- Common Topics
- Subjects for study
- Notable restoration work
- Topics Covered by the Education Center
- Topics commonly discussed during the weekly
and monthly meetings of the SFNS
Our Sensei is a true teacher,
as he can answer questions based
on these topics, involving the details
of how, when, where, and why.
Each post on this page will discuss 1 topic.
The title of our posts ( 91 ) as the following:
Post 1: Tokyo
Post 2: Japanese Government & 3 important swords
Post 3: Japanese sword books
Post 4: Minoden swords
Post 5: Registration system
Post 6: Australian sword book
Post 7: Dai-sho
Post 8: False items
Post 9: Students & Teachers
Post 10: Kanteisho
Post 11: Homonyms of Japanese language
Post 12: Fake swords and sword certificate
Post 13: Special Kenma ( Polishing )
Post 14: Ha-gire
Post 15: Wakizashi with Ha-gire
Post 16: Mado-ake Kenma ( Polishing )
Post 17: Tameshi-giri sword's Kenma ( Polishing )
Post 18: Recent appraisal
Post 19: Mei ( Inscription ) reading
Post 20: E-Bay Auction site
Post 21: Failed E-Bay purchases
Post 22: Sword Dealers in the San Francisco Bay Area
Post 23: The US Martial Art Magazines
Post 24: SFNS activities
Post 25: Keith Austin /Master Nobuhira
Post 26: Shira-Saya
Post 27: Saya-shi ( Saya & Tsuka maker )
Post 28: Do-Shirouto ( Pure Amateur )
Post 29: Nagasa ( Length )
Post 30: Nanbokucho Era ( 1334 - 1389 ) blade
Post 31: Kuji-kiri
Post 32: Chuumon-uchi
Post 33: The Kizu ( Flaws and blemishes sword )
Post 34: The Japanese students in Japan
Post 35: Yakiba
Post 36: Nihonshi ( Japanese history )
Post 37: Polishing stones
Post 38: The shady sword dealers
Post 39: The Ouden, Kuden & Hiden
Post 40: The recently polished Yari
Post 41: The Gendaito made in the Hizen area
Post 42: The Gendaito made in the 1930's or 1940's
Post 43: Tsuka-maki ( Cord wrapping )
Post 44: The recently polished Naginata
Post 45: The 4-day Pomona gun show
Post 46: The Gunto and our Sensei's Manshuto
Post 47: The recently polished Naginata
Post 48: The recently polished Naginata
Post 49: The recently polished Tanto
Post 50: The Tanto signed by Iwa mi no kuni Ju Kunisuke
Post 51: The recently polished 24-inch Oomi no Yari ( Large spear )
Post 52: Dou-Mei & Dou-Saku
Post 53: James San's recent purchase
Post 54: Amazing Manshuto
Post 55: Sabi-zuke
Post 56: Steve San's Manshuto
Post 57: The unusual Manshuto
Post 58: The true value of Manshuto
Post 59: Restoration time schedule
Post 60: An unique Menuki
Post 61: A Kikuchi Clan's Yari tip ( Altered Tanto )
Post 62: Foundation polish for the Kikuchi Clan's Yari tip
Post 63: A custom-made Habaki-gane for the Kikuchi Clan's Yari tip
Post 64: The 3 basic restoration work for the Kikuchi Clan's Yari tip
Post 65: The Hounouto Kiri-saki Kenma ( Polish )
Post 66: The Kasane
Post 67: The Horimono & Hi ( -bi )
Post 68: Junishi
Post 69: Tsuka-maki ( Cord wrapping )
Post 70: A giant Tanegashima-ju owned by our Sensei
Post 71: Our Sensei's Kikuchi Clan's Yari tip ( Tanto )
Post 72: Our Sensei & the official Kantei sheet
Post 73: New subjects during the monthly sword study meeting
Post 74: The unscrupulous sword polisher in the Midwest
Post 75: The visitors of our Web site
Post 76: The Sensou-Hanayome
Post 77: Our Sensei's wealthy Papa San
Post 78: Nakasone Kotetsu
Post 79: The 3 basic texture
Post 80: The 2-day Cow Palace gun show
Post 81: Daniel San & his fellow Federal Police officer
Post 82: Kachi-mushi
Post 83: Ainu-Tsuba
Post 84: Mondou-Muyou
Post 85: The Gassaku Tanto
Post 86: How our Sensei obtained the Giant Tanegashima-ju
Post 87: The 2 skills were demonstrated during the monthly Kenma class
Post 88: Kamon
Post 89: The Kenma
Post 90: Samurai sword incident in Baltimore
Post 91: Samurai sword death justified in Baltimore
Post 92: Han-han ( 1/2 & 1/2 )
Post 93: Ichi-ban
Post 94: Shirana Sugiru
Post 95: Black & white
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posted Mar 20, 2010 10:02 AM by Website Administrator of SFNS
The Japanese people use the color to describe
the Nipponto ( Japanese swords ), person, person, people, objects,
items, etc. since the ancient times. They often judge people by the
literal color in Japan. The most color used by the Japanese people is black
& white.
