Local NBTHK New Year Gathering

[Bugyotsuji]

Last year we rented the newly refurbished castle for an evening of jollity. Some swords were laid out for Kantei appreciation, and a table of prizes was set up for the Bingo game after dinner. The members had all been asked to bring along an interesting object. Some of them made by local Osafuné artisans were really good!

Dinner was a ‘Viking’ help yourself affair.

Our Chairman spoilt my evening by asking me to give an impromptu speech. The evening was further ruined as I was asked to check several Bingo cards of members who could not be present. It was only afterwards that I realized none of them was actually mine… so despite the adequate numbers, zero prizes for stupid.

 

Tomorrow is the 2024 gathering. I am thinking of giving a large limited-edition illustrated book of a famous sword collection. I have also fixed my Robin Hood door knocker onto a slice of beautifully ringed wood… someone will surely love that!!! Tonight I’ll sleep on it and decide whether to give one or both to the prizes table.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bazza]

'Like' with the proviso that the Phillips head screws are replaced with something more arsetistic...

 

BaZZa.

[Bugyotsuji]

1 hour ago, Bazza said:

'Like' with the proviso that the Phillips head screws are replaced with something more arsetistic...

 

BaZZa.

Agreed. I went round and round the house in order to find some better solution. Nothing! The top and bottom fixing holes are quite large, obviously designed for Western screws. It's now 11:20 pm and I'm tired and giving up for the night. Might make a quick visit to the hardware store tomorrow.

[Bugyotsuji]

No more time!!! 
 

Best Bodge 2024 Award 

 

 

[Bazza]

It really is a good-looking trophy and I love the wood...

 

BaZZa.

[Stephen]

1 hour ago, Bazza said:

love the wood

@Bugyotsuji is that Zebra wood?

[Bugyotsuji]

Enju, 槐 Japanese pagoda tree, Stephen.

[Bugyotsuji]

Prizes this evening.

 

This year much more low key, with only 16 members staying on for the dinner afterwards. Last year we hired the castle and there were around 60 participants.
 

(PS Don’t ask!)

 

Table left.

 

Table right.

 

 

 

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Oh, one of the blades this evening was a Muramasa tanto. Interestingly, the -masa part of the Mei was erased centuries ago. Probably something to do with the Tokugawa allergy. It just said 村..................

[Stephen]

1 hour ago, Bugyotsuji said:

Mei was erased centuries ago. 

Good thing otherwise it might have bit you.

[Bugyotsuji]

Yes, I was bitten by the Muramasa bug...

 

(Actually about four or five years ago I did have an experience with a Muramasa which took a bite out of my savings.)

[Bugyotsuji]

The conversation at dinner was pretty random but somehow we all managed to share stuff. One lady suddenly asked me out of the blue if the English language is really based on Latin as they say.

 

I cleared my throat and said, "Let me give you a little lecture on the history of the English language. I reckon 30 minutes should be enough...." Both tables, 16 people in all, fell silent and their polite faces turned to look at me, and I realized they had not got my joke. Ulp! 

 

Later I told my wife about this and she didn't find it funny at all. She said they were secretly thinking, "Oh God, here we go!"