Oct. 14th I hosted a small basic lecture on Japanese swords at the shop in Noda for some friends and sword enthusiasts from abroad.
There were two things I wanted to convey that were especially important to me.
The first, that Japanese swords are not only weapons, but also are said to inhabit a soul, and therefore should be treated with respect when handled by anyone.
Secondly, that swords from different time periods have different shapes and features, and can therefore give us a hint as to by whom and where they were made, as well as when.
At the moment, I need an interpreter to help me with events like this. But it is my hope that I will, one day, be able to convey my thoughts and the facts about Japanese swords and thus help spread the knowledge and appreciation for this part of my culture to people that are from places other than Japan.
Later at night, I asked my friends to join me for dinner at a local Sushi restaurant. It was a pleasure to see foreigners delight over Japanese food and drink, as well as hearing their thoughts and stories mixed with our laughter.
I feel a new form of connection to my foreign friends as well as gratitude for their friendship and enthusiasm.