After I saw Al Gore's " An Incovenient Truth", I became to use my bicycle more than before and less automobile. I have an Itarian car and an Itarian bicycle.
I run by an bicycle for at least two hours a day some practical use going to Tokyo American Club, Shopping, Theaters and Boxing Gym.
My bicycle is sporty type with no basket to carry something on but it is fast in the city.
Many people have shifted to bicycles because they are many varieties of the style, sporty to practical.
Eric Plankton a gutarist came to Japan and visited a small bicycle shop in Tokyo. He purchased US$8000- one.
The cheapest one made in China is $100-.
In 1930's Japanese used bicycles for military trasportation porpose because they always suffered by the lack of fuel.
There were troops that all the soldiers moved by bicycles. (Swiss did the same thing.)
I have seen once the actual military bicycle made by Miyata. It looks like a mountain bicycle.
They begun to use a bicyclel early 19th century during Russo Japanese War for scouts.
Nowadays even European expensive bicycles have some Japanese parts such as Shimano's shift gear.
I heard that in 1950's there used be hundreds of bicycle makers in Japan.
I have no idea why so many companys made bicycles in Japan.
see, http://japaneseweapons.com
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
Monday, February 26, 2007
Sunday, February 25, 2007
"Letters from Iwojima" got a technology award
The film won the 79th Academy's, Sound Effect Award.
The scene a Model 99 machine gun shot and someone recording the sound of the gunshots at the shooting range, was shown in the TV program
This film is very impressive for Japanese.
We do not know what happened there truely.
Because most of the men did not returned.
So General Kuribayasi and Bron Nisih, how they died , no one knows.
Clint Eastwood thought that tiny island both Japanese and U.S. total 30000 men died is a special place.
Why Japanese fought without no escape.
There were many words sporken about this subject in the film.
The sound of Model 99 light machine guns were OK, but Model 92 heavy machine guns were those of Browing guns. A Model 92 had short intervals between shots and it sounded low.
(In the film "Thin Red Line" it was a real M-92 sounds.)
I would like to tell this fact to Clint Eastwood and the technicians.
The scene a Model 99 machine gun shot and someone recording the sound of the gunshots at the shooting range, was shown in the TV program
This film is very impressive for Japanese.
We do not know what happened there truely.
Because most of the men did not returned.
So General Kuribayasi and Bron Nisih, how they died , no one knows.
Clint Eastwood thought that tiny island both Japanese and U.S. total 30000 men died is a special place.
Why Japanese fought without no escape.
There were many words sporken about this subject in the film.
The sound of Model 99 light machine guns were OK, but Model 92 heavy machine guns were those of Browing guns. A Model 92 had short intervals between shots and it sounded low.
(In the film "Thin Red Line" it was a real M-92 sounds.)
I would like to tell this fact to Clint Eastwood and the technicians.
the book "Japanese Small Arms and Equipment"
Thi is my fourth book published in 1995.
It is A3 size 210pages all color about 200 photos of Japanese Rifles, Bayonets,Pistols, Light Machineguns,Scopes, Portably Motars, Granedes, Foot Gears,Uniforms, Helmets, Communication tools, Construction tools, Gas Masks and many other Gears of Japanese Infantry until 1945.
I worte this book in New York City.
I have visited many museums and people who collected Japanes Items.
It was a large work spending many hours.
The book was in Japanese but I put English as much as I could for each photo.
I found many markings on the weapons which means the makers.
Most of them still be active in Japan and sucessful.
The production conditions in late war especially in 1944 due to lack of materials , workers and damages of bombardments of U.S. Airforces, were worst.
They had learned how to solve the problems, saving enegys, increasing efficiency, trainning younger workers such as students so on.
It made them stronger later.
In Vietnam most of the weapons came from USSR and no technology or skills did not accumulated.
see, http://japaneseweapona.com
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
It is A3 size 210pages all color about 200 photos of Japanese Rifles, Bayonets,Pistols, Light Machineguns,Scopes, Portably Motars, Granedes, Foot Gears,Uniforms, Helmets, Communication tools, Construction tools, Gas Masks and many other Gears of Japanese Infantry until 1945.
I worte this book in New York City.
I have visited many museums and people who collected Japanes Items.
It was a large work spending many hours.
The book was in Japanese but I put English as much as I could for each photo.
I found many markings on the weapons which means the makers.
Most of them still be active in Japan and sucessful.
The production conditions in late war especially in 1944 due to lack of materials , workers and damages of bombardments of U.S. Airforces, were worst.
They had learned how to solve the problems, saving enegys, increasing efficiency, trainning younger workers such as students so on.
It made them stronger later.
In Vietnam most of the weapons came from USSR and no technology or skills did not accumulated.
see, http://japaneseweapona.com
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
the Book "Japanese Machineguns"
This book is my latest work which published in 2003.
It is a 470 pages book describeing all my researches works of Japanese machineguns.
The Japanese adapted Hotchkiss machineguns developing thier 6.5mm common ammo of their Model30
rifles.
