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token ichi

shrinkjag81
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shrinkjag81 Newbie

shrinkjag81

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Hello all I was planning on making my way over to Japan this year for the Token Ichi, can anyone give me any advice , I have never been to Japan dont speak the languge and am kind of nervous, Can anyone recomend any hotels right where the show is ? do people speak english at the shows or anywhere else for that matter? If there are any articles on this topic I would love to read them . Thanks again

Yitzy

Ford Hallam Grand Master

Ford Hallam

Posted
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Hi Yitzy,

 

No need to feel nervous. Japan is very safe and although many of the older generation don't often speak English you'll find that younger Japanese do and will generally be quite willing to help you get around.

 

You won't be alone, as a foreigner at the show, I'll be there too...along with quite a few others I know of. Communication at the show won't be impossible and most dealers are quite used to bumbling gaijin who mangle the Japanese language and who can't pronounce the word "tsuba" ;) , there's generally someone around to help out...

 

It does always help to learn a few basic phrases and the effort is always appreciated. You'll often find that your efforts to try some Japanese will be met with a greater willingness by Japanese people to them respond in English. This is the sort of politeness that can make trips to Japan a pleasure.

 

Accommodation would depend on budget but if you want to pm me I could give you some suggestions.

 

I think the biggest hurdle ( and it's not that difficult ) is on arrival, feeling tired and disorientated, getting from the airport to your hotel. Once you know where you will be staying I can help you figure out the best route/method.

 

regards, Ford

 

Brian, it might be an idea to start a thread for useful, swords dealing related Japanese phrases. For example, may I examine that tsuba, could you show me that sword, please. Do you take credit cards/ cash/ non vital organs in payment. You want how much?!!!! ...where's the nearest bar?

  • 1 month later...
Bugyotsuji Grand Master

Bugyotsuji

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Good idea about the phrases thread, Ford.

 

Perhaps there should be some simple rules, such as:

 

1. You have used this phrase and it worked.

2. There are two or three ways of saying this, but this is the shortest and easiest to remember.

3. Add a note or cultural comment to your useful phrase as a memory aid.

4. Avoid saying such & such, and the reason(s) why.

 

Finally.

Always remember the Japanese are happy for you to be a foreigner and will go out of their way to accommodate you. Body language generally works.

 

Eg.

 

a) How much? = Ikura? (Pron roughly ee-koo-ra) Note. Use of this tells the dealer you are interested in buying. Sometimes it's better to stay silent for a while and he may mentally lower the starting price.

Brian

Brian

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This is quite funny, but the reason I have never learned too many phrases when it comes to conversing..is that I found that it is great when you are able to say "how do I find XXX..." or "do you have any of these xxxx" but the problem comes in when they answer you, and you have no idea what they said :rotfl:

I can say a few phrases in Japanese, but am always scared of the reply. :lol:

If, on the other hand, you are seen from the beginning as not knowing too much Japanese, you will likely get help in a way you can understand hopefully.

Of course, I am trying to learn more Japanese (the gf seems to be better at it that I am) but i really respect those who have a decent grasp of another language. Just got to keep trying I guess.

 

Ikura des'ka - how much is this?

How do you politely say "too much, can you go lower?" or similar?

 

I also believe (and have experienced) that asking for tsuba, kozuka, kogatana etc in an antiques shop will get you nowhere. You should ask for "katana no-tsuba" or "katana no-ko'tska" ?

 

Brian

Guido Grand Master

Guido

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How do you politely say "too much, can you go lower?" or similar?
Nedan mo chotto benkyō-shite moraemasen ka? (Loosely translated "Could you be so kind as to study the the price a little more?")

 

I use it all the times, it's very polite and indirect, and often throws the dealer off balance. Almost always works. :D

Bugyotsuji Grand Master

Bugyotsuji

Posted
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How do you politely say "too much, can you go lower?" or similar?
Nedan mo chotto benkyō-shite moraemasen ka? (Loosely translated "Could you be so kind as to study the the price a little more?")

 

I use it all the times, it's very polite and indirect, and often throws the dealer off balance. Almost always works. :D

 

Hahaha... that's splendid Japanese!

 

How are you going to keep it up in that Northern Capital of yours? You must be making the mental switch to Han already. :glee:

 

PS For simplicity, use Guido's second and third words, "mou chotto?" and look hopefully at the dealer, wagging your tail. He will either say no, or if it is towards the end of the function...

  • 5 months later...
Chidokan Newbie

Chidokan

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I found I got a lot better discount when I went around with my Japanese iaido instructors/friends. It cut the langauge barrier straight out, and it helped me explain what I was looking for...I also got warned off stuff that was overpriced! Maybe their 'iai face' got me a good discount as well! Never pay the first asking price anyway...

I picked up a couple of lovely tsuba that I don't feel bad about using on my iai swords, and used the boxes for some antique tsuba I picked up in the UK that I found unboxed at an auction. Thats what I call value for money! :D

Guido Grand Master

Guido

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Reini, this pic was taken early on the opening day of the DTI, next to the vending machines on the 4'th floor. However, I'm not sure, it also could be a "bujinkan-face" ...

post-13-14196756419702_thumb.jpg

Aloof Pegasus Community Regular

Aloof Pegasus

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Yitzi

 

I don't know what time zone you're in- or if you work nights, but here in Cairo we're 7 hours behind Japan. Week before I went over this Xmas and New Year's I started going to bed earlier each night, and getting up at Tokyo time more or less.

 

Upshot was when they bundled us off the flight at 7:00 am Narita time I bounded into the terminal full of energy, (Got 6 hours on the flight :D fresh and smiling for the customs lady.

 

Everything is so easy and stress-free in the airport (and all over the country) and at the Shinkansen stations, all signs in English, everyone falling over themselves to help. If you can, do an internet Japanese lesson or three, so you can ask for a ticket and so on. Japanese are bad at other languages because their own is so easy- especially after Arabic for me.

 

Give you an example of shopping ease I managed to buy a pair of ipponbageta, have the hannoa changed and try 'em out in the shop- all without being arrested, which gives you some idea of Japanese forbearance.

 

Get ready for the best trip of your life.

 

Philip Loftus

tony edmunds Community Regular

tony edmunds

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Hi Guys

 

The Token Ichi sounds very interesting, is this the big Nihonto dealer show I've heard about. I'm planning an Autumn trip to Japan and I'd definitely change dates to be there just don't tell the wife!

By the way I'm working my through the Linguaphone course in Japanese and it's definitely added to my enjoyment to be able to speak a little of the language.

My favorite phrase when meeting sword people is:

 

Nihonto o benkyo shite imas- or I am studying/a student of Japanese swords, this seems to strike the right chord

 

Tony

reinhard Proficient

reinhard

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If I got this right, the "iai-face" is oscillating between being constipated (Ford) and heavenly relaxation afterwards (Guido). Thank you, gentlemen.

 

reinhard

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