BryanW

I have nothing to add other than thank you for this thread and suggestions. I may have the opportunity to go next year myself.

Thanks everyone!

Thanks Grey (and Stephen)! Hopefully the pictures come through. (EDIT: If you need a photo of something specific let me know. Thanks again.)

I bought a nice crafted wooden sword box for storage off etsy of all places on a whim. It looks decent in person but when it arrived it was off-gassing fumes that I suspect are VOCs from the stain though I cannot rule out glue used somewhere (though I suspect its the stain used on the exterior). I'm letting it air out but I suspect I won't be using it anywhere near anything antique including nihonto. That said, for any of the woodworkers or crafts-people out there, are these fumes dangerous to a blade (and if so, how long until something is ok to use...a week...a month....never?)? I can't seem to find anything definitive on a quick search. Thanks in advance.

I'm interested in these too if someone knows where to get them still! I cannot seem to find them anywhere.

Sorry if this is a dumb question but I'd rather look silly as a newbie on the forum than do something horrible to a blade. Those cotton flannel gun cloths that have silicone in them.....does anyone use them on nihonto or do you just stick with oil? I assume the answer is "stick with oil" for the same reason sprays and wax aren't used, but I couldn't find a definitive answer on a quick search of the forum (but plenty of topics on what oil to use!). Thanks in advance.

Greetings everyone. I, like many posting here for the first time, am new to the wonders of nihonto. Most of my love for swords and technique previously resided in the European sectors. My collection mirrored this focus, with each piece representing a stage in my journey. However, after an introduction to certain arts, I began dabbling in eastern styles as well. Soon one thing led to another and with a few years of additional experience, I had accumulated several related production pieces, as always, some for use and others for display. Again, each acquired blade represented a particular experience, change in view, or accomplishment related to that area. At this point, I am ready to expand my cherished display collection to include at least one genuine antique nihonto, representing that area of focus, time spent, and love for the art. I'm happy to have found these boards and the knowledge contained within. Hopefully a few of you will be kind and patient enough to mentor me during my initial journey into nihonto and beyond. I am scheduled to visit Japan in about 2 years so hopefully I will have a little more knowledge by that time as well. Thank you again in advance.