Some examples are the following:
1. Kuro-gane no bi = Black iron beauty / The Nipponto were made by the black iron and they are beautiful.
2. Shiro-gane no bi = The beauty of white iron / The Nipponto were made by the white iron and they are beautiful.
3. Ao-jiroi Katana = Swords having the bluish white color / The well made swords have this color.
4. Aoi hikari no Nipponto = Japanese swords
having the blue color / The Japanese swords so well made, the blue ray
is coming out.
5. Kare wa Keppaku da = He is clean since having the pure white color.
6. Hara-guroi = Stomach is black / The person with wrong intention & doing.
7. Kuroi Kiri = Black fog / Plotting with wrong doing.
8. Kiiroi Koe = Yellow voice / Kids having the high voice.
9. Kuroi yogore = blackish dirt
10. Shiroi hokori = white dust
11. Kuro Sabi = Black rust / Protecting the Nipponto surface.
12. Aka Sabi = Red rust / The worst kind of rust among others.
13. Masshiro = Pure white or solid white
13. Makkuro = Jet black
14. Byakuya = White night / Scandinavian night time
15. Kura-yami = Pitch black night
Our Sensei can tell you much more color story
during the weekly and monthly sword study meetings at our Dojo (
Martial Art School ) in San Francisco. |
posted Mar 20, 2010 9:57 AM by Website Administrator of SFNS
The word Shirana-sugiru is translated as
incompetent condition. The direct translation is not knowing many
things or excessively you do not know things. In other words, this word
is used for describing the Do-Shirouto ( Pure amateur ) is trying to
pretend to be an expert in any professional field in the Japanese
language. Of course, this condition is caused by the lack of study,
having an incompetent teacher, lack of study materials,
not having the common sense, having bad judgment, too much
speculation, etc.
In the study of Nipponto, the following subjects are very important:
1. The 4 superior Nipponto & 4 characteristics
2. The Gokaden ( The 5 traditional swordsmithing schools )
3. The 3 titles given to the superior Nipponto by the Japanese Government
4. The Kantei-ho ( Appraisal method ) and the Kantei-sho ( Sword certificate of authenticity )
5. Five different shapes of Tachi ( Swords with deeper curvature ) judging from the Taihai, Sori and Funbari
and much much more !!
The 4 superior swords have the 4 characteristics appearances:
1. Hamon
2. Jimon
3. Hataraki
4. Utsuri
The 4 superior swords:
1. Koto
2. Shinto
3. Shin-shinto
4. Gendaito
The above mentioned characteristics are the
basic understanding of the Nipponto ( Japanese swords ). When we study
something respectful and meaningful, we have to put a lot of effort
to make the study subjects useful. Having the good teachers and the
sword friends ( Rivals ) are also important essence to make our
Nipponto study better.
