Two Great Exhibits To See in SF!

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We even went across the street to take a pic of a familiar staircase:

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Wow, guys, cool pics! Thanks for sharing them with us!

But, Matt, why so serious??

Dale, Nice helmet!!

LOL I just read this now and I just got back from exhibit! Actually I'm glad I didn't read this cos I totally busted a nut seeing the ACTUAL Book of Five Rings... which I didn't know would be on display. OMG you have no idea how awesome that is to me... even though it's not the orginal from Miyamoto Musashi himself (since it has been lost or destroyed over time) it was transcribed directly from the orginal word for word by one of his followers. For me who's actually read the book AND has studied Nitou Ryu Kenjitsu... that is like seeing the original holy bible. I'm so inspired now to take my kenjitsu to the next level. Yes, I did say I READ, in this case I'm proud to admit I have two copies of The Book of Five Rings among others concerning bushido and such. lol

The swords they have in the store are a cut above what's out there but they aren't master works created from tanahagane or folded authentically AND they are WAY over priced. The katanas displayed in the exhibit however are so beautiful, authentic temper, full tang, inscribed at the tang by the maker, and utterly razor sharp from armored piercing point to the base where the blade collar is above the tsuba (guard). If I ever end up like Tony Stark I'm so getting five. lol... It was funny that they were selling bokens (wooden practice swords) at the store for $35... You can get them on Ebay for less than $20. I was thinking of carring my own into the museum but then opted not to freak the old security guys out. haha...

Oh yeah... it said no photography allowed BUT I DON'T CARE! I had to take some shots! Nikon D90 FTW! =D Will post later.

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In all of kenjitsu, Miyamoto Musashi is considered a legend who won over 68+ death matches. He was the developer and master of Nitou Ryu and wrote "The Book of Five Rings"... He's also known as "Sword Saint" of Japan. This scroll was transcribed from the original scroll written by Musashi himself by one of his follower since the og is presumed lost or destroyed. This is the scroll of "Void", the final "book" in the series. The Book of Five Rings itself is considered the Bible for nihon kenjitsu and a great guide in strategy for war on par with Sun Tzu's "The Art of War".

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The scroll of Earth!

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The scrolls of Wind, Fire, and Water!!! omg omg omg... I need a cigarette...

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Shiny!!! I want!

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Very sexy wakizashi...

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So beautiful... I wanna cry...

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Daisho, katana and wakizashi...

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Tachi are the only swords placed and worn upside down. Let's get that straight right now...
Mainly used for ceremonial purposes.

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Someday soon... when I hit Tony Stark status I'm getting like a bunch of these...

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Tsuba

Did you buy anything in the gift shop, Ming?

Rob, did you end up using your tickets?

I just finished season 3 of Avatar: The Last Air bender.

seeing the wind, water fire, earth scroll pictures you posted reminded me of that

Negative on the gift shop. Everything in there is at least 2X overpriced. I know where to get the same things for way cheaper. For example... Bokken (the wooden swords) they were selling was $35+tax... The exact same bokken can be found for less than $20... In some cases around $10. Ridiculous mark up for tourist and N00Bs who know nothing about kenjitsu.

Although I did find it hilarious that the had bokkens for sale in an art museum. Imagine a group of school kids running around the museum with sticks meant to be swung in their hands with priceless pieces of art all around them. Wtg Asian Art Museum.

Don't mix the Book of Five Rings with the dribble of that series Blu Ray... lol That's like saying Naruto is a deep and meaningful reflection on ninjitsu. I've seen the whole of Naruto and there hasn't been one actual ninja anything! lol...

I was thinking of maybe getting the book on the exhibit, or maybe the small poster or mug, as a memento. I did that with the Tut exhibition in LA.

I condidered getting the mini-swords by the register as maybe a letter opener, until I realized: 1) they were very sharp, and 2) they were $120!

Chinatown: Same mini sword letter opener made from Taiwan... $40 or less... and dude... they're SUPPOSE TO BE SHARP. lol A sharpened katana blade is the soul of a samurai... to have anything less is a disgrace.

You're prob better off with something that's specific to the exhibit itself like that book you saw.

Just bumping to see if there's interest to see Tut. I wouldn't mind seeing it again.

Anyone want to go before it ends this month? I'll proably get discount tickets at Costco.

Hm. I might be interested in going. It will depend to a large degree on what time I have free and scheduling. It's over at the end of march? How much were the tickets at costco... I think I remeber it being $25?

When were you thinking of going?

Yeah, Costco tickets were about that much, and that includes the audio tour. Howver, I didn't see them offered at the Costco I went to today. If I still go, I'd go whenever anyone else wants to.

I'm probably going to check out the Batman exhibit next week at the Cartoon Art Museum too.

Yeah, I checked the costco in my area, and they didn't have them either. I wonder if you could order them from costco online? I'll check it out later.