Worrying News From Niigata

It wasn't my intention to return to blogging on a down note, but I thought that recent events would be of special concern to readers of this blog.

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Last weekend, a storm front came East from China and Korea, hitting the upper part of Honshu, and apparently decided to stop. It's dumped over 1 meter of rain, and still hasn't stopped. More than 300,000 people have been asked to move to higher ground, and Sanjo City is right in the middle of the flooding.

It goes without saying, my heart goes out to all those who are losing their homes and livelihoods in this devastating flood. So far the toll in lives has been three souls, and I grieve for their families.

But foremost in my mind is that I have been unable to contact Iwasaki-shi or Mizuochi-san, both of whom live in Sanjo. Iwasaki-shi's house is on high ground, luckily, at the very edge of Sanjo, on the side of a mountain. Mizuochi-san, however, is a bit further down. I can only pray that they and their families are safe.

Brief Hiatus

I'm taking about a month off of blogging to take some of some other bidness that I keep putting off. There will be some other things happening around here, mainly technical changes, but don't be expecting any updates until at least August.

In the meantime, here's a video of a lion, a wildebeest and a crocodile fighting. Have a Summah!

Aoto Talk

Let's take a little break from talking Iwasaki (there's more to come) and talk about some stones.

Iwasaki-sensei: Lessons Learned Part 2

Lesson 3 Folding Straight Razors
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Iwasaki-Sensei-Lessons Learned Part 1

I've been holding back on this post for a bit, but I reckon it's time to get going.
(This is a very long post)

Been and Gone, Sanjou City Post 3: Mini Blade Museum

Apparently, being a bladesmith with a worldwide reputation leads to some pretty cool gifts.

Honing Razors and Nihonkamisori: Updated.

I made a translation error, of course.

Been and Gone, Sanjou City Post 2: Conception of a Kamisori

I can't really say I saw it to the end, but I was there at the beginning.

Been and Gone, Sanjou City Post 1: The Touristy Bits

So I've been back from visiting Iwasaki-San and Mizuochi-San in Sanjou City for a couple of days now, and I'm still not done processing all I saw and learned.

Tomorrow's The Big Day

I'm off to Niigata tomorrow.

A Lovely Piece of Craftsmanship

If you haven't seen Phillip Dobson's work, you really are missing out.

At Long Last: Honing Razors and Nihonkamisori

It's finished.

New Look--What do you think?

I'm trying out some new things, mixing it up a little. Let me know what you think about it!

Shaving with Kamisori--The Final Word

I think I'm done answering this question.

Never Too Late To Learn

I've been straight shaving pretty much daily for well over two years now, and I still surprise myself with the occasional breakthrough.

How's it Going?

Hey there...

Stay Tuned

I'll Be Back Soon

I promise. I'm still shaving and honing and all that stuff.
Just got other things on my mind.

That's all.

Earthquake **UPDATE**

Now that things have gotten a little calmer, I just want to update.

It's On!

I reached my target, the fundraiser is over, and I talked to Iwasaki-sensei. I'm going to Niigata!

Pound for Pound...

The priciest stone I own.

What A Day!

Oddly enough, for the first time in more than 3 years here in Hikari, I went to a flea market. What fun!

What A Day!

Oddly enough, for the first time in more than 3 years here in Hikari, I went to a flea market. What fun!

It's held on the grounds of a temple near the sea, on the last Sunday of every month. There was all manner of things...dodgy katanas, old kimonos, "antique coins" and all kinds of stuff.

For Those With Money to Spend

I've got things to sell...

A Japanese Lesson

There's a Japanese word that's been running around in my brain for a while...

S T R A I G H T

That's how it's spelled.

Eight letters, but no "8"s in it.

That's all.

Finally, A Reason To Hone

My razors FINALLY started to tug.

Not Exactly On Topic

I've got a new project I'd like to tell you about...nothing at all to do with shaving or razors, but hey...there's more to life than that.

Raise Your Eyes

Well, my fundraiser page is up.

Gonna Need a Little Help

So, in reference to our last post, I'm going to need a bit of a boost.

Testing...

Pay no mind for the time being.

Amazing!

What a package arrived the other night...

Diamond Nagura?

People keep telling me that diamond plates are the way to make slurry. I've tried it before but not liked it as much as my Tomonagura.

Back to Basics

I'm not good with stress.

What Am I Doing Here?

Another Arrow in the Quiver

A pre-Christmas stone finally got some steel-time.

Christmas Razors from Kansas

A while ago, a year I reckon, I commissioned my brother to hunt down razors etc. for me, in the apparently fertile shops of SE Kansas. It paid off this year!