Surreal

Today was just surreal. It is the only way to describe it. My friend and I met and had tea with Yoshindo Yoshihara a master sword craftsman. In fact Yoshindo is a "cultural asset" to Japan. Not only did we meet and talk with Yoshindo but we were sitting in his living room having tea and chatting like old friends. Yoshindo and his wife were the epitome of Japanese hospitality by allowing these two gaijin into their home. We had a very interesting conversation about the methods he uses to craft swords, how he chooses the metal he will use, how he learned the craft from his grandfather, etc. I was in complete awe during and after our visit that Yoshindo would take the time to open his home and his workshop to complete strangers.

I didn't get any pictures but my friend has video from our visit. I will link to it when he posts it.