They were widely used at Russo-Japanese War in 1905-06.
Russians used Maxim guns.
The war was the model of WWI ten years later.
I thank you many people for the help.
This book is the only book written exculsively about Japanese machineguns.
Unfortunately the book is only in Japanese.
see, http://japaneseweapona.com
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
It is a 470 pages book describeing all my researches works of Japanese machineguns.
The Japanese adapted Hotchkiss machineguns developing thier 6.5mm common ammo of their Model30
rifles.
They were widely used at Russo-Japanese War in 1905-06.
Russians used Maxim guns.
The war was the model of WWI ten years later.
I thank you many people for the help.
This book is the only book written exculsively about Japanese machineguns.
Unfortunately the book is only in Japanese.
see, http://japaneseweapona.com
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Secrets of Sumurai's Garden
It is said the original design of Japanese Garden was established by Zen monks before the War era that was in 16th century.
Some level of Samurais had their own estate surrounded by walls.
There was their own style of garden in each house with some idea protecting the house and people using their garden.
Pebbles in the surface of the house made sounds when someone from outside approaching the house. Also stones and pebbles were used for spiting.
Bamboo, this was a good back ground of the view, but in case they made fences or spears from the thick trunks and arrow shafts from thin trunks. There were different kinds of banboo.
Once it was boild by oil it became very hard to use as weapons.
Piles of sands near an entrance. They were used to shapen the blades.
Ponds and fishs. Of course water was necessary for extinguish fiers. Fishs were exstra provisions. They had several wells for drinking water and from a spring they made streams and ponds.
When we see the traditional gardens , we do not know the meaning of the arrangement but they were made by some idea of fights.
Please visit, http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
http://japaneseweapons.com
Some level of Samurais had their own estate surrounded by walls.
There was their own style of garden in each house with some idea protecting the house and people using their garden.
Pebbles in the surface of the house made sounds when someone from outside approaching the house. Also stones and pebbles were used for spiting.
Bamboo, this was a good back ground of the view, but in case they made fences or spears from the thick trunks and arrow shafts from thin trunks. There were different kinds of banboo.
Once it was boild by oil it became very hard to use as weapons.
Piles of sands near an entrance. They were used to shapen the blades.
Ponds and fishs. Of course water was necessary for extinguish fiers. Fishs were exstra provisions. They had several wells for drinking water and from a spring they made streams and ponds.
When we see the traditional gardens , we do not know the meaning of the arrangement but they were made by some idea of fights.
Please visit, http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
http://japaneseweapons.com
Friday, February 23, 2007
NYPD paniced on 911 in 2001
My son went to the gound zero before the two buildings crashed.
I was worried that he might involve the crach.
He came back home with some idea.
In my office like in the Japnese headquater, just in case we had prepared same number of the empoyees' gear for the emegency, such as helmets, leather thick gorves, lights and bottles of water.
Some young guys volaunteered to bring them to the site for workers.
My sonalso told that workers at the site needed some light at night. Our Japanese client had some products such as head lights and batteries.
I called the chairman of the company.
He was watching the taragedy from the otherside of the river. He promised us to prepare products full of two trucks .
But it took several hours, in the evening two client's trucks lead by N.J. State Police car arrived .
It was just in time the resucuer workers needed lightings.
In several month not only NYPD but other city's , state's and goverment's organaizations confused.
My pistol licence would not be renewed.
Westside Pistol club where I was a member told me
to bring the pistols to the club. But my antique guns had different significance, so I decided to
move them out of the city. They are gone now, I do not own them. It is a pity.
What happened to the security of the airport. For me the tension they had just after 911 is gone.
I was worried that he might involve the crach.
He came back home with some idea.
In my office like in the Japnese headquater, just in case we had prepared same number of the empoyees' gear for the emegency, such as helmets, leather thick gorves, lights and bottles of water.
Some young guys volaunteered to bring them to the site for workers.
My sonalso told that workers at the site needed some light at night. Our Japanese client had some products such as head lights and batteries.
I called the chairman of the company.
He was watching the taragedy from the otherside of the river. He promised us to prepare products full of two trucks .
But it took several hours, in the evening two client's trucks lead by N.J. State Police car arrived .
It was just in time the resucuer workers needed lightings.
In several month not only NYPD but other city's , state's and goverment's organaizations confused.
My pistol licence would not be renewed.
Westside Pistol club where I was a member told me
to bring the pistols to the club. But my antique guns had different significance, so I decided to
move them out of the city. They are gone now, I do not own them. It is a pity.
What happened to the security of the airport. For me the tension they had just after 911 is gone.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
If you want to see the collection of Japaneseweapons
In U.S. there are some military museums to display them.
Mostly in East Coast.
There are at Springfield, West Point, Aberdeen,Quantic,Fort Benning, Smithsonian and Oregon.
At Aberdeen, Army Ordnance Museuma has a largest collection of them including three tanks.
In Japan there are not many and their collections are not complete.
The biggest one is at "Yushuukan Museum " of Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo.
I saw many visiters from overseas visiting there. It locates at the center of the city.