Our Sensei's questions are:
1. Do you comprehend the Japanese swords ?
2. Do you understand the Japanese sword language ?
3. Have you found the person who can perform the Kantei for your sword ?
Our Sensei has the capability of teaching 5 levels of Nipponto study goers:
1. Shoshin-sha ( Novice or beginners )
2. Chuukyu-sha ( Intermiate or advanced )
3. Joukyu-sha ( High level )
4. Mekiki ( Expert )
5. Shidousha ( Teacher )
Our Sensei has many students and disciples both
in Japan and in the US. he gives the lecture and demonstration both in
Japan and in the US. He knows the Ouseen-, Hiden & Kuden, which are
the secret skills only a few craftment know in Japan, the land of true
Samurai and Nipponto. |
posted Mar 1, 2010 2:01 PM by Website Administrator of SFNS
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updated Mar 16, 2010 5:08 PM
]
The word Ichi-ban means #1 in the Japanese language. Our Sensei went to #1 Karate Dojo in Japan to study Karate. Also, he went to #1 Ken-jitsu instructor in Japan to study Ken-jitsu. He went to #1 sword appraiser in Japan ( in the world ) to study the Nipponto in Tokyo, Japan.
When you learn something very meaningful and serious, you do not want to study under the student instructor or assistant instructor. Instead, we should go to the Grandmaster of the Martial art system or #1 authority in any professional field. Having the best or #1 instructor as your teacher is the previledge and we will learn things faster and sufficient.
Our Sensei met a lot of #1 Japanese sword-related craftmen in Japan while his apprenticeship in the mid and late 1990's. They all gave him their gift, which are the Ouden, Hiden & Kuden. Previously we have posted these subjects in the " Did you know " Column # 39.
The translation of above mentioned 3 words are the following:
1. Ouden / Deep inside tradition ( Shared with the selected disciple )
2. Kuden / Orally submitted tradition ( Never written in any documentation )
3. Hiden / Secret tradition ( Never reveal to anyone but his disciple who is trustworthy )
Recently, our Sensei was given another Hiden ( Secret traditional ) skill by one of the master Kenma-shi ( Polishers ) from Tokyo, Japan. Less than 10 master polishers in Japan ( in the world ) know this special skill. This special polishing skill was revealed during the next monthly Kenma class at our Dojo in San Francisco on Sunday, March 7th, 2010.
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posted Feb 27, 2010 3:14 PM by Website Administrator of SFNS
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updated Feb 27, 2010 7:40 PM
]
The word Han means half or 1/2 in the Japanese language. Therefore, the word Han-han means half and half.
Our Sensei has a strange looking sword in his collection. It is a Uchi-gatana with the Omote side as the Hira-zukuri and the Ura side as Shinogi-zukuri. He bought it from a Japanese sword dealer from the La Jolla area ( Near San Diego, California ) in 1993 during the 2-day Cow Palace gun show held in Daly City, California.
When he located this Uchi-gatana, he thought that one side of this Katana was grinded-down by an absurd person or an U.S. Do-Shirouto ( Pure amateur ) once again in a garage. However, when he examined the Habaki-gane closely, he discovered that it was constructed according to the shape of this Katana. He then immediately purchased this blade for $600. It was a clean and decent shape blade, but of course it was in need of polishing. 80% of the Nipponto in the US are in need of polishing.
There are 2 possible Katana-kaji Group produced this strange looking short Katana judging from the Taihai & Nakago-jiri shape:
1. Kaifu Group Katana-kaji during the Eishou Era ( 1404-1421 ) or Eiroku Era ( 1558 - 1570 )
2. Sue-Bizen Osafune Katana-kaji ( Namely 2 kaji: Sukesda or Katsumitsu ) in the 1560's or 1570's.
According to our Sensei, very strange-looking swords were also produced by the Kyushu area swordsmiths during the Sue-Koto Era. He has an axe-shaped Naginata & 3 Fukuro Yari ( Socket type spears ) produced by the Kyushu Katana-kaji in his collection.
