Two Japenese Swords at STRATA. The Larger of the Two is a Katana and Was Used in World War 11 and Brought Home by an American Fighting in the War.  Neither Sword is for Sale,

This Book on Samurai Swords, Publiched by Tuttle Publishing, is for Sale at Strata for $44.95.

Any week this fall, Strata, the premier knife seller in northern New England, is expecting to receive the first of multiple Samurai swords shipped from Kyoto, Japan accordng to Evan Atwell, owner of Strata, 67 Washington Avenue, in the former J. J. Nissen building.

The first of the four swords expected to arrive soon, is a Wakizashi, a medium sized sword.  It is a traditionally made sword worn by the Samurai in feudal Japan. It was scheduled to have been sent from Japan at the begnnning of September.  If it actually was sent on schedule, it is unclear,  And how long it will take to get through Customs is an unknown at this time as well. Samurai means – “in service to the ruling class.”

“It’s hard to get swords out of Japan because the government classifies them as both weapons and a cultural icon,” said Atwell recently.

Because it is a weapon, its whereabouts is tightly controlled by the Japanese government.  For example, the Japanese government wants to know that multiple swords are being purchased by Atwell.  “I need to report to the Japanese government when I sell them to anyone,” Atwell said.  Atwell is expecting to receive four of the swords in four different sizes between this fall and next spring.  They will be sold by appontment only.

Japan is undergoing a “shrinking” economy as reported in “The New York Times.” on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.    The article states the reason for the shrinking economy is in part due to an aging population, a falling birthrate,  and “mitigating climate change.”  Atwell is very aware of the economic decline in Japan.  “The yen is very weak right now, so it gives me good buying power.  But also they will raise their prices.  And as the yen struggles, costs will be more expensive.”  He said that most prices have gone up 20% in this past year.  Although about 75% of his inventory comes from Japan, he says the future of Japan’s economy is reason he also purchases from England and Germany.  “The future for the long-term Japanese economy is not good.”

Strata is also recognized for its large inventory of diverse cookbooks, glassware and other dining and kitchen accessories for the discerning hostess.

A samauri message on the impermanence of all things says:  “the color of the sala flowers reveals the truth that the prosperous must deciine.  The proud do not endure, they are like a dream on a spring night;  the mighty fall at last, they are as dust before the wind,” from “A History of the Samurai Legendary Warriers of Japan,” by Jonathan Lopez-Vera.  (Sala flowers are  colorful and short-lived.)

For more background information on Strata, please visit post herein dated February 1, 2019.