There is one more in the Weapon's School of Self Defence Army at Tsuchiura. But this is not open to public. It took one hour half driving to there from the city.
For the Japanese , weapons are still taboo and teachers, parents tell kids that they are bad objects.
There are some open sky markets all over the country.
The best customers for the military good are collectors from overseas who collect wartime items.
They are mostly younger people and very keen to search their items such as gears , photos, optical weapons, maps and so on.
see, http://japaneseweapons.com
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
Mostly in East Coast.
There are at Springfield, West Point, Aberdeen,Quantic,Fort Benning, Smithsonian and Oregon.
At Aberdeen, Army Ordnance Museuma has a largest collection of them including three tanks.
In Japan there are not many and their collections are not complete.
The biggest one is at "Yushuukan Museum " of Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo.
I saw many visiters from overseas visiting there. It locates at the center of the city.
There is one more in the Weapon's School of Self Defence Army at Tsuchiura. But this is not open to public. It took one hour half driving to there from the city.
For the Japanese , weapons are still taboo and teachers, parents tell kids that they are bad objects.
There are some open sky markets all over the country.
The best customers for the military good are collectors from overseas who collect wartime items.
They are mostly younger people and very keen to search their items such as gears , photos, optical weapons, maps and so on.
see, http://japaneseweapons.com
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
TSA and my FAA licence
I have got a Japanese private pilot licence in mid '60's and FAA licence in mid 70's.
My flight log time is over 450hours and I got a multi engine rating in U.S.
That was one of my trophies.
I have not flown for many years.
Last year I wanted to challenge a rotor plane rating ( a helicopter).
To control a helicopter is completely different to fly by an airplane.
I visited a flight club in C.T. Of course C.T. is a nice state.
When the instructor heard that I was a Japanese citizen, even he wanted me as a student, but his facegot cloudy.
He was told from TSA that he must not accept a foreign student because of the terrorist's fear.
He gave me a chance to fly with him once. It was a fan.
On the final leg, a helicopter seemed too high to glide for the landing but that was the
style of the flying.
Anyway I gave up to learn the rotor plane.
please visit, http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
http://japaneseweapons.com
My flight log time is over 450hours and I got a multi engine rating in U.S.
That was one of my trophies.
I have not flown for many years.
Last year I wanted to challenge a rotor plane rating ( a helicopter).
To control a helicopter is completely different to fly by an airplane.
I visited a flight club in C.T. Of course C.T. is a nice state.
When the instructor heard that I was a Japanese citizen, even he wanted me as a student, but his facegot cloudy.
He was told from TSA that he must not accept a foreign student because of the terrorist's fear.
He gave me a chance to fly with him once. It was a fan.
On the final leg, a helicopter seemed too high to glide for the landing but that was the
style of the flying.
Anyway I gave up to learn the rotor plane.
please visit, http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
http://japaneseweapons.com
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
After 911 and my ATF license
I was very close to the ground Zero when the terrorists attacked it.
It was a kind of shock that I cannot describe what I felt as many people who were there.
After several month I became to fell something strange, something changing in U.S.
I had collected some Japnese weapons which had historical value and made some reseach be an author of five books.
Those activities had done because I had all leagal process keeping ATF curio and collectors license.
I had been a private pilot and kept a FAA license.
If the U.S. goverment closed over those two licenses, I should be a prospect of a terrorist.
I had became uncomfortable be in U.S.
Finally I asked the compny I worked and returned to Japan and spent lest of my businessman's
life.
The ATF license, they had never renew it. I called the office at Atlanta, she could not understand my English and I could not understand her English.
I asked my assistant who spoke only in English to call again, but she also understand what going on.
please see, http://japaneseweapons.com
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
It was a kind of shock that I cannot describe what I felt as many people who were there.
After several month I became to fell something strange, something changing in U.S.
I had collected some Japnese weapons which had historical value and made some reseach be an author of five books.
Those activities had done because I had all leagal process keeping ATF curio and collectors license.
I had been a private pilot and kept a FAA license.
If the U.S. goverment closed over those two licenses, I should be a prospect of a terrorist.
I had became uncomfortable be in U.S.
Finally I asked the compny I worked and returned to Japan and spent lest of my businessman's
life.
The ATF license, they had never renew it. I called the office at Atlanta, she could not understand my English and I could not understand her English.
I asked my assistant who spoke only in English to call again, but she also understand what going on.
please see, http://japaneseweapons.com
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
Machine guns shooting in Maine
I have a friend who knows Japanese machineguns more than anyone in the world.
He lives in State of Maine and I drove there from NYC twice a year during my stay in U.S.
He took me out for Japanese machine guns shooting every time.
It took three hours to prepare the shooting for assembleing and checking guns carefully.
We had three different places for the shootings.
One of them was his friends' estate where his friend makes bottles of drinking water as merchandise.
We went there one day and from his pot on a hill, we shoot the target by Model 96, 99 and Navy 92 .
We all were very relaxed and happy under the commfatable early summer sun with wind and smell of the gun smoke.
