Posts Tagged ‘japan’

Short Sword Scabbard

Short Sword Scabbard

Several months ago, the CPSC released interim guidance on the identification of Chinese drywall. The CPSC itself admits that further development of an identification protocol is necessary. Let's take a quick look at the steps recommended by the CPSC.

The first step calls for an evaluation of the symptoms of corrosion as caused by Chinese drywall in the home. Certainly, many of the homes that contain Chinese drywall also show signs of Corrosion. On the other hand, many of the homes do not. In the SAME document, the CPSC also says: "Homes may also be misclassified as having no drywall problem due to the absence of characteristics found to be typical in the limited testing to date. Given these limitations, additional work will continue to validate these methods and the identification guidance will be modified as necessary."

So, now we have established that a prerequisite to further testing is evidence of corrosion, but this corrosion may or may not be present in all homes that are affected by Chinese drywall.

Although they don't come out and say it, it seems to me that the CPSC's recommendations are directed at those who already own homes that they suspect may be affected. If I owned a home that I thought may contain Chinese drywall, I would certainly start with a visual check for Chinese sheet rock. Assuming that no one had experienced adverse health issues, a negative check for visual symptoms would likely be the end of the inspection. If the Chinese drywall is not currently causing any issues, why would it matter?

What's the old adage - If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Something along those lines. As someone who owns the home, the loss has already occurred. There is no more protecting you or your family financially.

Now, if I were considering the purchase of a new home, the absence of visible corrosion would not even begin to give me peace of mind. In this situation, I would be looking for a way to protect myself from entering into a situation that would cause the loss. I would want a guarantee that the home I am considering does not contain Chinese dry wall. If the home did not contain corrosion, it would pass the CPSC's guidance. Would the CPSC then reimburse me for my losses if the home later ended up containing Chinese drywall? I think we all know the answer to that one.

Someone considering the purchase of a new home should be looking for a more comprehensive/guaranteed testing options. If the home is cleared by this test and later found to contain Chinese drywall, the associated insurance would cover the losses.

Similarly, if my family was experiencing health problems that could be associated with Chinese wallboard, I would continue on in spite of the absence of corrosion. I would want to know without a shadow of a doubt whether or not my home contained Chinese drywall. Of course, if my builder were repairing homes affected or there was another pressing reason to obtain more quantitative evidence, I would commission a full sampling of my home as well.

The CPSC guidance was better than nothing, but only for people who already own the home they are concerned about. In my experience, it just confuses people who are considering the purchase of a home. Potential buyers need a guarantee that the home they are considering does not contain Chinese drywall.

Certified Chinese Drywall Testing, LLC
877-399-2238

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Japanese Samurai

'Samurai' relying on beef liver
GEORGE (South Africa) - BEEF liver in their meals is helping Japan's World Cup squad prepare for matches at high altitude in South Africa.

If you're into sword collecting, Samurai swords will make an amazing addition to your display. Though these collectibles aren't cheap, they can provide years of enjoyment and help you build a valuable collection that can be passed on to your children and theirs.

Samurai swords have been popular among Asian people since the Middle Ages. They typically have a single sharp edge, and in the past were used often in close quarter combat. These were tailored by the most experienced swordsmiths. Swordsmiths used forging and heat treating methods to create high quality swords that were hard enough to retain a sharp edge, but flexible to withstand a direct impact without breaking.

Types

Samurai swords are available in many shapes and sizes. Blade lengths vary as well as the material used for the handle and wrapping. You'll notice hardwood handles, leather wrapping, solid metal guards, etc. that can each add to the look and feel of a sword. Many Samurai blades are made of stainless steel, but you should look for those that have a heat tempered finish. High carbon steel blades are also popular.

Some collectibles to consider are Kill Bill, Last Samurai Japanese Katana, 40-inch Red Kendo Wooden Bokken Practice, Dragon Samurai set, or the handmade practical Musashi Samurai Katana. These are reasonably priced if you buy online, but do offer fine quality and beauty that will enhance your display area.

