Photos and Video from San Francisco Token-Kai 2021

[Kaigunto230]

I'm home now after my first sword show at the San Francisco Token-Kai. I had an incredible time, learned so much, made a few purchases, met some great people, and can't wait to attend another show. For those that missed it, here's a few photos and a video I took of the event. My camera is just an older iPhone, so I imagine there are better photos out there, but here's what I've got.

 

Me up and ready bright and early for the day. My wife tagged along for the morning, but I was left free rein for the afternoon

 

 

 

I went back and looked at this BEAUTIFUL sword several times. A Hizento by the second generation, the owner had just completed a daisho by the first generation Tadayoshi and was selling this example from the same school:

 

 

 

One of the best attendees was this little friend:

 

A MASSIVE o-dachi:

 

 

A Yoroi-dōshi (edited for spelling, thanks Piers D!). I had been hoping to see one!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ha ha ha, I'm not quite sure about the science here, but a great way to build community, and the dealer was incredibly nice!

 

Very few kyu gunto present. I had been hoping to study more, but honestly, I think there were perhaps 3 total.

 

Of course, I was foolish and didn't get a good photo of this display, which was several Juyo works, and the most expensive was $175,000. Beautiful!!

[Kaigunto230]

Here's the shot of my loot upon getting home! I need to properly take photos and kantai the two katana I purchased, so those will be in the "Nihonto" sub-forum sometime in the next month.

 

And finally is the short walkaround video I took. I didn't want to be too obtrusive, so it's probably about a third of the booths and really just a glancing view of most. But fun to see everyone!

 

[1kinko]

Pretty sparse of consumers. Next year you’ll be elbow to elbow and meet a lot more enthusiasts. Thanks for the pics.

[Stephen]

Great fun thank you.

May i ask who was supplying the mouth sanitizer? I have a good guess but dont want to say his name n be wrong.

[Brian]

THANK YOU!
I was hoping someone would share some pics. You did a great job. Looks like a lot of fun was had.

[Bugyotsuji]

Thanks for all the eye sweets, er… candy!

 

Yoroi piercing? Hmmm… Rather it passes by or slips between the sections of yoroi, to the back, neck etc., so ‘Yoroi-dōshi’.

According to some sources, also known as 馬手差し Metezashi..., worn at the right hip.

[Ian B3HR2UH]

Many thanks for posting this Michael . I have always wondered what one of the American shows would look like and yours is the first decent photographic coverage that I can recall seeing . You were lucky to be there. 

Ian brooks

[Kaigunto230]

  On 8/11/2021 at 5:28 AM, Stephen said:

May i ask who was supplying the mouth sanitizer? I have a good guess but dont want to say his name n be wrong.

Expand  

Shoot, sorry, but I didn’t catch his name. It looks like he’s a regular though; his booth and back of his head (presumably) is in this 2016 video at 1:41, and he’s got Maker’s Mark then too:

 . Like I said, really nice gentleman.

 

Thanks, everyone, for the nice comments! It was just so FUN to hold things in hand and actually talk with people about this niche topic in person. 

[kissakai]

Thanks Michael for taking the time to post these images and to all the organizers who put on this show in the most trying of times

 

[b.hennick]

Thanks, Michael! The crowd seemed small compared to what I remember for the San Francisco show.

[Stephen]

Tks not my guy glad i didn't say his name.

Hope to make it one more time. Pint on me mate.

 

[Toryu2020]

Some more photos here...

[Toryu2020]

and mor e

 

[Toryu2020]

and more

 

[Peter Bleed]

It looks like the show was packed and active. Thanks for showing us!

Peter

[Kaigunto230]

Beautiful @Toryu2020!! Thank you!

[Michaelr]

Looks like it was a Great show. Thank you for sharing the pictures   

   MikeR

[roger dundas]

From over here- just staggering.

Roger j

[Toryu2020]

and more...

 

[Toryu2020]

more - apologies for any repeats...

 

[Open_market]

Got to enjoy Saturday afternoon at the show. What an opportunity to learn. I got captured in MichaelSeeley's video - that was me in the wheel chair. Would have loved to make all three days...

 

    - Rick

 

[Peter Bleed]

Thanks, lots of great items to look at!

Peter

[Kaigunto230]

Did anyone else make some purchases at the show? I'd love to see them (always fun to enjoy without spending your own money!)!

For me, here's the first of my two swords:

I plan to kantei the other one soon.

[Tom Darling]

Michael,  congratulations you've got a new job, video all the Shows, best I've seen in a longtime.  Very much appreciated.  Good hunting. I also love your kitty.

[Greg F]

Thomas thanks very much for sharing this . Some beautiful stuff

[Tom Darling]

I forgot to mention, you are the youngest collector there and proves are hobby will continue for evermore.  

[Kaigunto230]

  On 8/16/2021 at 2:13 AM, Tom Darling said:

Michael,  congratulations you've got a new job, video all the Shows, best I've seen in a longtime.  Very much appreciated.  Good hunting. I also love your kitty.

Expand  

Thanks @Tom Darling! I’m not sure when the next show I’ll get to attend will be, but I’m positive it’ll happen some time. 
 

Our cat is pretty great  We got him when we lived in Japan. He’s naughty and kind of dim sometimes, but we love him.

[Kaigunto230]

And here's my second kantei of my other purchase from the show:

 

[Toryu2020]

[Toryu2020]