Then for a while a car came to the entrance. His wife came back.
She saw us and looked not friendly to us. It was a natural attitude.
I have visited many people for my research of weapons.
It was very seldom experience that wives liked to see someone visiting her house and handling
weapons.
This is common in Japan. Not many women like someone coming to see her husband weapon collections.
He lives in State of Maine and I drove there from NYC twice a year during my stay in U.S.
He took me out for Japanese machine guns shooting every time.
It took three hours to prepare the shooting for assembleing and checking guns carefully.
We had three different places for the shootings.
One of them was his friends' estate where his friend makes bottles of drinking water as merchandise.
We went there one day and from his pot on a hill, we shoot the target by Model 96, 99 and Navy 92 .
We all were very relaxed and happy under the commfatable early summer sun with wind and smell of the gun smoke.
Then for a while a car came to the entrance. His wife came back.
She saw us and looked not friendly to us. It was a natural attitude.
I have visited many people for my research of weapons.
It was very seldom experience that wives liked to see someone visiting her house and handling
weapons.
This is common in Japan. Not many women like someone coming to see her husband weapon collections.
Machinegau shooting in Maine
I have a friend who knows Japanese machineguns more than anyone in the world.
He lives in State of Maine and I drove there from NYC twice a year during my stay in U.S.
He took me out for Japanese machine guns shooting every time.
It took three hours to prepare the shooting for assembleing and checking guns carefully.
We had three different places for the shootings.
One of them was his friends' estate where his friend makes bottles of drinking water as merchandise.
We went there one day and from his pot on a hill, we shoot the target by Model 96, 99 and Navy 92 .
We all were very relaxed and happy under the commfatable early summer sun with wind and smell of the gun smoke.
Then for a while a car came to the entrance. His wife came back.
She saw us and looked not friendly to us. It was a natural attitude.
I have visited many people for my research of weapons.
It was very seldom experience that wives liked to see someone visiting her house and handling
weapons.
This is common in Japan. Not many women like someone coming to see her husband weapon collections.
He lives in State of Maine and I drove there from NYC twice a year during my stay in U.S.
He took me out for Japanese machine guns shooting every time.
It took three hours to prepare the shooting for assembleing and checking guns carefully.
We had three different places for the shootings.
One of them was his friends' estate where his friend makes bottles of drinking water as merchandise.
We went there one day and from his pot on a hill, we shoot the target by Model 96, 99 and Navy 92 .
We all were very relaxed and happy under the commfatable early summer sun with wind and smell of the gun smoke.
Then for a while a car came to the entrance. His wife came back.
She saw us and looked not friendly to us. It was a natural attitude.
I have visited many people for my research of weapons.
It was very seldom experience that wives liked to see someone visiting her house and handling
weapons.
This is common in Japan. Not many women like someone coming to see her husband weapon collections.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Banzai Shootout
This is an event every year at Memorial day held in Bobby Blevines estate in Alabama.
I paticipated three times, driving from New York City to Blevines palce. It took 15 hours.
Stoping overnight on the way so it needed 6nights to attend the rally.
There used be many people from all over U.S. but most of them were form Shouthen States.
Usually 2-30 members bringing their own Japanese collecitons and shot at Blevines estate.
Once I asked Bobby to prepare a junk truck, I wanted to test how light machineguns work for vehicles and also wanted to see the differences of 6.5mm bullet and 7.7mm
bullets especially armord pierce.
It was a fan and very usuful for my Japanese weapons' reseach works.
People were nice.
I have seen many interesting items from many collectors and they told me stories.
Knowing the people was my biggest fruit of the rally.
I may attend once more this year.
This is not a welcomed hobby.
See, http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
http://japaneseweapons.com
I paticipated three times, driving from New York City to Blevines palce. It took 15 hours.
Stoping overnight on the way so it needed 6nights to attend the rally.
There used be many people from all over U.S. but most of them were form Shouthen States.
Usually 2-30 members bringing their own Japanese collecitons and shot at Blevines estate.
Once I asked Bobby to prepare a junk truck, I wanted to test how light machineguns work for vehicles and also wanted to see the differences of 6.5mm bullet and 7.7mm
bullets especially armord pierce.
It was a fan and very usuful for my Japanese weapons' reseach works.
People were nice.
I have seen many interesting items from many collectors and they told me stories.
Knowing the people was my biggest fruit of the rally.
I may attend once more this year.
This is not a welcomed hobby.
See, http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
http://japaneseweapons.com
Sunday, February 18, 2007
American left a boat gun in 1854
In 1853 and 54, American fleets lead by Admiral Mattew Perry's came to Edo Bay(Tokyo)
asking Japan to open the country.
Perry's fleet in 1853 was four black painted boats and in '54, it was nine boats.
They made Japanese into panic eventually she opened the country to Weatern countries not only Dutch.
It is said Perry threaten Tokugawa goverment somethig this way,
if Japan wanted to fight, he would use his cannons to down the castle and town.
It made Japanese to prepare the forts and cannons.
