Japan Day 2008 Liverpool

[w.y.chan]

This show was attended by the new Japan ambassador to the UK Shin Ebihara. Event was very well attended probably a thousand came through the door at my university (its were I work) with Taiko drummers, martial arts, arts & crafts, etc, and also members of the Northern To-ken with swords & armour on display. A fine sword collection from Chris.

My role was Liverpool08 and university press photographer for the day, here is a picture of Ian Bottomley hope he don't mind me posting here

[IanB]

Oh dear. Isn't there enough suffering in the world with having my mug-shot displayed? :lol:

Yes, the day was highly successful. Hundreds of people came to view our display, and many even asked intelligent questions. As usual the ToKen members rallied around and put on a wonderful show of fine blades, superb koshirae and some interesting helmets and armour. Apart from a real clanger dropped by yours truely I was proud of the effort. One of our members had emailed me that he was bringing a Gassan Sadakazu blade that I somehow read as Sadakatsu and stuck it in the display case alonside the blade without even looking at the signature. Very embarrassing.

Ian bottomley

[w.y.chan]

Hi Ian,

You are the celebrity TV star, who else could best place to have a photo of that represent the northern To-ken

Actually I thought for a brief moment could it be Sadaichi the late Ningen Kokuho sometimes referred to as Sadakazu II since it was labelled 1930s but everything points to Meiji era, a fine blade.

 

Do you know if this new Japanese ambassador continue the honorary patron of your society as his predecessor was?

[IanB]

The rather sudden departure of Nogami San took us and others by surprise. We even had a bound copy of the newsletters from last year to give to him as we had done previously. We shall of course make diplomatic representations to the new encumbant through the correct channels.

 

Ian