The other Han- or -han related words:
1. Han-dachi Koshirae
2. Han-gitae Gatana
3. Han-tanto
4. Hangetsu
5. Hantou
6. hanshi
We have taken some photos of this Han-hanto for your inspection.
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posted Feb 17, 2010 10:31 AM by Website Administrator of SFNS
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updated Feb 17, 2010 6:35 PM
]
The Office of the State's Attorney for Baltimore City wrote a letter to Major Terrence McLaney regarding the Homicide of Donald Rice on January 28th, 2010. The letter was concluded as " no charges will be forthcoming against John Pontolillo and the homicide is ruled justified ".
The letter addressed by Patricia Jessamay ( A state's attorney ) consisted of a few paragraphs. A few sentences were different from the known facts. The last sentence of that paragraph was really different from the previously known facts.
"A single blow resulted in Mr. Rice's death."
Then, the letter continued with 2 more paragraphs.
"A review of the evidence, including the autopsy report received on January 19th, 2010, witness statements obtained by the Baltimore Police Department, and witness interviews conducted by this office, supports the finding that John Pontolillo reasonably believed he was in danger of imminent death or serious bodily injury and was justified in striking Donald Rice.
Accordingly, no charges will be forthcoming against John Pontolillo and the homicide is ruled justified."
The letter was concluded with the signature of States Attorney for Baltimore City.
Note: If you want to find out about this Samurai sword incident in Baltimore, you can use the Google search. Type " Samurai sword slaying justified " or " Samurai sword killing justified " " Samurai sword death justified " or something similar, then you should have a lot of information available. There were over a few hundred posts made by the general public, from various sources since the relaese of the letter written by the State's Attorney Office on January 28th, 2010.
Our Sensei became peculiar after reading one of many known facts as the following:
* The burglar suffering from a nearly severed hand and lacerations to his upper body.
We are sure that " The single blow " cut his left hand and his upper body, however, why the deceased had lacerations to his upper body is odd. A person armed with a Samurai sword must have swung his sword and cut the deceased body more than 2 times to make lacerations.
Our Sensei would like to hear the deceased person's statement of events. Of course, this is impossible !!
In a certain degree, this incident report and letter were unfairly concluded, with respect to the deceased person.
Hopefully, John Pontolillo graduates from the Johns Hopkins University and become a fine medical doctor and saves many sick lives in the future. Most likely, he will change his name when he opens his medical practice in the future.
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posted Feb 13, 2010 6:58 PM by Website Administrator of SFNS
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updated Feb 17, 2010 9:54 PM
]
It has been about half a year since the Samurai sword incident occurred in the East Coast.
One of our Sensei's Japanese friends owns the Martial Art Supply Company 10 blocks away from where the incident occurred. He was asked to give his opinion about the incident by the TV reporters, but he declined the interview since he wanted to protect his business. He actually sells some replica Japanese swords, which is very similar to the one used for killing an intruder.
Whether or not this was a self-defense act, a human being was killed by the sword. We assume the sword used for killing an intruder was an inferior quality Chinese sword according to our Sensei's Japanese friend, whos live in the Baltimore area.
We have some brief information about our Sensei's opinion. Our Sensei finally expressd his opinion about the incident. If the true Japanese sword was used against the intruder, he will be cut in a different way. Our Sensei said this cut was done by an amateur cutter, since Sensei practices the Tameshi-giri ( Test cutting ) and Ken-jitsu ( Sword fighting skills ) at his Dojo in San Francisco. If you want to find out the true opinion of his, you can join the SFNS and talk with our Sensei directly.
Our Sensei has a few questions:
1. Whether or not an University student felt his life was in danger. It was in the dark and he could not see the intruder.
2. Whether or not he became the aggressor. Since he was robbed a few hours before, was he angry ?
3. How many times did he swing the sword ?
4. Was this intruder the same person who broken in his house a few hours earlier ?
5. Did this intruder have a weapon in his hand ?
The known facts:
* A Johns Hopkins University student, John Pontolillo, a junior chemistry major who turned 21 on Sunday used the sword against the intruder.
