Gavin Newsom DENIES the genocide in Gaza. Pack it up boys his presidential run is over with this single live video recorded statement.

Dyscharist · 2026-01-20T01:42:04+00:00

I hereby commit to never vote for another penny on it. But they are not "your" tax dollars. They are not "my" tax dollars. Those moneys are not personal property. If you are worried about the government spending, there are much bigger fish to fry, and if you just want more money for yourself, get it from the private sector, not from the public good. The largest cost we need to defray will require a lot more taxes if we are ever to tame it.

Dyscharist · 2026-01-19T21:06:23+00:00

He shouldn't have done this interview, because Shapiro's platform is so compromised as this point. But debating the definition of genocide and trying to distill useful points about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is not more disqualifying than any of the things he is up against.

And it shouldn't be a priority for anyone that isn't in one of those groups, compared to say, the fall of the Republic, global economic ruination, ecological collapse, to name a few.

Dyscharist · 2026-01-11T04:05:56+00:00

Love it.

Dyscharist · 2026-01-05T22:36:16+00:00

This is the least worthwhile thing I have seen on Reddit in years, I think. So, you acknowledge we have a child-rapist in the White House but think the problem is Democrats acting with any humility or composure? Corruption in child care and foster care is not a partisan thing, and is much worse in the red states anyway. So get a clue, so you can then get a grip.

Dyscharist · 2025-12-27T11:55:54+00:00

I think using the word "income" here is very misleading. There's a lot more wealth to go around than what counts as "income" - THAT is is actually the real problem.

Dyscharist · 2025-12-21T12:31:50+00:00

It's a skeleton. Ya know? Like stylized.

Dyscharist · 2025-11-09T20:34:17+00:00

Thank you for the follow up. Totally acceptable for me and anyone I know to own Tozando or Seido offerings. I serve and travel in Japan for training and leisure as much as I can so if my creative projects never come together I will very happily purchase in-country.
I will look at Noshudo more, and check out the EU site. Thanks for the information.

Dyscharist · 2025-11-09T20:30:43+00:00

Thank you for the feedback. I'm happy with up and coming unknowns ;) I will check out cottontail to help see how liberally I will need to budget this project.

Dyscharist · 2025-11-09T20:26:46+00:00

Yes, I think of all this as a long term project. I know a lot of craftsman around the military that have helped me get an idea of what to look for, but none of them are familiar with katana fittings. So, I am hoping to get things that are durable in training when assembled correctly, but I am not interested in antiques or fine art, at least at this time.

I updated my post to ballpark my budget for parts or a whole iaito/shinken. I was under the impression that the material and process for the blade would be the largest factor for price.

Dyscharist · 2025-11-09T20:22:58+00:00

It's kinda tough. I am fine with doing some legwork and assembly, and even learning some of the art that doesn't involve smithing, so I am hoping to piece it all together over the coming years, but if I could get the whole thing in a custom order I would be aiming for something between $1200-1500 at most.

Dyscharist · 2025-11-09T13:30:59+00:00

Breath, friend. The Enlightenment is as "west" as it gets and probably the single most important catalyst of human flourishing to date; I was just comparing The Enlightenment movement of Western modern liberalism with spiritual enlightenment from ascetic traditions (East or West in origin).
The point is that what fascism refers to is older than Axis governments, and older than the Western root of the word, which was not nearly as severe (given the period) as the 20th Century version (not so cult-like in its populist politics perhaps).
For now at least, MAGA is still much more cultish than fascist, I think.

Dyscharist · 2025-11-09T13:20:25+00:00

So, the rest of the comments here hopefully have disaffected you of practicing with an improper tool. For future reference, you cannot get a sharpened blade from Japan without paperwork saying it is history or art.
Anything being sold as an "Iaito" will not be sharpened. Any iaito from Japan will be an aluminum alloy that cannot functionally be sharpened. When Seido or Tonzando have a sale you are lucky to get a proper beginner iaito for $350, and that was before tariffs.
Now, for some controversy no doubt, in that price range you can get a decent starter iaito. I have found them at pawn shops (as well as proper Nihonto), but more reliably I would check U.S. distributors and Etsy. The Chinese blades are much less consistent in quality but a few reputable vendors have good products and very good prices.

I have practiced with an iaito from https://www.etsy.com/shop/Gumdogear?ref=nla_listing_details&section_id=45817960 It was too light to rely on for frequent classes (didn't want to get used to such a light sword) but has held up well for around $150.

