takakage Posted August 10, 2013 Report Posted August 10, 2013 Hi, What are the swords shops and museums at Kyoto ? Thanks for your answer. Have a nice day. Quote
Brian Posted August 10, 2013 Report Posted August 10, 2013 I found Kyoto lousy for sword shops. But there are a bunch of antiques shops with fittings on Shinmonzen-dori. Worth spending a day browsing, but they are VERY expensive. Brian Quote
cabowen Posted August 10, 2013 Report Posted August 10, 2013 I agree with Brian. There are few sword shops and most of the antique dealers cater to the tourist and expat market, meaning prices are very high. If you are into traditional Japanese ceramics-modern and antique, check out Robert Yellin's new gallery-you won't be disappointed. Kyoto is the place for tea and temples, not so much for swords. Quote
george trotter Posted August 10, 2013 Report Posted August 10, 2013 I only know one sword shop in Kyoto, but there may be more... Kuraya Hashimoto swords is near the NIJOJO (Nijo Castle in the centre of Kyoto). If you come out of the main gate, turn right and walk to the corner of the castle. Keeping straight, walk across the crosswalk to the shop on the opposite corner...it is Kuraya Hashimoto. He had (2010) lots of swords...His sign is in Japanese only (you can ask where it is) but as he has swords in the window you should see it. Worth a look anyway...he ships overseas I think. Quote
Brian Posted August 10, 2013 Report Posted August 10, 2013 Osaka is just next door to Kyoto..and I think there are one or 2 sword shops there. Brian Quote
takakage Posted August 10, 2013 Author Report Posted August 10, 2013 Gentlemen, thanks a lot for the answer. Of course if Osaka is near give me some adress please. Thnaks. Quote
cabowen Posted August 10, 2013 Report Posted August 10, 2013 Gentlemen, thanks a lot for the answer. Of course if Osaka is near give me some adress please. Thnaks. 勇進堂 http://www.yushindou.com/ 明倫産業 http://www.nipponto.co.jp/ 龍神堂 http://www.osaka-ryujindo.jp/ Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted August 10, 2013 Report Posted August 10, 2013 Patrick, even closer to Kyoto is Okayama which definitely has some sword shops. I heartily recommend the Bizen-Osafune Sword Village (http://en.japantourist.jp/view/osefune-sword-museum) where you can both see Nihonto & watch them being made. About 250 feet north on the same road is another shop which has locally-made gendaito for sale. And there is at least one very nice shop in Okayama that my wife & I visited, but I can't remember the name (Piers, can you help here?). Brian & Chris are absolutely correct that swords are extremely expensive in that area. In the sword shop I mentioned, I showed the owner a photo of one of my Bizen katana in koshirae & asked him what it would cost in his shop. He quoted me approximately ¥1.2 million, which is almost exactly 10 times what I paid for it! So buying your Nihonto here in the U.S. will likely save you quite a few dollars/yen/whatever. Ken Quote
george trotter Posted August 11, 2013 Report Posted August 11, 2013 I think Ando Trading is a good one to visit in Okayama. They have one floor just swords (2010)...must have had 40 swords on stands on little tables, you can walk among them and look. I only noticed 3 worth looking at (only ones in sashikomi) :lol: Near centre of town...a few minutes walk from end of tram line....I suggest you do some googling with maps... Quote
takakage Posted August 11, 2013 Author Report Posted August 11, 2013 Please, an other question, is someone has got an e-mail adress of asakusa vista hotel of Tokyo ? Thanks. Quote
Jean Posted August 11, 2013 Report Posted August 11, 2013 Patrick, I have seen they have changed of management. Contact Marc Broquin, I think he has the info. Quote
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