am not well informed on these matters. We have two other katana. One that my dad won in a kendo tournament in Hawaii when he was in high school. Another that my dad brought back from the Philippines. He was stationed there in MIS under General MacArthur during WW2. These are still in excellent condition as they were always kept here. Thanks. - RayM