[mnhloot]

Press Release

Cyberbudo and The Japanese Sword.com are pleased to announce the attendance of master swordsmith Ono Yoshimitsu and master sword polisher Abe Kazunori to Seni 07 (www.senishow.com) at the Excel Centre, Docklands, London May 19/20. This is a rare opportunity for anyone interested in Japanese swords, as this is the first time that these two master craftsmen have appeared outside of Japan.

Ono Yoshimitsu is a strong candidate to become a Living National Treasure. At the annual sword forging competition he won the top prize (Prince Takamatsu Award) four times in a row and five times in total—a feat unachieved by any of his contemporaries. Now ranked mukansa (above competition level), he no longer has to compete as his blades are guaranteed display at the annual exhibition in the Japanese Sword Museum, Tokyo. This is a rare chance to see a real master demonstrating some of the processes of sword making and view some of his works. Yoshimitsu is renowned for his re-creation of the Japanese national treasure sword called the Yamatorige. On this occasion we will be fortunate enough to be able to see this displayed at the Cyberbudo stand.

Abe Kazunori is a mukansa ranked Japanese sword polisher. A winner of seven first prizes at the annual sword polishing competition in Japan, he is one of the top polishers in Japan today and has been entrusted with polishing many important Japanese swords. Also a producer of oshigata (hand drawn records of Japanese swords) for a major sword publication, Abe will be giving lectures over the weekend and will be demonstrating traditional Japanese sword polishing techniques throughout the day at the Cyberbudo stand.

Paul Martin