omidaijo

Did the Peter York collection ever come up for sale?

Hi All, Does anyone have any recommendations for a tsukamaki-shi, preferably USA based, but anywhere without 500% import tariffs! I need two or three handles re-wrapping. David McDonald was my go-to guy but he has slowed right down with over a 1 year wait time. I am even thinking of giving it a try myself as I have watched 4 or 5 U-tube videos !!!!!! Just kidding - but I particularly like the guy that uses fluorescent green PE instead of silk Ito. I know we like to keep the craftsmen we use secret as we don't want them inundated/hacked off, so feel free to PM me! Thank you. Kind rgds, Roger

yeah.... I have 5 stitches from stopping a Tameshimei Katana sliding out of its scabbard during a martial arts class many years ago. Still got all my fingers and won't be doing that again I hope.

SATURDAY 2nd March 2024, 3pm

Hi All, We had a very good first meeting with about 10 people with varying levels of experience. Topics were sword etiquette, common flaws found in swords, and then viewing of about 12 swords. The two and a half hours passed really quickly and all who attended agreed that there should be another meeting - Saturday being the preferred day. so.... for a trial period, we are going to have a regular meeting on the FIRST SATURDAY of every month, at 3pm sharp, in the San Antonio area. If you want to be on the email list, please pm me and I will add you to the mailing list with venue details etc. It is important to get on the list so we can notify anyone with changes to venue. If anyone on this list is planning on attending and can bring along a piece or two, please do so --- whilst James and I have plenty of items for show and tell, we don't want to do all the talking! 2 March 2024, 3pm meeting we will talk briefly on sword hada (grain), then get onto the viewing. I will also be bringing a few Tameshimei swords for a brief introduction to the sword testers and different cutting tests. .... bring bandages, gags and iodine ..... Kind rgds, Roger and James "You were told 3pm, not 4pm !!"

Hi Everyone, Thanks to Mark Jones for the Vegas Japanese Sword section... as always some fabulous items to drool over. ..... and great to see Brian there all the way from South Africa. There is no truth in the rumour that he was stopped by the South African Airport Police on arrival with 4 katana stuffed down each trouser leg, which were apparently easy to spot due to difficulty walking off the aircraft. The large bore tanegashima/teppo pistol down the front of his trousers went un-noticed. The first San Antonio club meet will be held this coming Saturday, 3rd of Feb, at 3pm at the Bookstore at 5154 Broadway, San Antonio, TX78209. We would love to see anyone who can attend (its a free event!) ; novices, experts , anyone who has an interest in Japanese swords are all welcome. Because it is the first meeting, we will be starting off with the basics of sword etiquette and handling, flaws to avoid in your hunt for swords, and gokaden/features to look for in the sword. James and I will take some swords along as discussion material, and anyone can bring along their own Japanese swords regardless of age and condition (that is the sword age and condition!) . The more the merrier! Any Hizento will of course be confiscated at the door by myself, as will Juyo fittings by James. Whilst we realize that many of you live a prohibitively long way away, we hope to see some of you ...... if you can make it, please bring along a sword (or ten) to share with the group, and spread the word. Kind rgds, Roger & James

...and there will be armour at the odd meeting! ...so not just swords and fittings!

If the sword study group takes off and is well supported, I am hoping we/I can ressurect the San Antonio Sword Show at some time in the future.

Hi Okan, 100% Gimei! Sword looks nice though.

A sad loss to the world of Nihonto. It reminds us that we are but mortal caretakers to Samurai art and history that will be around for a long time, if, and only if, we share our knowledge as Darcy did.

100% Gimei

Hi Bazza, You are still kicking ? That's good news! I might have known you were hoarding all the choji-midare swords under the bed. Hi Hammish.... tks. Its all educated BS! And my father was called Mr Robertshaw--- I prefer Roger since according to my wife, I still have the mind of a 4 year old ! I have been taken to task already -- my spelling of Tsunobi (as in Tsunobi tanto) is incorrect. It should be Sun-nobi or Sunnobi Tanto --- thanks Jean. I stand corrected. Rog

The kabuto chop video was really great. Thanks Luc, I was surprised the zunari kabuto withstood the rather large katana blow if the video was genuine. The cutter was only wearing a pair of glasses and the spectators pretty close by, so safety in the work place was a little lacking. Kind of throws the Kotetsu legend of cutting a kabuto in half out of the window. Incidentally I have an early Edo kabuto with a horizontal sword cut in the back that cuts into one of the high? carbon ridges to a depth of about 2mm. I suspect the wearer would have been surprised, and knocked to the ground for sure. Whilst both the cuts (video and this one) demonstrate the protection afforded by a helmet, the blows would probably render your opponent with a sore neck if not in hospital. Similarly with arm protection - might stop a deep cut and glancing slices, but doesn't stop a bone fracture. Rog

I have several boroscopes and you can usually squeeze the 3 mm dia light head in through the 2 cm opening in the tehen and then spend an hour or two figuring out which way is up and the kanji. Remember to thoroughly clean the endoscope first in case Granny has used it for the purpose it was originally designed. I also restore armour and it takes about 500yds of hemp thread and 4 days to make a decent Ukebari, followed by a week in rehab from going insane! Why would anyone in their right mind cut an ukebari. May as well take a grinder to the kabuto to cut a hole or use the above posted method (love it!). Nice kabuto. Rog