WTF Hissatsu

A

AzraelFirestorm

Joined
Jan 20, 2009
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I was just perusing some blades when I noticed this strange little bit of info: apparently Japanese customs doesn't allow importation of the Hissatsu fixed blade from Columbia River.

and, um....why not?:confused:

This has no effect on me (seeing as I'm not in Japan) but I was curious.
 
um....but Samurai Swords are just weapons.....unless of course people have taken to carving the Thanksgiving turkey (or whatever the f*** the Japanese carve up and devour) with em.....:rolleyes: so, why would it being just a weapon make a difference?

I know firearm ownership over there is unrealistic (striiiiiiiict gun laws in Pokemonland), so I would think defensive knives are more common.
 
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Sword ownership in Japan is also controlled IIRC

Weapons are a nono in the land of the rising sun
D
 
They are a densely populated, highly regulated society, and have been for centuries.

Weapons in official hands are one thing; private ownership less so. Have you noticed many samurai out walking their swords these days? They are venerated as historical, traditional art objects now but open carry of weapons ended a long time ago..
 
I never said anything about carry....I'm sure most places frown on civilians carrying full-sized war swords in public.....

Although, if I ever start my own country....feel free to wear a bazooka. I don't give a shite:)
 
Indeed. Japan's sword production is HIGHLY controlled and limited by the government. They are seen as objects of art and history, and are kept for a small number to assure quality.

Many Japanese smiths will travel abroad, usually to China, and forge blades there. It will be done exactly as they do in Japan, but they don't have to deal with Japan's strict legislature. These swords won't fetch quite as much as a genuine Nihonto forged in Japan, but it will increase the smith's income significantly.

This is also the main reason why Iaito(blunt, practice Katana) are usually made of Aluminum. Japanese smiths can only produce so many true swords, so they wouldn't waste their time making a blunt. Since swords can't be manufactured en masse, Aluminum blunt trainers were made to fill the role.
Most Iaidoka still use Aluminum Iaito out of habit, though blunt, steel Katana are making a comeback, being more effective in training due to Aluminum's light weight.
 
I looked at purchasing a knife out of Japan once.

I don't know all the intricate internal details, but in discussing the purchase back and forth with a broker for the seller he informed me that I would first have to purchase and pay for the knife, then, with a confirmed sale and destination, he would have to apply to customs to find out if they would issue a permit to allow him to ship it out of the country.

Despite promises of a full refund if the permit was refused I felt it was too much hassle, not to mention the risk of being scammed, so I backed out.

If the guy was giving me the straight goods, it certainly indicates that knives are indeed highly regulated in Japan.

Kevin
 
My father was in Japan on business (refuses to retire) and was looking for a small sword or knife to bring back. He couldn't find anything. Not one edged tool...
Apparently someone attacked a bunch of people with a knife and instantly Japanese Big Brother stepped in and took every edged tool off the shelves. Talk about insanity...
 
umm........I'm wondering when that was.......

i was in Tokyo in Oct., and I saw stores full of knives..even strider knives.

Matter of fact, I even went to the Tokyo Custom Kinfe Guild show..it was very nice.

I have a feeling maybe the name turned someone off, and crtk decided not to hassle with it.
 
SShepherd said:
umm........I'm wondering when that was.......

i was in Tokyo in Oct., and I saw stores full of knives..even strider knives.

Matter of fact, I even went to the Tokyo Custom Kinfe Guild show..it was very nice.

I have a feeling maybe the name turned someone off, and crtk decided not to hassle with it.
Click to expand...

I want to say....last March maybe? I'm not positive, I'll check ASAP.

Now I'm pissed he missed out on that :mad:

:D:p
 
Hey guys,
I currently live in Osaka. Of course I spent my first few weeks here on fruitless quests for swords and knives. I've finally found one store in town that sells authentic swords, but they are incredibly expensive(4000-11,000 USD), and ownership is strictly controlled by the government. So it is possible to find some katanas and tactical knives, but the vast majority of people I've talked to here want nothing to do with swords or knives.(excepting kitchen knives)
Here is a good Japanese cutlery store if anyone's interested http://www.ichimonji.co.jp/
Here is a good article on Japanese sword laws http://www.jssus.org/nkp/japanese_sword_laws.html
Cheers,
Casey
P.S. I'm a bladeforums Noob, so fire away :-)
 
one of my FMA students works for the Japanese government and really wants to brings back a sword from the Philippines but even he has to contend with their extremely strict laws re: edged items. He decided not to even try to go through the process.

A little off topic..

I can understand their rationale for limiting the production of katanas. But clamping down on everything with an edge on it is stupid. Despite their actions, knives will always be readily available. Any psycho can pick up a chef's knife and still go on a stabbing rampage. Regulating knives isn't as effective as regulating handguns.
 
I can think of one or two reasons they wouldnt let CRK&T knives into Japan :rolleyes::p

I have just picked up a few Kiku Matsuda knives from a guy in Japan with no problems.
His knives are farily weaponish, there is also guys in Japan like "Nemoto knives" who make knives marketed as weapons.
Those makers knives are fairly cost prohibitive though so maybe they just dont want lower cost stuff coming from over seas,
could be they just dont like "Japanese blades" being made out side Japan ?
 
I was really hoping this thread was going to be about a new model of hissatsu called the WTF. I would buy that knife.
 
Post-war Japanese laws require the destruction of symbolic objects related to WW2 Japanese militarism; in particular swords which was the the physical embodiment of the Bushido spirit.
These days however (like in so many other countries), the worry is related to the unlawful ownership and the rampant use of knives in this contemporary world of ours as a means to address personal frustration and dissatisfaction.
-http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=59845
 
caseyp said:
Hey guys,
I currently live in Osaka. Of course I spent my first few weeks here on fruitless quests for swords and knives. I've finally found one store in town that sells authentic swords, but they are incredibly expensive(4000-11,000 USD), and ownership is strictly controlled by the government. So it is possible to find some katanas and tactical knives, but the vast majority of people I've talked to here want nothing to do with swords or knives.(excepting kitchen knives)
Here is a good Japanese cutlery store if anyone's interested http://www.ichimonji.co.jp/
Here is a good article on Japanese sword laws http://www.jssus.org/nkp/japanese_sword_laws.html
Cheers,
Casey
P.S. I'm a bladeforums Noob, so fire away :-)
Click to expand...

11,000 usd..is that all;)

check out "Japan sword" in Tokyo....there's a number there over 50k usd:eek:
 
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