* Sunday, September 13th, 2009
* The intruder, Donald D. Rice of Baltimore, died at the bloody scene.
* The burglar suffering from a nearly severed hand and lacerations to his upper body
* According to court records, he was charged in 2007 after he pulled a gun on a police officer, though prosecutors placed those charges on hold because the officer was on military leave.
* Pontolillo, who rents the house in the 300 block of E. University Parkway in the Oakenshawe neighborhood, struck the intruder no more than twice, nearly severing his left hand and inflicting what police termed a "spear laceration."
* Pontolillo, of Wall, N.J., whose identity was confirmed by law enforcement sources, was released late Tuesday afternoon. Guglielmi said it would be up to the state's attorney's office to determine whether he will be charged in the incident.
* Tuesday, September 15th, 2009
* Baltimore Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi
* On Monday, two laptops and a Sony PlayStation were stolen from the student's home, which he shares with three other students, but police were not sure whether Donald D. Rice was responsible, Guglielmi said.
* Monday, September 14th, 2009
*The deceased, Donald D. Rice, 49, was a habitual offender, who had 29 prior arrests, mostly for burglary and breaking and entering, and had been released Saturday from a Baltimore County jail after serving about a year for auto theft.
* Saturday, September 12th, 2009
* The private Johns Hopkins is known for its health and science research and has about 4,600 undergraduates on its main campus.
* The University's annual tuition is $50,000
* Some tension between elite University students and lower-income residents of nearby communities developed
Note: If you want to find out about more this incident, you can use the Google search. Then type " Samurai sword incident in the Baltimore " or " Samurai sword used by an University student at Johns Hopkins " or something similar, then you should have a lot of information available. There were over 500 posts made by the general public, from various sources during the month of September and October, 2010. There were 2 that placed short sentences in the Japanese language and their translation as the following: 1. I am an American who can understand the Japanese language. 2. I did not know that the Samurai existed in the US.
The comments made by people which caught our Sensei's attention:
Quote:
* He gambled too many times at the casino of life and lost it all.
* We throw a parade for this fine student who saved society from this creep...he sounds like the type of young man you would want your daughter to marry...
*It is a shame a 20 year old man had to defend himself like this, and its a shame that even somebody as sleazy as the criminal had to die. i am sure that the the young man would have rather not been put in this position, my heart goes out to him and his family-i hope he is not scarred for life by this incident. nobody wins in a situation like this.
* I'm pleased that the young student became the VICTOR rather than the VICTIM. Clearly, this career-criminal that met his demise was on the path of self-destruction. After 29 priors, one would think the prison system would not have allowed him out to commit the 30th crime. This is further proof that the system is useless and is incapable of rehabilitating anyone. It's broke, so somebody better fix it!
* To all those of you cheering the death of a human being, remember he wasn't born a thief. Take a moment to wonder what went so terribly wrong in his life that the little boy he started out as ended up like that, and be glad you didn't end up the same way. Also wonder at a justice system that helped neither him nor society after 29 previous incidents. As for the student, he now has to live with the knowledge he killed someone. No matter how deserving the deceased, no matter what the circumstances, average people do not react well to causing another's death. No lasting good comes of this event.
* When somebody is on your property stealing or trying to break in, you should be able to defend your family, property and yourself at all costs. If you can't defend your homestead without repercussion, there is nothing left.
* Let's turn this around. The burglar kills the kid after overtaking him and his sword used by the kid to defend himself. To rolive27's of the world, do you now sympathize with the victim? If so, then you must believe that a woman was created from a rib, and all of God's children should live in peace. Believe it or not, we evolved out of a pea size cell millions of years ago, on one basic principal. Survival of the fittest. The survival situation in this case is a scumbag lowlife with 29 priors vs a student defending himself from that scumbag. Scumbag falls, defender survives. I like the outcome. Further pushing the evolution process forward. Zed's dead, Zed's dead!
