Hello from Bonny Scotland :-)

[Makar]

I came to find out a bit more about a kamon on an old urushi boxed razor set that I have but I'll hang around too I have a few things that are Japanese influencers - I practice Laido. I have many fountain pens and particularly those from Japan (Italian pens look lovely but are temperamental, German ones work brilliantly but are boring, Japanese ones have both function and flair ) and my car is a Honda . I'm nearly native with that lot...
All the best from the sunny Highlands
Stephen

 

[mdchachi]

Welcome. Make yourself at home.

 

[Grandpa Frank]

Welcome Stephen ! Glad you found us. My father-in-law was from Scotland. He was in the Black Watch for 20 years and could tell some great stories. He passed away many years ago , but left me with fond memories of Scotland. Hope you hang around.

 

[Makar]

The Black Watch are normally based at Fort George, just 10 miles away from where I live near Inverness. There are plenty great story tellers or 'Makars' up here in Scotland - but we can all spin a tale of course I'm originally from Ayr in the south west - as Rabbie Burns, our national Bard, said, 'Auld Ayr where naer a toon surpasses for honest men and bonnie lassies'. We gradually live off of our memories as we age - got to keep making them so I don't get hungry later on!! Thanks for the welcome

 

[thomas]

Welcome to the forum, Stephen!

 

[nice gaijin]

Greetings and welcome! What form of iaido do you practice? I'm a karateka myself and dabble in other martial arts but don't play with blades much.

As an aside, I've recently been watching the youtube channel Fandabi Dozi, who wanders the highlands and recreates the experience of his ancestors with traditional materials and tools, very cool! Would be really interesting to see something similar for Japan, walking the Tokaido or temple pilgrimages with traditional materials and technology.

 

[Lothor]

Welcome to the forum from Sassenach Lothor. One of the best holidays I ever had was cycling from Leeds (where I was living at the time) to John o' Groats, and the best part of that was heading through the Highlands.

 

[Makar]

I practice ZNKR seitei laido. We have a highly experienced Sensei in Inverness. My ankles and toes do not allow me to do the full kneeling practice so I do it standing. I love the detail and mindful movement involved.