Japan Question

[george7]

ばぐぴぷ　Bagupipu appx= Bagpipes

[Tetley]

I think, from the little I recall of Japanese college friends many years ago, that the kilt will be fine, but what will really do it is if you take small, well presented gifts for the hosts. You'd need to ask someone Japanese about this, the embassy suggested by others above is the best bet, but I recall that honouring their traditions in this fashion really impresses them.

As I said, you need to ask a Japanese about it first.

Mark

[Rollo]

Welcome from Normandy

[ThistleDown]

Welcome from Vancouver and Inverness. I suggest you PM CDNSushi. The "extra" value of the forum is the ability to tap cross-culure resources. Do let us know what you discover.

[Shug]

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions and for all the welcomes. Fortunately I still have a bit of time.
Seems that the consensus is to ask CDNSushi. I'll give that try if he doesn't respond here.

@georgeblack7 - what's a "Kiruto"? ............ Duh, Never mind...... after writing in Romaji I got it.

Much appreciate the help.

[Highlander31]

I can't add anything to the above, so I'll just say welcome to the forum.

[unharmed]

My familiarity with Japanese sword culture and related laws comes from 5 years of kendo, iaido and jodo training not direct experience - I don't have a definitive answer for you but I would be very, very surprised if it was allowed to carry a live blade around like that in Japan.

[Phogfan86]

I'd be more concerned with getting the sgian dubh there on a US-based airline than wearing it as part of your outfit in Japan.

[CDNSushi]

Hey everyone... Seems I've been summoned, lol.

Anyway, I did a bit of double-checking to make sure that my own understanding matched what the law says first, but here's the scoop.

Japan is one of those countries where the law sometimes doesn't match the reality.. But anyway, first the law:

Carrying knives (and that would include a sgian dubh obviously) is covered by the Japanese Guns and Knives Control Law that states any knife that is no longer than 15cm with a blade that is 6cm is allowed to be carried under the stipulation that it be concealed and not readily accessible. Most sgians would likely have a longer blade length if we're gonna get picky about it. In addition, due to recent stabbings and injuries caused by double-edged knives, legislators are considering making changes to the legality of owning and carrying such knives but as far as I know, nothing new has been passed yet.

The reality: It is unlikely that you would run into any kind of hitch wearing one... When I attended the Japan Highland Games a few weeks ago, there were many "sgians" to be seen -- well, the sheaths anyway... Even if customs officials or your random cop on patrol saw you, it would be unlikely anything would be said or even noticed. At the same time, I got my Chinese butterfly swords (whose blades are about a foot long) through without a hitch -- I use them in my Wing Chun training -- my see-bok (instructor) wasn't so lucky. They stopped him at the airport, took out a massive magnet and as soon as the steel blade went "ka-chunk" and stuck to the magnet, they shook their heads, said "No way" and confiscated the prize he was bringing back from Hong Kong.

BUT...

Having said that, people have gotten in trouble for a lot less -- there's a well-known incident where a Japanese man carrying a leatherman tool was given a really hard time by a beat cop and actually had it confiscated without cause. He didn't measure the blade length or anything -- he just said, "I don't think there's any reason why you should need to possess such an item." And that was it! End of story. Expensive leatherman gone. That wouldn't be a very nice way to remember a holiday to Japan...

So, I would evaluate the pros & cons. Personally, if it were me, I wouldn't take the risk -- I'd get a faux-sgian or one that is a bottle opener, but that's just my two bits. Even though the knife law is seldom enforced, much less enforced dutifully, it's a bit of a hot issue right now due to the recent stabbing incident (in Akihabara, Tokyo) and a few other "copycat" incidents, mostly involving double-edged blades. Therefore, if the authorities are NOT feeling magnanamous the day they see you with it, they are far less likely to be lenient or forgiving then they may have been a year ago.

Most Japanese wouldn't know a sgian (or the reason for having one) to save their lives so the question becomes - who are you wearing it for? Sorry, I didn't want to make this into a big, long issue in response to a simple question but sometimes in the Far East, the answer isn't always simple. I hope this helps somehow.

Cheers,

JD

[Shug]

^ Thanks JD, that is exactly what I was looking for. I really appreciate your taking the time to check into this and for explaining.
The fact that there is even a remote possibility of the Sgian being an issue makes the choice simple; fake one it is.
I ordered one yesterday anyway, just in case.
I will take the real one with me though, it may make a nice gift.