Ahhh, all things Japanese!!! - look forward in future forum participation,
Annual pilgramage to Japan in 2004, to further studies in Nihonto (swords)- was able to attend to Dai-Token-Ichi in October @ Tokyo Bijutsu Club and also to Kyoto - Kiyomizu Sannenzaka museum, for viewing of Sword fittings (Tsuba, Kozuka, Menuki, Kogai) also a lot of Sake tasting in Takayama.
Welcome to the fora, Katanagari! That name suits you very well. At first when I saw it I though "Katanagari no Chou" from Rurouni Kenshin, but I guess you weren't alluding to that after all. Anyway, enjoy your stay with us!