In a few years they progressed a lot in the field of weaponary.
But actually even if Perry's fleet wanted to open fire, the castle was out of range.
Because at that days the Edo Bay near the shore about seveal miles were shallow and American
boats which had deep draft could not reach the line.
Perry had prepared some landing vessels which had shallow draft to land the beach.
Anyway they nagociated and did not open fire.
Perry left one of the landing vessel as a gift.
Japanese tried to make the boat gun which fixed at the front of the landing boat.
They made some but did not know how to make the shells which were explosive.
After 1853 to 1868 when Meiji Restoration was done successfully, during this period we call
"Bakumatu" (end era of Bakufu, Tokugawa goverment).
see, http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
http://japaneseweapons.com
asking Japan to open the country.
Perry's fleet in 1853 was four black painted boats and in '54, it was nine boats.
They made Japanese into panic eventually she opened the country to Weatern countries not only Dutch.
It is said Perry threaten Tokugawa goverment somethig this way,
if Japan wanted to fight, he would use his cannons to down the castle and town.
It made Japanese to prepare the forts and cannons.
In a few years they progressed a lot in the field of weaponary.
But actually even if Perry's fleet wanted to open fire, the castle was out of range.
Because at that days the Edo Bay near the shore about seveal miles were shallow and American
boats which had deep draft could not reach the line.
Perry had prepared some landing vessels which had shallow draft to land the beach.
Anyway they nagociated and did not open fire.
Perry left one of the landing vessel as a gift.
Japanese tried to make the boat gun which fixed at the front of the landing boat.
They made some but did not know how to make the shells which were explosive.
After 1853 to 1868 when Meiji Restoration was done successfully, during this period we call
"Bakumatu" (end era of Bakufu, Tokugawa goverment).
see, http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
http://japaneseweapons.com
Japanese make Hispano Suiza Engines
Japanese first flight was ten years after the Wright Brothers first flight.
Captain Tokugawa who was one of the descendants of Shougun was the pilot.
I found an engine made in 1920's at Akeno JSDF army flight school.
It may be one of the engines which Mitsubishi got a licence to make Hispano Suiza company.
Mitsubishi made 200hp, 300hp and 450hp engines.
The one I saw may be 200hp from the shape of exhaust section.
I saw 450hp one at Japanese Airo Sicence Museum but a small one is not common.
After the WWII, it is said that in very short period Japanese destroied all the weapons by the order of the Allied Force Head Quater. Big ones were scraped as metel and smaller ones dumped into deep seas. Of couse some American took for their soubenirs.
So Japanese did not kill any enemy used be after the war.
see, http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
http://www.japaneseweapons.com
Captain Tokugawa who was one of the descendants of Shougun was the pilot.
I found an engine made in 1920's at Akeno JSDF army flight school.
It may be one of the engines which Mitsubishi got a licence to make Hispano Suiza company.
Mitsubishi made 200hp, 300hp and 450hp engines.
The one I saw may be 200hp from the shape of exhaust section.
I saw 450hp one at Japanese Airo Sicence Museum but a small one is not common.
After the WWII, it is said that in very short period Japanese destroied all the weapons by the order of the Allied Force Head Quater. Big ones were scraped as metel and smaller ones dumped into deep seas. Of couse some American took for their soubenirs.
So Japanese did not kill any enemy used be after the war.
see, http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
http://www.japaneseweapons.com
Saturday, February 17, 2007
My research for Japanese weapons started
I was in U.S. for total eleven years and my research about this subject started and developed during that period.
I would like to write about how I strted the interest.
In Summer of 1977, we drove to the north of the New York City where I spent 11 years.
We passed a small town in country side where at the main street a frea market was going on.
It was clouded. While I was driving slowly I saw a Japanese sword at the edge of my eyes.
But I could not stop.
I parked the car some far leaving my wife and kids, run to the place where the sword was.
It was a long one with an original scabbard and all accessries were intact.
But when I draw out the blade , I found it was completely rusted red.
Seeing my unhappy face the lady who managed the table gave me a good price.
I do not remember how my wife's reaction was when she saw me back to the car with a sword.
But she has been helped my research a lot for many years. I thank you for her.
By the way the blade, after I came back to Japan I found a polisher nearby house and he did a good work.
please see, http://www.japaneseweapons.com
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
please
I would like to write about how I strted the interest.
In Summer of 1977, we drove to the north of the New York City where I spent 11 years.
We passed a small town in country side where at the main street a frea market was going on.
It was clouded. While I was driving slowly I saw a Japanese sword at the edge of my eyes.
But I could not stop.
I parked the car some far leaving my wife and kids, run to the place where the sword was.
It was a long one with an original scabbard and all accessries were intact.
But when I draw out the blade , I found it was completely rusted red.
Seeing my unhappy face the lady who managed the table gave me a good price.
I do not remember how my wife's reaction was when she saw me back to the car with a sword.
But she has been helped my research a lot for many years. I thank you for her.
