Show us your presents.

[KiltedKnome]

It's amazing....but what is it, exactly, and what do you do with it?

I got very spoiled
[IMG][/IMG]

[Paul]

It's amazing....but what is it, exactly, and what do you do with it?

I believe it is some type of body armour for a Far-Eastern self-defence sport.

[Jordan]

I believe it is some type of body armour for a Far-Eastern self-defence sport.

I would think so from the look of it. Personaly I think its very scary looking and would be worried if i saw someone coming down the street towards me with it

I got a nice Jacket and waistcoat from my mum which i will try to post pics of tommorow

[BEEDEE]

I got very spoiled
[IMG]

It is a samurai armor from Japan. I presume it is a reproduction as originals are extremely expensive.

Brian

[rdjmchris]

No pictures yet, but my wife got me a handcrafted sgain with the assistance of someone on this board. As soon as I get a chance, I'll get a picture uploaded.

[kiltedwolfman]

LOL It is a reproduction of Nobunaga Oda's armour made by Paul Chen. The nice thing is that it is still very wearable which will come in handy as some of the techniques I teach deal with being in armour. This will help me explain things much better to my students.
Here is how it is dsiplayed at present
[IMG][/IMG]

[OC Richard]

LOL It is a reproduction of Nobunaga Oda's armour made by Paul Chen.
Here is how it is dsiplayed at present
[IMG][/IMG]

boy this brings back a memory!

I spent a week in Japan in 2004 on a whirwind tour, playing at four cities (Tokyo, Hiroshima, Osaka, Oita).

The only time we weren't either travelling or performing was early in the morning, and I would go on a walk each morning, exploring the various cities.

Anyhow I walked into a small shop which sold nothing but miniature reproductions of Samurai armour enclosed in plexiglas boxes. These ranged from small boxes containing just a few pieces such as the helmet, breastplate, and sword, to huge elaborate displays of the entire armour suit and a number of weapons. When I got back to our hotel I tried to describe this shop to the Japanese guy who took care of us, and maybe find out what the purpose of it all was, but his English was too limited.

[longhuntr74]

I posted two similar pics in another thread, but here's me in my new "Skye Highland Outfitters John Brown-style sporran, my Young Modern kilt (which I've had since October, but since I just got home from Afghanistan I haven't been able to wear), and some brand new hose and brogues (which have yet to be stripped and polished...still breaking them in!).

[Hamish]

Not wishing to cast a dampener on this thread I'll just say that I receive no Christmas gifts, nor do I give them. Quite a number of years ago, we decided to notify everyone with whom we exchanged presents that we would, from that date, stop giving them and would instead make donations to nominated charities to the value that we might have spent on our family and friends - and hoped that they would do the same.

This was enthusiastically taken up by all concerned and, since being alone, I have continued this practice each year. Not only do the charities benefit, but we individuals are spared the endless heartache of trying to find gifts to suit and which would not be tucked away unusued at the back of drawers/wardrobes for years afterwards!

I would urge others to take similar steps which also go some way towards reducing the obscene over-commercialism of the Festival.

Oooops! That comes across as being a bit soap-boxy - but I mean what I say!

That stated, I trust everyone enjoyed their Christmas Day, hopefully with family or friends, and that we can all look forward to a brilliant Hogmanay and 2010.

Take care,
Ham.

[DougC]

So--Hamish, what was your chairty of choice? My wife and I like Kiva and have had a donation given in our name (and given for others) for the last couple of years. Nice to see them at the top of the page here--not preachy/soap boxy at all...Merry Christmas!