Tips on Collections

If you're new to collection, first understand that this is not a cheap hobby. Samurai swords and other types can cost anywhere from $20 to $100 each or more (for antiques). Start slow and gradually build your collection. Choose your swords wisely and buy one or two at a time to ensure you're getting what you want for your collection. Buying them online can be beneficial, especially if you live in an area where there are very few stores or dealers that sell collectibles. Many online retailers offer a vast selection at reasonable prices. Just be sure to read reviews and research the sword before buying.

Once you obtain a few, you might consider displaying them in a protective case in your home. This will serve several purposes. One, it will protect your swords from damage and possibly rust (as long as the storage area is kept dry). Two, this protects your family members and guests from harming themselves or others. Children should be kept away except when supervised by an adult. Samurai swords are very sharp! Third, keeping your collection locked in a secure area will protect it from theft if your house is ever burglarized. You'll also want to check with your insurance provider to be sure the collection is protected under your homeowner's policy if stolen or damaged by fire.

As you shop for Samurai swords, you might also consider other types of swords for your collection. Many online stores or collectible shops carry a number of swords, including medieval, fantasy, Japanese, etc. If you're into movie and video game collectibles, you'll find many movie, anime, and video game swords, and even Star Wars light sabers!

If you're not sure where to start, check out online sites offering swords for sale to see if historical information about Samurai swords and others is available. Some sites offer a bit of information about each type offered for sale. You can also speak with other collectors or read collector's magazines. Samurai sword collection is a fine hobby that will amaze all your guests. Use these ideas to find quality swords today!

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.
Learn more about Samurai Swords.

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Japanese Vietnam War

Heritage Palms pro records first ace, ends grief
Where: Pelican Bay, Naples, Pelican No. 3, 163 yards, 8-iron

The far east has always been known for its simple spiritualism. Methods of meditation and quiet reflection help to center the inner self and reawaken that sense of calm that is lost during the hectic schedule of today's society. There are ways to find this peaceful solution and it can be done in one weekend.

Wouldn't you like to build a place of solitude in your own back yard as a place of escape, where the days events just seem to melt away? Even friends and family can be safely excluded as you seek refuge from the stress brought on by events mainly out of your control. This is extremely important in order to find that peaceful existence -- if only for a short while.

A good solution to your problem is creating a unique sanctuary on your property that harkens back to the original gardens of Japan. This is one of the founding tenets that were used to restore harmony to an individual's psyche. By combining a quiet place with thoughtful reflection, it was found to relax the soul and bring the positive feeling that are a beneficial part of emotional health.

This restoration can be accomplished in as little as 20 minutes each day with your own Japanese garden. With the right combination of plants, stones and flowing water, this small preserve can make a major impact on maintaining a sense of order in your life. By following the link below, you can find out more information on this subject.

This is one project that you will be happy to begin and hate to see end, but the benefits are extraordinary.

Want to build your own Japanese Garden in only one weekend? Find out the secrets to getting the right combination of plants and materials by visiting PEACEFUL JAPANESE GARDENS

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Sword Katana

E3 2010: Metal Gear Solid: Rising may use Kinect/Move, plus more details revealed
Our good friends at First Play sat in and filmed a round table interview with MGS: Rising director Mineshi Kimura last week. There were loads of juicy details revealed in the discussion, which not only explain crucial parts of the trailer, but also how the game fits into the Metal Gear mythology.

Swords first appeared in Japan in 240 - 280 A.D. when China sent two double-edged tsurugi swords as gifts to Queen Himeko.  It is unknown for sure, but it is generally believed the art of forging steel into swords spread from China to Japan sometime during the third and fourth centuries.  Straight, single-edged swords called chokuto have been found dating to the fifth century.  More advanced hardening methods during the forging process developed during the sixth century.

Around the eight century swords became curved to help accommodate fighting on horseback.  These early swords were called tachi, and were characterized by a long, curved, single-edged blade.  Two common types of tachi during this period were the kogarasumaru and kenukigatatachi.  The tachi reigned supreme as the weapon of choice in Japan from the eighth to twelfth century.  During this time the practice of using soft steel for the inner core and harder steel for the outer surface and blade became common.  It became customary for the sword smith to sign the blade.  The oldest blade with a sword smith's signature is by Sanjo Munechika.

