Thank you for the kind words, Mr.Priestley. I went through a lot of grief over the last few days, after I understood I had spent tens of thousands of Dollars, on a non-genuine kataná. My doctor prescribed me some medication to help me sleep, and I'm recovering.
Yes, I'm very happy to have one of those students, of the almighty Yoshiharo Yoshinda, make me the blade. In reality, he hasn't made a blade in ten years, because he let's his apprentices make them. He is friends of my father, and is doing this as a favor. Furthermore, at 67, he's thinking about retiring.
He is very adamant about following tradition, Sir. He is so fanatical, about following tradition, that I went to a Xintoist Temple, to find out what my Kami is, because he always makes kataná consacrating it to a Kami. He told me that, every time he hammers the steel, he has to say it's name out loud.
You are right:if the Japanese Government, itself, allows him to make blades to display at museums and art galleries, then it's because he's obviously highly skilled at making Shinsakuto. By the way,I've seen his tatara, where he makes the tamahagane. furthermore, I've also seen pictures of him smelting, with Yoshinda himself.
http://www.swordforum.com/forums/showthread.php?58710-My-Katan%E1&p=674853&highlight=#post674853LOL!!A!!!!!!
