Myth Hunter

[Derek]

Just saw a Myth Hunters episode on AHC (Renamed from Military Channel) Episode was "Lost Sword of the Samurai"

http://www.ahctv.com/tv-shows/myth-hunt ... ters-video

 

Surprised to see a few familiar faces! Clive and Ian did very well!

Some of the discussion by the narrator were a bit off, but still a very interesting program. Check it out if you are able.

 

Derek

[watsonmil]

Dear Derek,

Thank you for the link. Although I have seen dozens of still photographs and perhaps one or two motion picture " sword Surrenders ", ... I had not seen this one. Good to see familiar faces. My only criticism would be that it was a bit too short.

... Ron Watson

[Derek]

Hi Ron,

The link was just to the preview of the show. The actual program aired last night; it was a one hour show. The parts with Clive and Ian were brilliant. I do take issue about the way the narrator took some liberty with nihonto history. Overall though, very entertaining.

 

Derek

[Stephen]

airing again March 23 at 8 PM and 11PM

 

http://military.channelfinder.net/v2_start_650x450.asp

for you state side to find your local chl.

 

top right hand corrner of Derek link has AHC links it your not.

[IanB]

Thank you for your kind words, but in reality I hate these talking head episodes since you have no idea how your contribution will be used. During the filming you sit there spouting your banal answers to banal, but generally innocent questions, only to find your input has been artfully edited and re-arranged to suit the opinions of the producer. I did another last week to earn a bit of cash for the Royal Armouries Museum, twittering on about swords, bows and armour. I understand the final programme will be about 'Ninja', a subject I made clear to the film crew I steer well clear of. We shall see if I end up appearing to support the whole concept. At least I was not asked on this occasion to wander about in the darkened Royal Armouries' stores with a torch, 'searching' for an item', as I once was. That particular film crew got a tetchy when I pointed out that electric lighting had in fact reached as far as the 'North of England', that the Armouries had paid the electric bill and that we had a system that told us exactly where every object was either stored or on display. Even worse was a crew who were photographing our elephant armour. It had to be done after hours and I drew the short straw and ended up supervising them. It took about 1.5 hours just to set up lights, about another hour whilst the photographer took endless, apparently unsatisfactory Polaroids. By 8.00pm I told him he had another 15 minutes and then I was kicking them out - to which he wailed 'The problem is it just isn't saying elephant to me!'

Ian Bottomley

[Adam M]

Very interesting footage, some of which I have never seen before.

[cabowen]

Frankly, I was disappointed. You would have thought that the narrator could have at the very least mastered the correct pronunciation of "Masamune"...

[Derek]

Yes Chris, that was my feeling as well. Again, I thought Ian and Clive were very entertaining, but the narrator was less so. The pronunciation of "Masamune" made me cringe. Also, the Honjo Masamune being the finest sword ever made? Hmmmm. We all know of Masamune's reputation, but the show made it sound like he invented everything swordmaking.

On the other hand, it was nice to see a new show on television dedicated to nihonto. New people interested in nihonto are always a good thing. My wife, who has absolutely no interest in nihonto, actually sat through the program and asked a few questions afterwards.

It is also possible that a program like this may lead to someone finding another nihonto brought home after the war. Even if the Honjo Masamune is long gone, perhaps a different prewar kokuho, or even a nice old koto in gendaito mounts that was taken as a souvenir may surface.

 

Derek

[cabowen]

True, but what made me sick was the way they made it out that the Honjo Masamune, and other such treasure, would be kept in Japan or somehow taken away. This just drives these things further underground...