* Well you know what they say A good criminal is a dead criminal, good for him and screw all you people that say he shouldn't have killed him. I'd like to see you people handle the situation knowing full well you could be the one that gets killed!! So what do you do let them kill you? or do you try to save yourself. If you are a retard you might let the thief kill YOU! If I EVER find someone in my house or my car or my garage I will beat the ever living crap out of them LIGHTS OUT B***C!! I have no sword to use, I might have to go get one.
* TrueAccount - you miss my point. A man is dead, and another has to live with killing him for the rest of his life. The American justice system failed both of them.
* localboyz and HammerNJ - are you religious? If so, I invite you to go to the leader of your religious organization and tell him or her you want to kill some habitual criminals. It's easy to type some words anonymously on a website, but would you look your priest, your minister, your rabbi, your imam in the eye and say "I believe we need to kill repeat offenders, and I'll be the one to do it."
* joevotes- When I was 5 years old my dad was leaving work and was stabbed in an attempted robbery.My dad killed the guy. He feels no remorse.The simple thought of me not having a father was all he needed. He would do it again any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
End quote.
Since there was a human being killed, our Sensei gives the strong condolences to the deceased person's family.
Human beings were slaughtered by such blades during the Sengoku Era ( Japanese Civil Wartime: 1467 - 1591 ); however, this is the modern age, the 21st Century in the US.
Therefore, in this era, nobody should be killed by the sword or sword-related weapon.
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posted Feb 13, 2010 6:50 PM by Website Administrator of SFNS
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updated Feb 25, 2010 4:59 PM
]
The word Kenma means polishing. Our Sensei started to use this finer word than Togi since October, 2009 when he gives the lecture in the Japanese sword both in the US and Japan. The reason why he started to use this word is very simple. The word Kenma is much much better than the word Togi. If you can read & comprehend the Kanji of 2 words, then we do not explain this subject at all. The word Togi has 3 meanings and they are confusing. The word Kenma is the combination of 2 words, including the word Togi and its meaning is only one and not confusing at all.
The SFNS members and associates in Japan are totally agreed and following our Sensei's suggestion completely. The SFNS members and associates in the US are little confused, however, when they attend the weekly or monthly sword study meeting at our Dojo, they understand this significant change completely.
We have a question for you. How would you feel if the medical doctor using the 4-lettered words or inferior words for our body parts ? A good example is that if he uses the term umbilicus, instead of belly button. The word umbilicus is much more technically accurate than the slang term belly button. The proper terms need to be used, in order to understand the ideas in a logical manner.
There are 5 basic words for polishing or polishing-related in the Japanese language:
1. Kenma / Polishing & burnishing / The best word
2. Migaki / Burnishing
3. Togi / Polishing & 2 other meaning / Confusing / The average linguist use this word. / A Junior High school level word.
4. Kezuri / Griding
5. Sogi / shaving
If you study the Nipponto more than 15 years, you will know for sure that the 3 subjects must be studied well at least:
1. Nihon-go / Japanese language & terminology
2. Nihon-shi / Japanese history
3. Sengoku-Daimyou / Feudal warlords of the Sengoku Era of Japan.
Other subjects for us to study about Japan: Old saying, military tactics/strategy, sword construction material, Katana-kaji, Tachi-kaji, Gokaden, Ori-kaeshi-Tanren, Ken-jitsu, Tameshi-giri, habbit, custom, geography, Han ( Clans ), The battle of Sekigahara, Shimabara no Ran, Mongol invasion, Tsuba, Kodougu, etc.
We have given the brief explanation of 5 polishing-related words. If you want o find the precise meaning & explanation of these 5 words, you should join the SFNS and talk with our Sensei directly.
To become an official member of the SFNS,
make a check ( Amount of $175 / Annual membership fee )
payable to SFNS and send it to PO Box 12235, San Francisco, CA 94112
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posted Feb 9, 2010 5:45 PM by Website Administrator of SFNS
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updated Feb 20, 2010 10:36 AM
]
The word Kamon means family crest or emblem. There were over 300,000 Kamon created in Japan since the late 12th Century until now.
