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Thatās some bureaucratic bull pucky you are being made to wade through. In the name of public safety no less, what a waste of resources.Border Force have said that the evidence supplied is not sufficiently substantive for the sword to be restored to the me. Iāve have asked the dealer if they can get the official Japanese government certificate (NBTHK) translated into English to prove itās traditionally made (the Japanese version will have been laminated and supplied with the sword). I have until 20th October to get an appeal in writing to a reviewing officer.
These are the criteria I must satisfy them withā¦
Swords with a curved blade of 50cm or more may be imported where the weapon:
My appeal will be along the lines of the last point, hopefully with a translated NBTHK certificate.
- was made before 1954
- was made by traditional methods of making swords by hand
- is only available for the purposes of use in religious ceremonies or for martial arts
- is for use in a historical re-enactments or sporting activity for example a martial arts demonstration for which public liability insurance is held
Itās not looking goodā¦
There have been some high profile knife crimes including a 14 year old boy who was virtually cut in half by a āsamurai sword wieldingā nutter. I wonder if this is steering the attitude of Border Force with regards this seizure.Thatās some bureaucratic bull pucky you are being made to wade through. In the name of public safety no less, what a waste of resources.
I donāt believe in punishing the innocent for the crimes of others. There is an illusion of safety that these types of laws are intended to create. In my opinion, the effort and resources are better spent on mental health programs and helping the poor. In no case are we ever completely safe.There have been some high profile knife crimes including a 14 year old boy who was virtually cut in half by a āsamurai sword wieldingā nutter. I wonder if this is steering the attitude of Border Force with regards this seizure.
So, the problem has spread to Europe?British governments tend to to be very āknee jerkā in their actions. See a child with a vape: ban vapes. See a fat person wobbling down the street: put taxes on fast foods. See a child staring at her phone for 10 mins: ban mobile phones for the under 10s. See a 14 year old boy sliced up by a dual Brazilian/Spanish national living in London:ā¦well, some reactions might be better than othersā¦
None of that sounds good. Let the fat eat, thatās their business. Let parents decide whatās appropriate for their child, that is parenting. Whatās next? See someone drunk, ban pubs? Bet you wonāt see that one happen. I donāt think you are being fairly treated. Donāt they know who you are?British governments tend to to be very āknee jerkā in their actions. See a child with a vape: ban vapes. See a fat person wobbling down the street: put taxes on fast foods. See a child staring at her phone for 10 mins: ban mobile phones for the under 10s. See a 14 year old boy sliced up by a dual Brazilian/Spanish national living in London:ā¦well, some reactions might be better than othersā¦
A 14yr old was on trial for taking part in the recent riots. His mother decided the date of the trial was a good time to go on holiday to Ibiza!None of that sounds good. Let the fat eat, thatās their business. Let parents decide whatās appropriate for their child, that is parenting.
Alcohol restrictions? Crikey, thatād never happen!Whatās next? See someone drunk, ban pubs? Bet you wonāt see that one happen.
Exactly. Dare ni mukatte mono itten dayo?I donāt think you are being fairly treated. Donāt they know who you are?
I mean if the UK really wants to make people safer they should just ban tobacco and alcohol. That will go a long way farther than banning imported, expensive, exotic, handmade swords.A 14yr old was on trial for taking part in the recent riots. His mother decided the date of the trial was a good time to go on holiday to Ibiza!
Alcohol restrictions? Crikey, thatād never happen!
Exactly. Dare ni mukatte mono itten dayo?
I am so sorry. This is very unfair.Iāve now had a letter from Border Force (BF) saying that I have the option to plead my case in contesting the legality of seizing the sword, in the courts. If the magistrates find in BF favour I will incur not more than Ā£2500 court fees, If I win, I will receive the sword and can ask for reasonable compensation, although this may not be granted.
I know how the courts work. The legal advisor will tell the magistrates that the onus is upon the defendant (me) to prove he has met one or more of the four criteria for restoration of the sword:
1) Has he convincingly shown the sword was made before 1954 OR
2) by traditional methods and by hand? No.
He has only provided a certificate from the sword dealer who sold him the sword and thus has a vested interest saying as much. This is not official and impartial evidence.
3) Has he shown the sword is required for ceremonial/religious purposes? No.
4) Has he convincingly shown the sword is required for historical re-enactments/martial arts demonstrations/training? No.
He is unable to verify the dates of any such future events nor does his association require him to train using a ārealā swordā.
The magistrates will discuss and conclude that I have not met the exemption requirements and the sword should not be restored to me plus theyāll slap on not more than Ā£2500 court fees.
The only possibility is that all genuine Japanese swords receive an appraisal for authenticity (āhandmade with traditional methods using tamahagane steelā) and, if it passes, a certificate from the Nihon Bijutsu TÅken Hozon Kyokai (NBTHK). This is laminated and must be kept with the sword at all times. This certificate will be with my seized sword but is written in Japanese. BF will unlikely have the resources to translate it and Iāve asked the dealer, Tozando, if they can supply a translation. Tozando have been ominous is their lack of response to my request and I will suggest BF translates the NBTHK certificate. But the NBTHK are not a āgovernment organisationā although they self-proclaim to be āhighly trusted for screening and certifying judgement onto Japanese swordsā so why would BF believe their certification, if they could read it, any more than that of the dealers?
I am resigned to the loss of my purchase and itās not insignificant cost.
Thank you, my friend. Iām going to buy a new guitar, instead!I am so sorry. This is very unfair.
I guess axes are an exception to the ban. Good to know.Thank you, my friend. Iām going to buy a new guitar, instead!
Axe is a Bass no?I guess axes are an exception to the ban. Good to know.
Maybe. But, not that Iāve ever heard. Always used as slang for an electric guitar.Axe is a Bass no?