GIFU, Japan -- With 800 years of sword-making tradition, the city of Seki in Japan's Gifu prefecture is tapping its claim to fame to attract more foreign tourists.
At the end of January, three foreigners visited Nosyudo, which produces, sells and repairs swords used in iaido, a technique that involves the swift and precise drawing of a blade to strike an opponent. The visitors learned the process used by the swordsmiths and got to try the sword-drawing technique themselves -- but with a mock blade. They struggled with the etiquette at times, but ended the visit satisfied.
