ecovolo
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Review Points: 95
"Ich bin ein Landsknecht."
Posts: 625
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Post by ecovolo on Apr 15, 2009 5:44:09 GMT
The Cherry Blossom Festival is happening over in Japantown in San Francisco, CA. Naturally, I went straight for the antique Japanese weaponry :-).
I managed to talk to a guy who had an antique katana from around the Mongol invasions, so about mid-to-late 13th century AD. For a piece of steel that's about 700 + years old, it was in *great* condition. It was remounted (no original fittings), and the blade itself was in good shape.
Right off the bat I'd say the blade was about as wide as a modern cutting competition katana, about an inch-and-a-quarter. If there was a hamon, it was nonexistent --couldn't see it-- and the sori was about an inch. The blade style was shobu-zukuri, no bo-hi.
I was told that the reconstructed fittings were an approximation of the historical fittings of that time, so the tsuka was wood and the tsuka-ito rattan, all laminated. I'll admit I didn't get a good look at the saya; I was trying not to drool on the blade :-). There were some nicks and dents, but nothing that detracted from the blade itself-- definite signs of active use :-).
They had all sorts of other weapons as well, and I intend to go back there this coming weekend (it runs for two weekends: April 11-12 and 18-19). I'll see if I can grill the guys there for more information :-).
--Edward
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2009 5:48:06 GMT
We demand PICS!
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ecovolo
Member
Review Points: 95
"Ich bin ein Landsknecht."
Posts: 625
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Post by ecovolo on Apr 15, 2009 5:51:49 GMT
Roger that. I'll ask them if it's okay to take pictures. If it's okay, I'll deliver . --Edward
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2009 14:20:06 GMT
My hero!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2009 15:22:44 GMT
Mine too, hope they let him.
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Post by Reisz on Apr 15, 2009 15:59:49 GMT
Jackpot! Thanks for pointing this out Eco!
I am most certainly going to be checking that out this weekend,
speaking of San Francisco I am hanging out for the "Lords of the Samurai" exhibition at the Asian ARt museum in June, I swear I am going to spend 3 days there, Haha, Might need to buy a new sketchpad for that one.
Thanks again Eco, +1 for the inadvertant heads up.
-Reisz
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2009 22:21:54 GMT
I wish there was something cool like that in Dayton Ohio.
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Post by shadowhowler on Apr 15, 2009 22:26:48 GMT
I wish there was something cool like that in Dayton Ohio. Keep dreaming my friend... only thing cool in Dayton Ohio, sadly, is you.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2009 22:28:52 GMT
You're too kind Sean. I see you made the short list, good for you. ;D
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2009 0:46:58 GMT
I wish there was something cool like that in Dayton Ohio. Keep dreaming my friend... only thing cool in Dayton Ohio, sadly, is you. Should i D'awwww now? anyways, pictures are demanded, not "if they let you shoot some..." You WILL shoot pictures. Worry about the rest later ;D
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Post by sparky on Apr 17, 2009 22:50:13 GMT
I wish there was something cool like that in Dayton Ohio. I LOVE the air museum at Wright Patterson Air Force base. I know I know, no swords but still cool Good luck on the pictures ecovolo, looking forward to seeing them. edit: cause I can't seem to get any ones name correct lately
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2009 4:52:55 GMT
I would like to see side by side pictures comparing katanas from prior to the Mongol invasion and after.
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ecovolo
Member
Review Points: 95
"Ich bin ein Landsknecht."
Posts: 625
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Post by ecovolo on Apr 19, 2009 0:28:08 GMT
Update: Well, I went back to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Japantown today . . . The antique sword display was gone . However, the previous weekend, I did manage to get some contact info for the group in question: www.ncjsc.orgLooks like they'll be having a show in August that I'll need to attend in order to follow up on this weapon . --Edward
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