Toryu2020

Jussi - That was Mike Yamasaki... https://tetsugendo.com

Stephen - Al Herr was the guy with the bourbon on his table. Steven - I don't know what a surf spot t-shirt is so cannot tell you who we're talking about... -t

Some more...

I tried posting the last dozen or so last night and I guess that failed - will try again tonight... -t

Have you guys seen enough or should I post more?

Brought in by Eric Molinier - claimed it was a much abused Shinshinto blade purposely made to look old... -t

Jibei(no) Suke...

more - apologies for any repeats...

Nice Stephen

and more...

and more

Yurie san It was a pleasure meeting you at the San Francisco Taikai - I mentioned I had ordered the hardback and you mentioned the paper shortage. Well I'm not sure where the paper shortage is because I got my book yesterday! It looks to be a fine addition to my library... -t

and mor e

Some more photos here...

It really and truly was education on par with the best displays in Japan. We at the NCJSC are grateful that the NBTHK/AB would choose our event for such a display. If there was any failing it was that we did not get the word out soon enough for more people to learn of this event and plan to be there. Given the times we are living in, this was understandable. -tch

Darrel - I believe with museums they want you to have to buy a ticket so they don't like photographs. In this case these were items held by private individuals, they want to reserve the right to publish at some point and they want the little added layer of security knowing their very valuable collections are not public knowledge. Barry - I do not think a publication is planned since several of the items were last minute adds but the NBTHK/AB may post a listing at some point... -t

Well Mark, I am afraid youre going to be disappointed. I can certainly post pictures of the show and will do so elsewhere. This display was fantastic - can hardly think of anything in Japan that was it's equal. In the end there were 10, ten! Yamato blades, most being Juyo, and text book examples of the very best of the five main schools. The fittings did not disappoint either. I think it was nine examples of Goto Ichijo work, all excellent works. The Ichinomiya Nagatsune stuff was just tops and seeing the sketchbooks alongside each piece allowed one to see how the artist made subtle changes to each design in the execution that really improved upon the original concepts. I wound up spending way more time in the room than I had planned but it was well worth it. Unfortunately NO PHOTOS ALLOWED! -t

Very glad to hear you enjoyed it and nice to see you made a find... -t

Bruce - I see nothing gets past you...

From the phrase - 布施ない経に袈裟落 - Fuse Naikyo ni Kesa wo Ochiru When the alms are not delivered the (Priests) sash will easily fall... Starting to make sense... -t

持越前翁 I am pretty confident about these four, thanks very much for the insight into the others that first kanji being struck by the mekugi-ana makes it difficult but this is brlliant! -t

another shot

The owner can read the Omote - Echizen O wo Motte however the Ura has us all stumped - I suppose Nobody will ever be able to read this... -t