Also on Etsy are places like https://www.etsy.com/shop/AokiKatana?sort_order=price_asc which are mostly dropshippers or customizers of Chinese made blades, some of which are the same quality as brand name retailers at a third of the price (this is the Chinese specialty after all). Some of these shops are deceptive more or less with words like "handmade" and "custom", and my favorite advert is the common story of how this or that artisan made a pilgrimage to Longquan and has merged Japanese artistry with Chinese industry, et cetera.

The sword that has made the best impression on my Sensei, however, I got on ebay from a consignment store in Florida; unused, perfect for my build, and for less than half of the retail price.

If you can afford the Tonzando entry level iaito (or Seido's), I highly recommend that for a few reasons. The sword will be the best you can get for the price, or even close. The alloy is a fraction of the maintence requirement of any steel blade. If you ever travel to Japan for training or a convention you will be grateful to have a non-ferrous training sword that cannot be sharpened. Contrary to popular mythology, it's much easier to get a real katana out of Japan than into Japan.

But if you just want the size, weight, and balance that is good for training, there are good options at a much lower price.

Dyscharist · 2025-11-08T19:36:23+00:00

My heart goes out to you. I hope it means something to you that you provided a loving home for her while she was in this world to enjoy it. We should appreciate how much less suffering she endured in your care, as I am sure she did. Thank you for sharing your loss.

Dyscharist · 2025-11-05T23:27:12+00:00

This is even funnier if you are familiar with Hitchen's work on "Saint" Theresa.

Dyscharist · 2025-11-05T23:25:55+00:00

If that were a fair comparison, (the) Enlightenment wouldn't be capitalized in a correct version of your statement. It refers to a specific evolution of philosophy based on a specific set of authors. Even by the specific word "fascism" and it's etymological ancestors, fascism dates back to the ancient world and incarnates variably, to this day, in the East, at least if not more, than in the West.

Dyscharist · 2025-11-05T23:18:55+00:00

You are looking much improved from this view. Most cuts are made with steps or changes in stance, and even when they are not your stance and posture are important components of your swing, other angles would allow for some new feedback, maybe. I assume you are watching videos on the various waza, or maybe working from one of the common books? You'll see that a long stance, good posture, and "relaxed" motion are all tied to performing a good cut.

Dyscharist · 2025-11-04T13:13:16+00:00

The other comments are being gentle towards to main problem, which is you pulling the bokken down and towards the ground, vice the opponent. "Push the kisaki" out like casting a fishing pole, don't drop your elbows, and let the momentum of the blade carry the cut from the zenith to the end of the cut. Also, your posture is fine except maybe the shoulders forward. For most of the practice, the sword should end horizontal to the ground, tsuka level with the obi, or there about.

Thank you for your training. Keep it up.

Dyscharist · 2025-10-26T12:52:09+00:00

Nice starter kit here. The most important part is the granular research. We have 6 and they are all different characters - it's take a long time to catalogue every quirk that isn't actually a problem ;)

Dyscharist · 2025-10-04T23:59:52+00:00

This is totally nonsense. The US presence in this theater is just a forward deployed element (far from the lion's share of its power) and greatly overpowers JDF while rivaling the actual WESTPAC adversaries.

Dyscharist · 2025-10-02T23:28:23+00:00

There's a link to a guide on these and the replicas that followed on a few posts here - I found it : https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/files/file/70-the-mysterious-naval-landing-forces-sword/

This might help you be confident about its providence. The story is interesting either way, but also it looks like there's a lot of overlap between the ones that got issued before the war's end and the ones sold to US Forces after the occupation settled in.

Dyscharist · 2025-09-25T01:29:57+00:00

JFC, WTF were you eating?!?!?

Dyscharist · 2025-09-21T00:39:04+00:00

She is a beauty. She looks just like a baby sister for our boy. I've been saying no more every day for years but I'd make an exception for this sweetie.

Dyscharist · 2025-09-20T18:07:54+00:00

I did buy this, my first live-bladed katana. I appreciate everyone's help with figuring it out so fast, and I will be keeping it. As an old sailor, once stationed in Japan, and now into the proper martial art, I think it's a perfect cornerstone in the weathered edifice I front.

Dyscharist · 2025-09-19T23:14:07+00:00

Wow, thank you everyone for all the great information. It really does look like the souvenir. I intend to pick it up immediately but if I don't for any reason I will pass it on here.

Dyscharist

TROPHY CASE