By the way the blade, after I came back to Japan I found a polisher nearby house and he did a good work.
please see, http://www.japaneseweapons.com
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
please
A Face Protector in a new film "Hannibal Rising"
I saw some preview of this new film aout the story of teenager Lecter.
The scene started by the view of old Samurai Armor decorated at someones premise.
He picked up the face protector called "Menpou".
This action means something young Lecter starts.
A Sumurai Armor is a good decoration item.
I used have a few sets decorated in my house. Two red ones and one iron surfaced one.
But my wife complained our kids were scared so I kept them in original boxs since then
even if our kids grown up and left our house.
A Samurai Armor's helmet and face protector are separated parts. Many of them lacquered but some are iron itself which blackened but never rust.
Armors' style changed before and after the guns adapted for the battles in mid 16th century.
But it does not mean that an armor could protect a bullet.
I shot actually at N.J. with assistance of Cyros Smith and Bucky Malson,U.S.Muzzle Loarding
Association.
Most of the Sumurai Armors you see at Japanese or Japanese like restaurants are reproductions. Even a reproduction costs $1000- .
Real ones depend the class and conditions, but be not got by $1000-.
see, http://www.japaneseweapons.com
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
The scene started by the view of old Samurai Armor decorated at someones premise.
He picked up the face protector called "Menpou".
This action means something young Lecter starts.
A Sumurai Armor is a good decoration item.
I used have a few sets decorated in my house. Two red ones and one iron surfaced one.
But my wife complained our kids were scared so I kept them in original boxs since then
even if our kids grown up and left our house.
A Samurai Armor's helmet and face protector are separated parts. Many of them lacquered but some are iron itself which blackened but never rust.
Armors' style changed before and after the guns adapted for the battles in mid 16th century.
But it does not mean that an armor could protect a bullet.
I shot actually at N.J. with assistance of Cyros Smith and Bucky Malson,U.S.Muzzle Loarding
Association.
Most of the Sumurai Armors you see at Japanese or Japanese like restaurants are reproductions. Even a reproduction costs $1000- .
Real ones depend the class and conditions, but be not got by $1000-.
see, http://www.japaneseweapons.com
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
Friday, February 16, 2007
Nambu Original Pistols
Nambe original pistols were developed probably in 1902.
There were two kinds of caliber, one was 8mm and the other was 7mm.
Also 8mm's had two different types. One was a pistol holded by a wooden holster.
The other was just a gun.
Both of them were not officially adapted by Imperial Army.
Wooden holster ones exported to Thailand and guns were bought by Imperial Navy.
You can see a Navy Landing Force's cook at Shanghai hanging a holster of Nambu(Papa)
on his waist.
7mm's(Baby) were for officers. They were very expensive. It was almost three times high price than an average inported pistol. And it is expensive now too.
I had been keeping a 8mm and a 7mm, but after 911, I could not keep the licence any more.
It was a pitty.
Manions' came to me and I sold them by auction.
The guns were 100 years old should not need any licence.
But I was not comfortable to keep them at home.
see, http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
http://www.japaneseweapons.com
There were two kinds of caliber, one was 8mm and the other was 7mm.
Also 8mm's had two different types. One was a pistol holded by a wooden holster.
The other was just a gun.
Both of them were not officially adapted by Imperial Army.
Wooden holster ones exported to Thailand and guns were bought by Imperial Navy.
You can see a Navy Landing Force's cook at Shanghai hanging a holster of Nambu(Papa)
on his waist.
7mm's(Baby) were for officers. They were very expensive. It was almost three times high price than an average inported pistol. And it is expensive now too.
I had been keeping a 8mm and a 7mm, but after 911, I could not keep the licence any more.
It was a pitty.
Manions' came to me and I sold them by auction.
The guns were 100 years old should not need any licence.
But I was not comfortable to keep them at home.
see, http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
http://www.japaneseweapons.com
A broken sniper scope for Model 97 sniper
Japanese sniper rifles were adjusted with their scopes when they delivered the hands of snipers.
So, it was not impossible to adjust the scope at the battle field but diffirulet.
They needed some tools and technical skill.
The only person I know who could do in U.S., was Glen DeLuter at SARCO gunshop in N.J.
He was very knowledgable about Japanese sniper rifles and scopes.
He made some tools by himself and removing the tiny screws and tried to adjust the lenses.
But unfortunately he was killed by an accident at the shooting range several years ago.
Once I found a broken scope for Model 97 sniper. I brought back to Janan and asked one of my best friends who is an excellent smith.
He cut the mount and tube. He used a modern 3power rifle scope on the original mount.
It is a delicate work because he could not weld them but it should be durabel enough on a rifle.
I brought it back again to U.S. and tried to shoot with my M-97 rifle.
It worked well.
please refer, http://bolgs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons there are some photos
visit http://www.japaneseweapons.net
Aftere while I saw some advertisment on Shootgun News, wanting a broken Japanese sniper scopes.
So, it was not impossible to adjust the scope at the battle field but diffirulet.
They needed some tools and technical skill.