The very first people used the Kamon were the Kuge ( Emperor's retinue ) during the late Heian Era ( 782 -1182 ). Their Kamon designs were pasted on the side of the the Gissha ( The wagon pulled by the ox ) as their identification symbols. They were technically called Shamon ( Vehicle emblem ). Their Shamon were very peaceful designs, such as the flower, water, trees, stars, mountians, etc.
During the beginning of Genpei-Gassen ( Battles between the Genji & Heike ), the Genji ( Minamoto Clan ) used the white flags and Heike ( Taira Clan ) used the red flags for their identification in the battlefields. The Genpei-Gassen ( 1181 - 1185 ) is also known as the Jishou no Ran ( Incident during the Jishou Era: 1177 -1181 ). Towards the end of the Genpei-Gassen, many other Samurai clansmen joined one of the 2 troops and so many Kamon were created and used during the early Kamakura Era ( 1183 - 1333 ). The Heike Clan & their clansmen were abolished after the sea battle at the Dan-no Ura in 1185.
During the Nanbokucho Era ( 1334 - 1389 ), the Samurai clansmen created many Kamon. 99% of the Samurai families had their Kamon during the Muromachi Era ( 1390 - 1573 ).
During the Azuchi-Momoyama Era ( 1573 - 1623 ), some merchants around the Sakai area ( Nowadays Osaka area ) created the Kamon and used them for thier business.
During the Edo Era ( 1624 - 1867 ), many merchants and townsmen ( craftmen ) created their Kamon for their businesses. Very few farmers used their Kamon during the mid Edo Era.
Other Kamon used during the Edo Era:
1. Shrine Kamon
2. Temple Kamon
3. Kabuki actor's Kamon
4. Sumo wresler's Kamon
Many Kamon are used for Yoroi, Kabuto, Tachi Saya, Tsuba and Kodougu. There are over 300 Kamon and Kamon-related books written in the Japanese language.
More information on Kamon will become exclusively yours when you join the SFNS.
To become an official member of the SFNS,
make a check ( Amount of $175, annual membership fee )
payable to SFNS and send it to PO Box 12235, San Francisco, CA 94112
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posted Feb 7, 2010 7:18 PM by Website Administrator of SFNS
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updated Feb 7, 2010 8:05 PM
]
During the monthly Kenma ( Polishing ) class on Sunday, February 7th, 2010, our Sensei demonstrated the 2 Kenma skills at our Dojo ( Martial Art School ) in San Francisco:
1. Kiri-saki repair and Boushi Kenma skill
2. Mine Kenma skill
The Kiri-saki repair and Boushi Kenma skills were demonstrated in the morning from 10:00 to11:45 AM. All the necessary polishing stones were shown without any hesitation. The Koto Mino-den Wakizashi's Kiri-saki was repaired and polished accordingly. Some secret skills were demonstrated. One of the SFNS students specifically asked about the Urauchi Jido finger stones. Our Sensei clearly explained how to fabricate the special finger stones with rice paper & Ki-Urushi.
The Mine Kenma skill was demonstrated in the afternoon from 1:30 to 3:30 PM. The special polishing stones & devices were used for this Mine Kenma procedure. Also, our Sensei showed the newly constructed wooden devices and how to use them accordingly. Some secret skills were revealed.
During the next monthly Kenma class, our Sensei will be demonstrating how to perform the Hada-okoshi ( Heightening of the texture or grain ) polishing skills and Mado-ake ( Partial polish ) skills in March, 2010. The date of the Kenma class in March, 2010 has not been scheduled yet at this moment.
Our Sensei's message for you:
The Japanese sword restoration skills can be performed during your leisure time. Especially, the retired martial artist can make some extra income besides teaching martial art inside his or her martial art Dojo. The Japanese swords are very unique in the various ways. Having over 1,200 years of Nipponto construction skills, we must respect the Japanese swords as the weapons and artifacts. Japan is the only country in the world that chose the Japanese swords to be their National Treasures. The Nipponto must be preserved properly for the next generation.
