* 武士が最後に自分の命を託す武器、と言う事から日本刀剣は古来より「侍の魂」として特別な想いを持って大切にされて来ました。 一千有余年の歴史を有する日本刀の歴史の中で幾度かの困難な時ののち、 日本刀はその武器としての性格を休止し、現在ではその美術性の高さから世界中で高く評価される「世界の文化遺産、美術品」として高い位置を保っています。 しかしながら、日本刀を「美術品」と考えたとしても、依然、危険な武器でありまり、取り扱いには細心の注意が必要です。　また、古いものは、過去数百年のもあいだ何人もの所有者が、代々同じ方法で大切に保存してきた物であり、 私達日本人には美術品以上の「魂」が篭っている神聖な品物でもあります。「日本刀」を所有すると言う事は、ただ単に「美術品」を募集することとは少し異なり、「武士の魂」を預かり、 その真髄を学び、自己の精神の向上を計ることに他なりません。

* 刀を通してオランダ、欧州と日本の歴史を互いの国民が共存し、 親交をはかることは、 互いの文化を理解する良い機会になると思います。 刀剣類の美術品としての売買、保存、手入れ等の知識はもちろん、 日本独特の文化「大和魂」「わび」「さび」の心をも共有して行きたいと考えています。

* インターネットを通じて世界中の愛刀家の輪を広げる有意義な倶楽部にする為、皆様からのご意見をお待ちしています。

* To own different histories jointly and to form a friendship through swords would be a good opportunity for Japanese and European people to understand their own culture each other. We aim not only to give you the knowledge of sale, preservation and care, but also to explain about typical Japanese culture called "Yamato-tamashii", "Wabi", and "Sabi", in order to own this together with you.

* We are looking forward your opinion to make this club significant, expanding the link of sword lovers in the world through inter-net

*What is a good "Shira-saya"
A "Good Shira-saya" should not give damage to the sword inside it, naturally. It is a matter of course that they meet this basic condition.
Further, nowadays they are mentioning about rather extravagant condition,
for instance, good balance of shape of "Saya " or beauty with a standing "Tora-fu" on "Hoho-no-ki(Magnolia hypoleuca)". "Ireko-zaya" is one of the good "Shira-saya".
In case "Ha-atari(touched by a blade)" occurs, we can adjust it by drawing out the "Ireko" and keep inside clean. From this reason,
when we want to preserve our swords with special care, we use this "Saya".

*How about wrong one?
That's right. If the newly ordered "Shira-saya" touched by the sword's blade inside of it,
the "Saya" might be said that it is made by not a real "Saya-shi" but a temporary Saya-shi.
I myself don't have such an experience, but these days it happens more often than before that we meet a "saya", which can be seen at a glance inferior.
There are some "Saya-shi" of sorts who make it without certain knowledge or skill, just following other's example.
The condition of a good "Shira-saya" is not to be touched by the blade,
not to change 20-30 years at least and further to have beautiful shape which was made keeping the rule.
In addition to it, it should be made of so firm "Hoho" that well fit to one's hands.
Putting in a single word,"a good job is done with a good material" is the first condition of all.
It is impossible to make good thing with "Hoho" of "Shirata", which is used to make :"Geta (Japanese traditional sandals)".

*"KAGIYA-NO TSUJI"
When it comes to the story about a broken sword of Araki Matauemon, a person who studied about swords and learned 'Ken-gi (fencing)" cannot help feeling miserable.
Not to bend and not to break are the minimum requirements of "Nihon-to".
This story raise a question whether it is possible for one, who fences, to have no ability choosing the right sword.
In other words, it is doubtful if Araki was initiated into the mysteries of the art of fencing.
However, it is said that the story about broken "Kanemichi" is truth, and is mentioned in various cases, including the "True record of Kagiya-no- tsuji".
In this record, it says that Araki parried the blow with the "side of his sword". After all, it means that his skill was not perfect.

*Dreams come true
The dream sword I had been strongly longed for as an unrequited love, which had never changed last 20 years long, is coming to me as like a bride.
It was realized by goodwill of former owner.
To tell the truth, I had asked the owner to sell it to me through a certain person, but every time I asked, he had denied firmly.
10 years ago, when it happened again I said, " If you say so, there is no help for it. However could you please make me have it in my life time?"
It was my sincere request. Recently I faced a danger of losing my life and saved by calling an ambulance.
The owner heard this and made his mind to hand it over to me. What wonderful the life is! How strange it is!
I will have a wedding party in my house. There I will ask you to guess the "Mei".
Before the World War II, it was owned by a famous sword lover, and was known by only a limited number of manias. We see with a single glance
that it is preserved very carefully. It is a great character of the swords.
I want the young people to remember it, too.

*About "talkativeness" and "silence"
Nowadays, all martial artists became talkative and more like entertainers.
Only a half of a century ago, martial artists kept silence.
For instance, teachers of each middle schools of the former system, taught everything to his pupils with his appearance, shape and move of body almost without a word.
A person who I remember with most strong impression among teachers in my middle school days, is the martial artist in "silence" like that.
Kyoto martial school was the school, from which many martial artists graduated.
Being an aged man called "fossil", it is difficult to communicate with younger people.
So I would further describe for understanding.
In the past middle school had several teachers who had a doctorate.
Being among them, such a teacher of martial was equal to the doctors with their personality and appearance.
Mr. Kinugasa with "Rokudan(6th grade)", who taught me even "Iai-jutsu", led me to start learn martial.
However I have no memory that he taught treatment and appreciation with his words.
Contrary, I remember his face and appearance clearly most of all. A teacher who has a strange intensity.
He is the martial artist. I don't deny all of the "talkativeness".
I deny the talkativeness of a person who claims that he is right and Mr. So and so is wrong, holding up an "justice" in the way of "Asaka-no mura".

* The manner as a sword owner, The manner as a craft man.
Please handle your sword as a sword owner. Never behave like a polisher or a dealer.
like The polisher handle and care the sword for its owner.
It means he lives on the sword, which belongs to his client.
Once he gives a damage to it, he will never be forgiven, even he is willing to pay back for it more than enough.
In comparison to it, owner stands on a little different position.
He also is a temporary handler of sword, because it belongs to the cultural history.
However he can manage to settle the trouble by buying it, when he give a scratch to the sword.
It is the another case.
So the sword owners should maintain a owner's position and handle their swords composedly with pride of a "Samurai".
Please have such a spirit.
First of all, you have to decide your attitude, depending on who do you think yourself.
Appreciation of the polisher, especially it of a polisher is a little different.
Because they examine the sword very carefully, when the owner hand it to them for polishing, to avoid the trouble that might be happen.
And find out if there are some mark of tinkering. For example if the "Nioi-gire" at "boshi" is repaired or not.
In order to fully examine, holding it in not normal way in purpose when he see the edge of the sword, he gives a pressure to the suspicious point.
It is natural for him to have such a technique of business.
For the first place, experienced polishers hold swords low near by their knees, and examine Jitetsu and hamon, looking down it.
It is different from amateurs who lift up highly. Can I call it the way of professional?
Sometimes I see a person who pretends like a professional. It has no sense.
It is necessary for us amateurs to appreciate a sword more generously and in a grand manner, trying to find good points of it.
At the same time, we must have a consciousness that we take our responsibility financially as well, in case we give a damage to other's sword.
That is the owner's attitude. BE AN OWNER, IF YOU ARE.

By Inkyo (The old sword master)