e_v

Did not see the incident "live", but website defacement is usually script kiddie business: they usually just scan for easy, technically vulnerable targets, not for a meaningful one. Often the defacer includes a political or philosophical claim, but, just like what happens in random political graffiti on urban walls, the location of the claim (hacked wesite or wall) is often just an opportunistic one. And yes, in any case, we all disagree with the vandalism, but agree with the message.

After looking at local suppliers, a few EU based websites and even hunting for it at this year's S.F. Token Kai, I ended up ordering from Japan: http://sanmei.com/contents/en-us/d23.html 2 sageos + shipment + customs costed less than 1 similar sageo in Europe, so I felt less guilty when I opened my parcel and my wife asked why I received fancy silk cords...

Well, a new sword can be much more happiness for sure, but an unexpected new sageo on an average wednesday can put a smile on your face too. I just received a Japanese made silk nakafuji sageo, to match the ito on my wakizashi koshirae and I thought I'd share a picture: I've been looking for this style of braid for some time with no luck, so I'm really happy I finally tied this cord to my saya (the knot is not perfect, but it's the best I could do myself). If anybody has a favourite sageo style and wants to share it, feel free to post here

I can add a bit of information regarding the countries I have experience with: - Italy: don't send it there. Customs would seize the parcel and you'd have trouble, because recently they decided any Japanese blade is a weapon (fun trivia: the italian law states clearly that stilettos, bayonets, switchblades and double edged blades are the only bladed objects needing a licence, but for some reason nihontos get seized too) - Switzerland: no problem, just specify it's an antique object as suggested above.

I only have one wakizashi and, since I also have only one katana kake, I keep it over my iaito:)

I can only agree with James: overwhelming for a newbie And I'm happy I wasn't caught in the video: my wife dragged me in a 10 miles walk under California's sun and I had an embarassing sun burnt red face

Due to a series of lucky coincidences, it looks like I'll be in SF during the show: I cannot afford a shopping spree, but it would be a heresy to miss it. Cannot wait to be there!

I have to say that I find it cute But yes, at 45k yen it's somehow expensive.

Last year I was welcomed by the ladies too. And, by the way, Aoi proved to be the most gaijin friendly sword shop I visited

Thomas, I'd be a liar if I'd say I did not curse your name reading your story Jokes apart, congrats for the great find! I bet it will inspire a few treasure hunters to burn some hard earned money in romantic, mysterious auctions

I'm patting on my rookie back: Edo Heianjo zogan was my guess too

So today was a lucky day and I had some time to play with my sword, so here's a couple pictures of the tsuba that came with it: https://www.dropbox.com/s/3n295s392e108ka/IMG_0565.jpg?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/c6z2yg36drvalmq/IMG_0566.jpg?dl=0

Like most of us, I'm already an avid reader of Markus' books: I think I'll get also the tosogu one. I'll post a picture of my tsuba as soon as I spend an evening at home!

Thanks for all the good hints: my curiosity towards tsuba accelerated, because I recently bought a wakizashi that came with a complete koshirae, so I found myself holding my first antique tsuba and realised I had no idea what I was looking at. With your help, now I can say my blade mounts a mumei heianjo tsuba. And my book wishlist grew a little, and my wife is a little bit more anxious

Kevin, Please keep us updated on your kumihimo adventure: I wondered a few times how steep the learning curve is and following the experience of someone who is just starting would be interesting.