The Woodbranch Tsuba

c- The viewing of the Cicada Tsuba which would be imperative to film and photograph.
d- Having the possibility to exchange views with you about the tsuba for a Dao by Cicada Forge which would definitely be another hit for you. Meaning that I would need to know if you could have the Dao with you. Please let me know about this.

This is a sample of the Niu wei Dao (Ox tail Sword) which could receive a round tsuba which would indeed be a very innovative hybrid interpretation in my opinion. 

Sometimes it is advisable to bring up some controversy when innovating. It is also a marketing gimmick as you well know.

e- Discussing details on the Cicada Swords and also the business implementation in SE Asia through me and its start when you come over for the demonstration so that the right type of swords with the right price will be sent by Fred Chen to Macau.
f - Discussing the strategies for launching the products and the more effective ways to do it.

I'm prepared to go with the Sony DCR VX2000 and am taking about three to four photo cameras some with the best Carl Zeiss lenses, one of which a digital camera with close ups so you can have images right away for your website and for other things.

Need to read this carefully. 
I'm a bit concerned with your silence, that is to say, I have not yet received the remaining steps of the documentary script and I sure need to know that you fill the remaining steps which are the polishing steps, as well as the nakago filing marks, the mei that you use (Toshi Hisa), and also the dressing of the blade from Habaki to inserting the mekugi ana, then the tying of the sageo.

I must state that I'm a kind of a compulsive workaholic when I'm motivated and will not rest until everything is done.
So, to really maximize my time of stay and use it in the most productive way, it is important that I can use all possible information from you obtained until the 15th of February through a more intensive emailing preparation period in order to plan and suggest a working schedule that we agree on as well as finding out little important details.

Let's say in quantitative terms ( and please note that I am only telling you this so that you can fully understand my urge for your prompt response ) that what I'm setting up for you is an image and product launching incorporating video, photography, design, article writing, that would cost a client something around a minimum of US$50.000 upwards.
So the quantification that I'm stating here is only, and only to ask you to help me prepare this trip in detail for the good of your project as I dare say I know it will be very very effective. 
I want you to have a product launch that no other smith or production swords ever had before. Because apart from all other qualities you had the vision to see that the future of swords are not in a one to one basis blade smiths' swords but mainly on a high quality, well designed and competitive price production swords. It will also provide Fred Chen with much more confidence and enthusiasm.

Please do not misunderstand me with what I have said above. I need to feel your response to my motivation so that it can be a success.
I have committed myself to this task so it will be done. You know that even if the City Council would not be paying for my trip I would've gone there. I just hope you spend only the necessary time to email me complete replies.

You may perhaps, my dear friend, feel a little overwhelmed or bombarded by my emails and the extra work for you that my presence will signify, but it is important for me to repeat my statement to you. Your human and spiritual qualities have inspired me into putting all my effort in assisting you to obtain wide recognition for you, because you deserve it in everyway. 

I don't do this to just about anyone, but I want you to know that I believe in Meritocracy and apart from the hope that we become great friends,  you remind me of Masamune as opposed to Muramasa, therefore you deserve everything I can do for you. All my life I have been driven by affection and intuition instead of other feelings, so please be sure that a documentary will be made, photographs will be taken, advertisements will be conceived under A STATEMENT IN STEEL, at least one long article will be made on yourself and your swords and another one on the Cicada Forge Swords.

Now to some preparations.

PREPARATORY ITEMS NEEDED FOR PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY
I wonder if you could gather the following items for photography of Cicada Forge different swords, which I hope you will be able to have ready as this is going to be the first of two chances:

1. A tatami for background, preferably one that is more yellow then greenish. Also a piece of matt finished silver colored formica for alternative background.
2. A borrowed bonsai as a decorative item for photography (prop).
3. All Japanese decorative items that you may have, such as a Japanese traditional medicine box Inrio or a Japanese fan, or a Japanese (plastic) lacquer bowl, all these also being decorative items for photography (props).
4. One or two finished tanto to go also as decorative item (prop). 
4. A sturdy tripod and some white cardboard or cheap Styrofoam boards to be used as reflectors.
5. A white bed sheet to be hung by wires, parallel to the ground, so as to act as a light tent in case of harsh sunlight.

However, the main issue is: will you have different production swords like the suggestion I've made in the Business Study I sent you, so that photography can be accomplished?
This is an issue to consider very carefully. Otherwise it will have to be done in Macau so that you can have a full set of pictures that make sense. 

Now this is important in fact because it will determine what I am going to take pictures of, apart from Rick Barrett's own work. I very much urge you to let me know in time. 

In fact my suggestion is that you do keep with you as many finished swords as possible from your clients, swords made by you, as well as Cicada Forge Customized. Do delay their delivery as they are precious documents of your products. This is a great opportunity for you to gather pictures and slides to your portfolio. And we are just about three weeks away. So a little delay will not do a great deal of harm and I'll be able to film you talking about them and describing them as well as taking pictures for the said portfolio and for your website.

Nonetheless, your sword picture at your site does need another picture as this one may be misleading due the the tremendous amount of blue reflection on it.

Another important thing. I need a reply from you, please :
An estimate cost for the demonstration forge construction based on U.S. prices as well as type of equipment you need. I have placed an estimate cost of MOP$10.000 which is about US$1.250...

Another question:
Do you have Microsoft Word or Office Package as well as Photoshop? If yes, please let me know . If no, I'll be more then happy to bring with me a couple of CD-ROMs with Office 2000 as well as Photoshop for you. It'll be my pleasure to make some copies. Jeremy could use the CD-ROMs once installed in your computer. I sure like to meet Jeremy. He is very dedicated to you and I feel he is a fine young man about whom I already mentioned I wanted to talk to you.

Also on a need to know basis:
Is it possible that you pre-prepare the necessary sets of steel combinations so that we can shoot the Power hammer session in Indianapolis in one day? That would surely save time my friend.

I have faxed Holiday Inn at (219) 533-1528 for booking and later spoke to Miss Daisy and left my credit card number with her.
I took the liberty of giving your name and address as reference... Hope you don't mind.

As for my Howard Clark L900, I'm not satisfied with the polish that Fred Lohman provided or perhaps it is my ignorance. This close up picture is not visible at naked eye. I mean, you don't get to see any blade activity that is there, no contrast, all dull. Do you think it could be possible to request your services into clearing the surface, I don't mind acid etching or whatever method that could bring the activity out. This would be a customer service of course. If acceptable, I would ship it to you. Please let me know. I'm not in a hurry to have it back in case you accept, however would like to have it there when I'm with you. 

Well my friend, I guess that's all for now. I hope you can copy and paste this email so you can reply to me thoroughly as needed. I don't intend to disturb you with unnecessary emails. This one I think it is important so that things are set up in order that by the 15th of February we can have a full schedule of how many days we are spending on the documentary, on the swords photography and all other issues mentioned above.

I look forward for your reply as I deem all issues important here.
My warmest regards to you and Mrs. Barrett.

Antonio
Just a little feeling of accomplishment for having been able to make this page by myself.
Macau, Wednesday, February 7 at 2:26 am