During the thirteenth century samurai used tachi and other weapons to fight off invading Mongols.  During these invasions it became apparent the tip of the tachi was too easily broken and difficult, if not impossible, to repair.  Designs of later swords would be influenced by this fact.  During the fourteenth century longer swords, around 120-150cm, were created.  The long swords were good for delivering devastating blows, but they were not quick to draw.  In the fifteenth century swords were shortened to around 70cm to accommodate quicker draw times.  These swords were called uchigatana.

During the sixteenth century swords became even shorter, averaging 60-65cm, to facilitate increased portability.  These swords are called katana, and were carried with the blade facing upward so that a deadly strike could be carried out while drawing the sword.  In contrast, the katana's predecessor, the tachi, was carried with the blade facing downward.  During this period the use of katana was at its height in Japan as firearms had not been introduced to Japan yet.

When the Portuguese brought firearms to Japan in 1543 Japanese warlords knew the strategy of warfare would be dramatically altered.  Standing armies were trained and equipped with muzzle-loading firearms.  Although firearms were more effective in battle, samurai still carried their daisho, a long and a short sword, as a sign of their class.  This custom ended in 1868 when Emperor Meiji outlawed the right of samurai to carry weapons.  A further blow to samurai swords came when they were made illegal during the occupation of the Allied forces after World War II.  Today many swords classified as national treasures are still missing.

Alton Trevino lives in Japan and enjoys writing about Japanese history and culture. Please visit the following pages to learn more about the history of Japan and life in ancient Japan.

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Warrior Sword

Hero of Sparta Review
Hero of Sparta (DSi) The adventure of Argos, again, in a fourth different version.

So you want to roll up a new Alliance warrior, or maybe you're taking advantage of the new Race Change feature, and you want to make sure you have the best racials available? Well, this guide is here to help you determine which Allied race is best for your purposes, whether you want to Tank, DPS, or are just looking for the best race for PvP.

First up is Human. For DPS, humans have extra expertise with both swords and maces. Every Man for Himself can be handy for Tanking when facing enemies who CC you, but where it really shines is PvP, where it frees up a Trinket slot; considering how powerful the burst provided by trinkets is, this is a massive bonus for any PvP Warrior. Perception is also handy, although with the large number of stealth-improving talents and enchants, you typically won't be able to catch stealthers.

Next up is Dwarf. DPS Dwarves wielding maces will deal more damage thanks to their extra 5 expertise-more than humans get, but limited to maces only. For Tanking, Stoneform can be a great emergency button, giving a temporary armor boost and removing a large number of debuffs and DoTs. PvP Dwarves benefit from both of these things, gaining in both survivability and damage. Their Frost resistance can also help with mages and shaman.

Third to plate is gnome. Gnomes lack beneficial talents for DPS, and Escape Artist, while not useless for Tanking or PvP, is weak in comparison to other on-use racials such as Every Man or Stoneform. PvP gnomes also have an extra 2% arcane resistance, which is useful against mages.

Night Elves, like gnomes, lack any beneficial racials for DPSing, but as Tanks they excel, bringing an extra 2% avoidance to physical attacks and Nature spells. This also helps them in PvP, alongside their ability to Shadowmeld.

Finally we have Draenei. For DPS, Tanking, and PvP, Heroic Presence is a great boon, reducing the amount of Hit you and your party need to stack by 1%. Unfortunately it doesn't stack, so it is a waste if you are not the only Draenei around. Gift of the Naaru can be a decent emergency heal too, and is equally handy for Tanking, DPS, and PvP, although generally if a Tank needs to heal himself things are going badly. Their extra Shadow Resistance is also a nice bonus when facing Warlocks and Priests in PvP.

So what does all of this mean? Well, for DPS your best choice is Draenei. That extra 1% hit is the best DPS gain of the options, AND benefits your party as well. For Tanking, Night Elf's extra avoidance puts it at the top of the list. And for PvP, Human is pretty much unmatched thanks to Every Man for Himself.

If you're interested in reading more articles by the author, check out WoW Gold Spot for information for everything WoW related. To read something about warriors in particular, check out this farming guide for Warrior Gold.

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Kinfolk Bowie Knife

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Military Knives

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Knife Leather Scabbard

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