Seki-City Festival - Should I Go?

[Liveblades]

Just looking for impressions from you gentlemen that have been to the Seki-city blade festival. I am finally going to visit Japan after spending 10 years bouncing around South East Asia. On that note, any recommendations for good places to visit for someone interested in Nihonto and all things related.... including possibly doing some shopping.

 

Mods please move if this is the wrong forum, my apologies.

[Ken-Hawaii]

Brian, that's a pretty open-ended question. If I was going to look at Nihonto in Japan, I'd visit any of a dozen temples, the Bizen-Osafune Sword Village in Okayama, or pretty much any castle. I've never been to the Seki-city blade festival, but a quick Google search tells me that it's for knives, rather than Nihonto.

 

Please do a bit of research to find out what interests you the most, & then come back & ask us. We love to help people who know what they are looking for. Welcome to the forum.

 

Ken

 

[Yoshimichi]

07/20/16

9:02 p.m.

 

Dear Brian:

 

Like Ken said: Welcome to the forum. I agree with Ken that this looks more like a custom/modern knife/blade show. Are you interested in modern blades/cutlery, older historical period swords, armor, fittings, visiting historical sites in Japan, castles, Japanese history? This information will help members give you a bit more useful advise. When are you planning to go to Japan? The time of year you plan to be there can change the recommendations regarding things and places to see.

 

If you are not heading over to Japan before September, and if you can see your way clear to do so, I would strongly recommend attending the San Francisco Token Kai (sword show) August 12, 13 &14. The information can be found at www.nihonto.com. One: you will see hundreds and hundreds of sword, fittings, weapons, and armor, and Two: you will meet and speak with so many people who have been to Japan numerous times, and are happy to share their experiences and knowledge with you.

 

If your schedule will not allow you to attend the show, give us some more particulars about when you are going, how long you will be there, and what City you will be using as your home base while over there, and we can share some ideas about what you may enjoy seeing.

 

Regards,

Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi) 

[Liveblades]

Hey guys, thanks for the welcome!

 

I have a fluid itinerary, its pretty standard. I fly into Narita around mid September. I kick around the country after that. I might make up loop starting by heading up to Nagano then over to the West coast and working my way down until I cut over to Kyoto, then landing in Osaka. I stay for a week, maybe three. I don't have anything specific in mind, I was just looking for a suggestion or two for someone going the first time.

 

I'd say my primary interest would be seeing historical blades and fittings. Shopping for new stuff would be great, but I'm not in the market for the high-end stuff.

 

If I make it all the way down to Okayama I certainly check out Osafune. And I'll certainly look for some castles to see.

 

Thanks again!

[Brian]

Brian, here are some good threads worth reading for someone visiting Japan:

 

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/13583-18-days-in-Japan

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/4065-visiting-Japan-places-to-go-shops-to-see

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/9629-2012-summer-trip-to-Japan/

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/8435-if-you-had-but-once-chance-to-visit-Japan

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/6645-visiting-Japan-this-christmas

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/4323-Japan-for-our-honeymoon

[Yoshimichi]

07/22/16

10:30 p.m.

 

Dear Brian:

 

If you are around Kyoto in October, the Kyoto National Museum is having an exhibit of Sakamoto Ryoma's items. Here's the link: http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201606260033.html

 

Kyoto has a great flea Market the 25th of every month at the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. Swords, armor, fittings, and other very cool nihonto related stuff priced reasonably. 

 

Great Kyoto Shrines: Kiyomizu-dera (the best, especially early in the morning!), Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion)

 

Best, pretty much original UNESCO Castles: Himeji (incredible!), Matsumoto (Great weapons/matchlock collection!), Hikone (Seen in the movie "Shogun"), and Inuyama. All are accessible and do-able in a day trip from Tokyo by Bullet train. Nijo Castle (Nightingale floors) in Kyoto is also worth seeing. The garden is pretty amazing.

 

Tokyo (NBTHK) Sword Museum and the Yasukuni Shrine museum in Tokyo are pretty amazing. Yasukuni Shrine holds a flea market, I think every Sunday. Cool flea market with some sword fittings and other items one can easily bring back in a suitcase.

 

Sengakuji Shrine (Graves of 47 Ronin) in Tokyo (a must see). Nikko (Tokugawa Tomb), and Hakone (Great Day trip).

 

I am sure other NMB members can give you great leads on some good sword shops to visit. A Japan Rail Pass is a real bargain!

 

Have a great trip!

 

Regards,

Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)