Nihonto stuff to see in San Fran?

[Gakusee]

Dear fellow members,

I am staying for a couple of days in San Francisco with a few spare hours tomorrow. I was wondering if there was something or someone worthwhile seeing, acknowledging that most action is around the SF show itself.

Thank you very much for any tips,

Michael

[Ken-Hawaii]

I can't think of anything Nihonto-related, but go enjoy Ghirardelli Square, for a start.

 

The Northern California Japanese Sword club meets the third Sunday of each month at the Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Northern California, but they don't have an April meeting listed.

[Gakusee]

Thanks, Ken, appreciate the response. I have done the usual SF tourist stuff while here previously. Apparently there is an Asian Art Museum here but the online-hosted Japanese arms and armour collection does not seem too inspiring and half of the exhibits do not seem to be on display.

[ggil]

May be a bit late, but if I was you I’d get in contact with Fred Weissberg (club president) or Tom (vice pres). Either of those 2 or really any other club member besides me because I live 45 mi from the city and really don’t have much pieces or knowledge, so 90 miles round trip of crap traffic to hang out with me and my crazy brood...

[Kanenaga]

You just missed the SF Cherry Blossom Festival (April 13-21) where the NCJSC usually has a roomful of swords, fittings and related stuff on display for the public.  The SF Asian Art Museum is located right behind City Hall, and is well worth a visit, though not for its arms and armor display which is miniscule.

[Gakusee]

Thanks, Grant and Les, appreciate it.

Indeed a real pity I missed the cherry blossom festival. And also I wish I had more time to be able to visit Fred or other people outside, as suggested, but work prerogatives this time rule it out. Hopefully next time I shall have more time and better planning )

[1kinko]

If you go to Japantown you will find Asakichi who sells antiques (not real old), new boxes and tea utensils and tea.  I consider the Asian Art Museum to be the Chinese Art Museum, but you may find a book or 2 that may be useful and there could be a special exhibit, but the Japanese collection, including the De Young's netsuke collection seems to have  disappeared.