The only person I know who could do in U.S., was Glen DeLuter at SARCO gunshop in N.J.
He was very knowledgable about Japanese sniper rifles and scopes.
He made some tools by himself and removing the tiny screws and tried to adjust the lenses.
But unfortunately he was killed by an accident at the shooting range several years ago.
Once I found a broken scope for Model 97 sniper. I brought back to Janan and asked one of my best friends who is an excellent smith.
He cut the mount and tube. He used a modern 3power rifle scope on the original mount.
It is a delicate work because he could not weld them but it should be durabel enough on a rifle.
I brought it back again to U.S. and tried to shoot with my M-97 rifle.
It worked well.
please refer, http://bolgs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons there are some photos
visit http://www.japaneseweapons.net
Aftere while I saw some advertisment on Shootgun News, wanting a broken Japanese sniper scopes.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Japanese Model 38 rifles in Finland
I was contacted by Mr. Risto Suikkari who is a collector of Japanese M-38 rifles in Finland.
He has asked me some questions about inspection markings of a barrel and a stock of a gun.
Usually, there is just one character on them and it means the one character from an inspector's
family name.
He asked about several Kanji characters and one of them is "Mura".
He asked again "Was he related Colonel Murata?"
No, the term was different, Colonel Murata was active in 1870-80's. M-38 was developed by Colonel Nambu in 1906.
"Mura" means "village" in Kanji and are very common. There are many "Mura"s in Japanese family names.
Now, my turn to ask him. Why are there Japanese rifles in Finland?
He wrote me, when Russians withdrew the country in 1917、they left 33000 M-38 in Finland.
Japanese exported to Russia after Russo Japanese War to during WWI, about 600000 M-30 and M-38 rifles. The guns in Finland are some portion of them.
Please refer http://www.japaneseweapons.com or http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
He has asked me some questions about inspection markings of a barrel and a stock of a gun.
Usually, there is just one character on them and it means the one character from an inspector's
family name.
He asked about several Kanji characters and one of them is "Mura".
He asked again "Was he related Colonel Murata?"
No, the term was different, Colonel Murata was active in 1870-80's. M-38 was developed by Colonel Nambu in 1906.
"Mura" means "village" in Kanji and are very common. There are many "Mura"s in Japanese family names.
Now, my turn to ask him. Why are there Japanese rifles in Finland?
He wrote me, when Russians withdrew the country in 1917、they left 33000 M-38 in Finland.
Japanese exported to Russia after Russo Japanese War to during WWI, about 600000 M-30 and M-38 rifles. The guns in Finland are some portion of them.
Please refer http://www.japaneseweapons.com or http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Drawing a Japanese Sword
It is not easy to draw a Japanese Sword from its wooden scabbard.
Japanese sword has a sharp. thin and light blade comparing to ones in other countries.
They were holded by the belts of Samurais.
The outfits consists of wooden scabbard and wooden hile which has oval shaped cross seciton.
A hilt has a metal hand guard, "Tsuba". A blade can be assembled with the hilt.
Many other swords have all-in-one figure with blade and hilt.
To draw a Japanese sword, a samurai grips the hilt by his right hand. The left hand grip the base of scabbard. The left had is placed between a projection called "Kurikata" to put a cord of scabbard through to his belt.
When he squeeze the grip of his left grip, the blade is slight drawn to widen the the space between "Tsuba" and "Kuritata". Secondly he moves his left hand backward to place the scabbard on his back. Then he draws the blade by his right arm. It is the way to draw the blade.
The scabbard of course, be kept between his body and the belt.
"Kendo" is the first sports to pactice with protectibe gears and a bamboo practice stick "Shinai".
"Shinai" has round shaped cross section. So to pactice "Iai" is for being accoustomed to a real blace.
"Kendo" may be a official category of Olympic Games when it is held at Tokyo someday.
see, http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
They have some English title and article with photos.
Japanese sword has a sharp. thin and light blade comparing to ones in other countries.
They were holded by the belts of Samurais.
The outfits consists of wooden scabbard and wooden hile which has oval shaped cross seciton.
A hilt has a metal hand guard, "Tsuba". A blade can be assembled with the hilt.
Many other swords have all-in-one figure with blade and hilt.
To draw a Japanese sword, a samurai grips the hilt by his right hand. The left hand grip the base of scabbard. The left had is placed between a projection called "Kurikata" to put a cord of scabbard through to his belt.
When he squeeze the grip of his left grip, the blade is slight drawn to widen the the space between "Tsuba" and "Kuritata". Secondly he moves his left hand backward to place the scabbard on his back. Then he draws the blade by his right arm. It is the way to draw the blade.
The scabbard of course, be kept between his body and the belt.
"Kendo" is the first sports to pactice with protectibe gears and a bamboo practice stick "Shinai".
"Shinai" has round shaped cross section. So to pactice "Iai" is for being accoustomed to a real blace.
"Kendo" may be a official category of Olympic Games when it is held at Tokyo someday.
see, http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/japaneseweapons
They have some English title and article with photos.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Bows and Arrows of Japan
A Japanese bow is very long.
