Month: September 2012

On September 23, Myoga-sensei visited our place in Noda to conduct our monthly ‘Touken Kouza’.

Five different, and very beautiful ‘Meitou’-blades, from different periods, and with different characteristics were displayed, after which the lesson began with all the attendees in a good mood.

Myoga-sensei spoke, among other things, of the different aspects of ‘nie’, often taking a student’s question and with the help of a white board giving a general, but clear explanation. Then, in a ‘person to person’ type lesson making sure the answer was more elaborate and informative he explained the finer points.
This was very appreciated by the people that attended, and a clear sign of the passion that students and teachers share.

A small but fun contest was also held, after which the group sat down for a bite to eat.

It was a very nice evening with a lot of smiles and many great learning experiences, which furthered everyone’s understanding and enthusiasm for the study of the Japanese sword.

Sometimes an item comes your way that stuns you.
A short while back such an item found its way into our shop. It was a Tsuba with a theme taken from the Japanese fable of ‘Tsuchi-gumo'(a spider demon), and the story about ‘Minamoto Raikō’ whose life the demon made miserable.

Not even Minamoto’s loyal retainers were able to dispose of the demon, and at the end it was ‘Hizamaru’, Minamoto’s own Tachi that came to life and got rid of the terrible Tsuchi-gumo demon.
The Tsuba itself depicts some of Raikō’s retainers, fast asleep, after the demon had cast a spell on them, on one side. On the other side, the Hizamaru is depicted.

When I first bought this Tsuba, I was fascinated by how well the previous owner told the story, as well as the craftsmanship of the Tsuba-maker. In combination, these two skills complimated each other very well, and are, at least to me, something that I think should be larger part of the artistic side of our business.

For any sword trader, to neglect this part of our history and our story telling traditions, seems to me a big waste, as this type of knowledge, adds to the value and uniquness of most Tsuba, and helps in keeping items and our culture interesting and living.

For a long time, I failed at making the fable interesting myself, as I was unable to tell the story as well as the person from whom I bought the Tsuba to begin with.
The Tsuba itself would be easy to sell, it having been sugested as a possible candidates for the ‘Jūyō-tōsōgu’ rank. But, this to me, didn’t seem fair to the Tsuba nor to the man who made it. However, I was finally able to find the item a good home, with a buyer and enthusiast that truly understood how unique the Tsuba this is.
In a way, it felt similar to seeing a son or daughter marry a good spouse and start a new and exciting chapter.

The English advertisement I was asked to make by the management of the All Japan Sword Traders Association is almost ready.
It is nice to be trusted by them with a task like this, and I think it will look nice once it appears in the Daily Yomiuri.

I look forward to the event itself, and to sharing my passion for Nihonto and Japanese culture, with both foreigners and Japanese visitors alike.
In many ways, the event itself feels as much as a celebration or a festival, as a forum for business, which makes it seem a little special.

It will be fun!