[Jeremy Scott Steimel]

Well, my (unfortunately short) trip to this year's Token Kai is over, and, also unfortunately, my digital camera wasn't playing too nice today (not to mention I only had a 16 meg card on me), but I do have some fairly interesting pictures nonetheless. I only had a few hours to stay at the show and spent a lot of the time chatting with Brandon, Jason, and Anthony, so I can't give much info on these pieces since I was moving from table to table fairly quick. The pictures should speak for themselves, though. There are also some pictures on hold for later until a certain lucky new owner gets his hands on his sword first.

There were two full sets of armor at this year's show. Alongside the first set of armor were a few antique Japanese rifles. The kabuto on the second set was very interesting, although the picture is missing the detail that makes it so. Don't mind the bubble wrap. ;-)






This is another picture I definitely wish would've turned out better... an old (but well kept, and very ornate) Meiji Imperial coat. Below it is a picture the gentleman had which shows Okubo Toshimichi wearing a very similar uniform.







Here are a couple shots of a blade by Anthony DiCristafano, polished by Brandon Thell. In person, this is an absolutely beautiful piece.







This pair of nihonto definitely wins "Best Displayed" -- and they're beautiful swords, ta' boot. If anyone wants it, I have the full shot of both views in the original larger, higher-quality shot (could be sized down and used as a wall-paper).










Here's another pair of Nihonto, just because while I love wild and crazy hamons, I'm a sucker for a beautiful, subtle notare.

[Jeremy Scott Steimel]

(in a reply because I hit the 10-pic limit)

And last, but definitely not least, my spoil -- a tanto by Jason Dingledine which I snagged up. Very nice piece, and if you get it in the right light in person, you can already make out the mune-yaki Jason was describing which sold me on the piece. I can't wait to see it polished and mounted up!