WoodbridgeGaijin Posted April 16, 2007 Report Posted April 16, 2007 I spent the better part of the day in this shop, they were the nicest people, I looked at every single item they had, I even picked up a mekugi that must have fallen off on to the floor and stared at it in amazement (can you tell I was awe struck by Japan as a whole?) The proprietor in the pic even went outside and sat with my wife and talked with her while I continued to drool over Kozuka and Tsubas with Nanako so finely detailed, modern E.D.M machines would have a tough time duplicating. Anyways, in short, I wanted to send them a "thank you" but I can not remember the name of the shop and the Meishi they gave me were in the luggage we lost. All I know is that the concierge at the Park Hyatt deserved a good "get a hold of yourself" smack for telling us it was only a 20 minute walk to get there. Quote
Nobody Posted April 16, 2007 Report Posted April 16, 2007 Hi, I think that it might be Aoi-Art (葵美術). But I am unsure, because I have not been there for more than 6 years. http://www.aoi-art.com/ What do other people think? Ichi, Henry,.............others.... Quote
Ichi Posted April 16, 2007 Report Posted April 16, 2007 Yup, It's Aoi. The way they sell these days, in two or three years from now, all swords will be gone from the land of rising sun Aoi Art 4-22-11 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 151-0053 Japan TEL +81-3-3375-5553 FAX +81-3-3375-5459 e-mail to: info@aoi-art.com Quote
WoodbridgeGaijin Posted April 16, 2007 Author Report Posted April 16, 2007 Thank you so much Ichi and Nobody. I really appreciate it. Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted April 17, 2007 Report Posted April 17, 2007 Definitely Aoi. And I think we parked at the same place you did, too. There seems to be an infinite number of Nihonto sold from shops like this. Does anyone have a vague idea of just how many swords were created in Japan? Quote
WoodbridgeGaijin Posted April 17, 2007 Author Report Posted April 17, 2007 You parked at the same place? Do you mean the Park Hyatt Tokyo? I stayed at the Park Hyatt for two weeks before moving on to Kyoto. I was there on my honeymoon, I actually wrote Darcy before I went and asked him if there was somewhere for a guy on a budget to buy a decent sword. His answer was quite polite but I will leave the rest up to you. (LOL) You figure 63000Yen a night for two weeks....If I would have left the wife at home I could have bought a decent beginner sword, and why not...she left me! I'm sure everyone here will appreciate seeing the forums newest member in his Yukata. Bill Murray's chest is not as hairy as mine and I don't think he had a huge Italian necklace on either. Supossed to be funny guys. Some of you are throwing up...I know it! lol Quote
WoodbridgeGaijin Posted April 17, 2007 Author Report Posted April 17, 2007 I would like to apologize to all the members for the poor forum etiquette and not signing my posts. Sincerely, V.Giardina Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted April 17, 2007 Report Posted April 17, 2007 Well, I'm not putting my photo on this forum (I want to stay a member!), but I think you've got about 1/3 the amount of body hair that I do. My son is still complaining about what he inherited...his Japanese wife shaves him every week! Ouch!! Yeah, we stayed at the Park Hyatt a number of years ago, although not when we went to Aoi. I quickly figured that we could stay at a nice onsen for about half what we paid there, so that's what we did. But we have family all over Japan, so it's hard for us to just wander off these days without one clan family or another inviting us to stay with them. And we of course need to stay in everyone's good graces. Sigh. Our daughter-in-law explained recently why we're so damn popular: my wife & I hold dan rank in Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iaido. We're evidently the only living members of the Yoshida clan who are actively studying Iaido, & everybody wants to know what we do & how we like it. The fact that I hold three other black belts (& Linda one other) isn't important - it's the sword that has them so enthralled. Quote
Ichi Posted April 17, 2007 Report Posted April 17, 2007 I thought only Michael Jackson and Tom Cruise stay at Park Hyatt Tokyo. Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted April 17, 2007 Report Posted April 17, 2007 Ichi, I'm guessing that you're probably not married. Husbands stay where wives want them to stay.... Quote
WoodbridgeGaijin Posted April 17, 2007 Author Report Posted April 17, 2007 You guys crack me up. You are so lucky to have family there, maybe I should go back and scout out a new wife... last one didn't work out so well. Perhaps I could hang out at Daimaru or Odakyu and meet a nice wealthy Japanese woman....with poor vision....that way I can at least tell her I'm good looking. V.Giardina Quote
Stephen Posted April 17, 2007 Report Posted April 17, 2007 to throw in a line about sword shops...thread getting way off track,,,,body hair give me a break! Quote
w.y.chan Posted April 17, 2007 Report Posted April 17, 2007 Ichi, I'm guessing that you're probably not married. Husbands stay where wives want them to stay.... Not in Japan, Like 50s America it is a mans world Quote
Brian Posted May 6, 2007 Report Posted May 6, 2007 Must thank the original poster for this message. When I was in Tokyo 2 weeks ago, and visiting Aoi, I was desperately trying to explain to them that I was a collector, and what the forum was that I run. So to explain, I logged on in their shop, and showed them this post. Well..that did the trick, and suddenly the ice was broken and all went well. Great people. Tiny shop..but judging from the number of swords in the strongroom that were being packed to go out, they do a roaring trade. Brian Quote
WoodbridgeGaijin Posted May 6, 2007 Author Report Posted May 6, 2007 Glad everything went well for you Brian. They certainly are nice people. Did you wind up purchasing anything on your trip? Val Giardina Quote
Brian Posted May 6, 2007 Report Posted May 6, 2007 Val, I bought too much :D Had to buy another suitcase early on..lol Not good when you are touring with lots of walking and supposed to only have a backpack. Quite a few books, and then some fittings and a yari in shirasaya and a jumonji yari blade only. There was soooo much I wanted to buy, but I spent half my total budget in one day, and the 2 really nice tsuba I was lusting after would not accept credit card at the show in Kyoto. Aoi gave me a nice book on kantei and a great catalog to my gf...who gave it to me for long term storage I would love to go back really soon, and trawl all the markets. I saw many fantastic fittings in the antique shops, but prices were insane on many of them. Not much that isn't priced at its market price, but there are a few bargains out there. Picked up a batch of 11 yajiri (arrow heads) that was a really good deal. Half of them signed and one is a sukashi presentation one. So yes..I made a few purchases :D Quite a few I really regret not buying..including a very nice sword stand that I was an idiot for not taking. 2 days in most towns does not allow for enough decent browsing. Regards, Brian Quote
WoodbridgeGaijin Posted May 7, 2007 Author Report Posted May 7, 2007 The Yajiri are signed? I don't think I have ever seen a signed Yajiri.Sounds like you made out quiet well. A fellow shopaholic huh? I agree two days is not enough,I spent 10 days in Kyoto and it seemed like every day there was something else I just had to have. Glad you had a good time. How long is the flight from South Africa? And don't let not buying the Katanakake bother you....its incentive to go back! Regards, Val Giardina Quote
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