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posted Feb 7, 2010 11:31 AM by Website Administrator of SFNS
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updated Mar 10, 2010 2:54 PM
]
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After he came back from the Italy in the fall of 1989, he started to write a letter to various Japanese restaurant owners in the Great San Francisco Bay Area. The one-page letter was sent to over 100 Japanese restaurant owners to notify them of the SFNS existence, an introduction of our Sensei, his business activities both in the US and Japan, and etc.
Also, he offered the Edo Era Buke-zukuri Koshirae to the Japanese restaurant owners as decoration for their Japanese restaurant walls. Many restaurant owners bought some Edo Era Buke-zukuri Koshirae from our Sensei, since there were no blades inside the Saya portion. Therefore, they are effective for display purposes. Some custom-ordered Han-dachi Koshirae were constructed with the Tsunagi blades inside and then they were sold.
Among the Japanese restaurant owners, Mr. Sakata at the Cho-cho restaurant called our Sensei and offered him a giant musket gun. He knew that our Sensei was not going to resell his giant musket gun for profit. When our Sensei spoke with him on the phone, Sakata-San said that he would like to meet with him immediately. Our Sensei went to the Cho-cho restaurant, located on Kearney Street by Broadway Street in the San Francisco Downtown area.
Our Sensei brought $10,000 cash with him to be able to purchase the giant musket gun from Sakata-San. In the late 1980's, the average Japanese antique musket guns were sold anywhere from $1,200 to $1,600. However, they were the ordinary thickness ( The Caliber of the barrel was 50 more or less ) musket guns. The Zen-cho ( Entire length ) was, on average, 5 feet long more or less. Our Sensei thought that the giant musket gun, which was owned by Mr. Sakata was a long musket gun about 7 or 8 feet, since he has seen the long European musket guns during his recent trip to Italy & the UK.
Sakata-San and our Sensei spoke a little over one hour in the Japanese language. The business deal was coming to the final ending time. When our Sensei asked him that how much would he sell his giant Tanegashima musket gun to him, he raised his index finger and middle finger like the V sign. Our Sensei thought that he meant the price was $20,000. He was going to give him $10,000 immediately and the remaining balance of $10,000 paid as the monthly installment for 2 or 3 months. Our Sensei asked Sakata-San to write an exact amount on the piece of paper, so he started to write the numbers. First, he wrote the number 2 and followed by the 3 zeros and the 4th zero was not written. Our Sensei paid him $2,000 immediately and rushed home in his company's Van.
When he came home, his wife asked him what he bought and, of course, how much was the fee. He told her the exact amount without knocking off one zero. As you know probably by now, many husbands report the amount of their actual spending of Nipponto or Nipponto-related items to their wives with one zero knocking off.
At this day, this giant Tanegashima musket gun was not sold to anyone for profit. Our Sensei is displaying this biggest musket gun in the US at the local gun shows & antiques shows bi-monthly, including the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in San Francisco Japantown in April and annual San Jose Japantown Fall Festival in October.
Note: The Oo-zutsu ( Giant barrel ) Tanegashima weighs 40.2 pounds and the caliber of the barrel is 120. There are 3 Mei in the barrel. The maker of wood portion is read as Okada Kihachirou. There is the Katabami design Kamon on top of the barrel. The Karuka is intact.
We have taken some photos for your inspection. As always, we encourage you to take some detailed photos of your precious Nipponto or Nipponto-related items in your possession just in case of theft.
To obtain a little more information on Tanegashima musket gun:
1. Click " San Francisco Sword Education Center "
2. Go to the bottom of the page
3. Find the Tanegashima, Japanese Musket Gun, which is one of the 9 subpages
4. Then click he Japanese Musket Gun ( The 2nd one from the last title )
Many photos avaialble for your inspection !! ( 24 photos all together posted ! )
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