The regular size is seven feet long which is the longest bow in the world, I think.
So the arrows are long too. Since the guns introduced to Japan in 1543 bow and arrows were still important weapons as well as sporting goods.
To concentrate the minds, shooting bows had their existance as a marshal arts. Also in Japan bows and arrows have some spiritual backgrounds.
Bows and arrows are believed to avoid evils.
When practicing or competing, a set of four arrows is regular way of shooting.
The distance to the target is about 30 yards.
There are many fans of Japanese bow shooting. When you see an acutely weapons bow, it is suprisingly fat and heavy. Why is a Japanese bow is so long?
I think it is because of the materialsa. They use the combination of bamboo and wood.
They used be varieties of arrow heads. Some were square and some are thin.
As a matarshal art is is a good choice, because it is sophisticated. Manner is important.
please refer, yohoo japan blot "japaneseweapons"
The regular size is seven feet long which is the longest bow in the world, I think.
So the arrows are long too. Since the guns introduced to Japan in 1543 bow and arrows were still important weapons as well as sporting goods.
To concentrate the minds, shooting bows had their existance as a marshal arts. Also in Japan bows and arrows have some spiritual backgrounds.
Bows and arrows are believed to avoid evils.
When practicing or competing, a set of four arrows is regular way of shooting.
The distance to the target is about 30 yards.
There are many fans of Japanese bow shooting. When you see an acutely weapons bow, it is suprisingly fat and heavy. Why is a Japanese bow is so long?
I think it is because of the materialsa. They use the combination of bamboo and wood.
They used be varieties of arrow heads. Some were square and some are thin.
As a matarshal art is is a good choice, because it is sophisticated. Manner is important.
please refer, yohoo japan blot "japaneseweapons"
Monday, February 12, 2007
Japanese Sniper Scope for Model 99 Rifle
I already sold the rifle in U.S.
The rifle itself was made in 1944,one of late style of M-99 rifles but the scope was matched.
It was very accurate. The scope is 4 powers by 7 degrees.
There were no adjustement functions outside the scope. When the set of a sniper and a scope was delivered to the hands of a sniper, they had been already adjusted.
Mr. Glen Deluter at Sarco in N.J. was an authority of Japanese sniper rifles and scopes.
He made his own tools to adjust the scopes to rifles.
Most of the set of Japanese snipers and scopes were not matched.
I think the reason was when Japanese surrendered, they handled rifles and scopes separatly.
U.S. veterans took a rifle from a pile of rifles and a scope from a pile of scopes without knowing
that a scope was difficult to adjust to a rifle.
Glen was killed by an accident at a shooting range several years ago. It was a pity.
If you want to see photos and some more details go to,
Yahoo Japan blog , "japaneseweapons"
The rifle itself was made in 1944,one of late style of M-99 rifles but the scope was matched.
It was very accurate. The scope is 4 powers by 7 degrees.
There were no adjustement functions outside the scope. When the set of a sniper and a scope was delivered to the hands of a sniper, they had been already adjusted.
Mr. Glen Deluter at Sarco in N.J. was an authority of Japanese sniper rifles and scopes.
He made his own tools to adjust the scopes to rifles.
Most of the set of Japanese snipers and scopes were not matched.
I think the reason was when Japanese surrendered, they handled rifles and scopes separatly.
U.S. veterans took a rifle from a pile of rifles and a scope from a pile of scopes without knowing
that a scope was difficult to adjust to a rifle.
Glen was killed by an accident at a shooting range several years ago. It was a pity.
If you want to see photos and some more details go to,
Yahoo Japan blog , "japaneseweapons"
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Japanese Imperial Navy Binocular
While I have been searching Army Model 89 Binocular, instead of the item I found a Navy five power binocular in good condition with a cavas Kashu-Urushi penetrated make case from my colleciton.
I wrote this article Yohoo Japan Blog "japanseweapons" then I had a comment from a guy who
is very keen to research about Japanese Optical Weapons and is very knowledgable.
He wrote this is a rare model made by "Toshiba".
Toshiba(Tokyo Shibaura Denki) had another brand "Mazda" and used be a big optical subjects
supplyer to both Army and Navy.
About ten major commercial companys used make optical weapons.
Most of them are big and sucessful company's for hi-tec products nowadays.
Visit Yohoo Japan "japanseweapons".
It has a lot of information about Japanese weapons old to new until 1945
with some English articles and photos.
I wrote this article Yohoo Japan Blog "japanseweapons" then I had a comment from a guy who
is very keen to research about Japanese Optical Weapons and is very knowledgable.
He wrote this is a rare model made by "Toshiba".
Toshiba(Tokyo Shibaura Denki) had another brand "Mazda" and used be a big optical subjects
supplyer to both Army and Navy.
About ten major commercial companys used make optical weapons.
Most of them are big and sucessful company's for hi-tec products nowadays.
Visit Yohoo Japan "japanseweapons".
It has a lot of information about Japanese weapons old to new until 1945
with some English articles and photos.
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