![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
The armory in leeds was a place that I had to go. I know that there are some who will say that there is something morbid about a facination with weaponry. I know that it is indicative of a culture that thinks of violence as an option always. And I know they are probably right. This does not change anything.
I have been facinated with older weaponry for years. It is the story involved I suppose, that and the simple and sometimes beautiful design involved. I defy any one to look at a Katana and not see the craftsmanship involved. There was a time when owning a blade was a sign of a noble man or a rich mearchant. They were designed with a certain ammount of esthetic apeal as well as deadly requirements.
The armory is 5 story's tall. It is huge with a long window at the front. On one side a banner announces that the elephant was the first armored vehicle. It has a picture of an elephant in armor with armored rider.
Inside you have different sections. The biggest is the war section. It takes up 2 floors by it's self. Cannon to rifles to crossbows to swords to spears, it is all here. I saw things I have heard oif but never seen before, like the La Matt. It is a revolver, 41. calbur with 7 shots. It also has an 18 gauge shotgun under the barrel. It was bigger and more rounded than I thought.
Upstairs there is the personal protection exhibit. Here there are a lot of rapiers and pistols. Exhibits concerning police and their tools over the years.
The hunting exhibit was interesting. lots of shotguns and crossbows. Spears and mock up of someone hunting from elephant back.
The asian weapons exhibit was lovely as well. Here was our elephant again. And horse men in chineese and japaneese dress. There was a detail breakdown on the manufacture of the katana. And videos played of zen archery. In the middle of it is the great contradiction of asia but japan in particular. In this room field with instruments of death was a simple austere tea house for the performance of the tea ceremony. A place of peace in a building celebrating conflict.
The drive back to moms place was long and rocking in her beat up car. I slept on the way back. I dreamed of blades and guns, of practicing for for fights I dont really want have mearly to know I could, and I dreamed of moments of peace. If you have not had a cup of tea and a moment of silent contemplation, I recomend it highly. Things make more sence afterwards.
Usually
TechNoir
I have been facinated with older weaponry for years. It is the story involved I suppose, that and the simple and sometimes beautiful design involved. I defy any one to look at a Katana and not see the craftsmanship involved. There was a time when owning a blade was a sign of a noble man or a rich mearchant. They were designed with a certain ammount of esthetic apeal as well as deadly requirements.
The armory is 5 story's tall. It is huge with a long window at the front. On one side a banner announces that the elephant was the first armored vehicle. It has a picture of an elephant in armor with armored rider.
Inside you have different sections. The biggest is the war section. It takes up 2 floors by it's self. Cannon to rifles to crossbows to swords to spears, it is all here. I saw things I have heard oif but never seen before, like the La Matt. It is a revolver, 41. calbur with 7 shots. It also has an 18 gauge shotgun under the barrel. It was bigger and more rounded than I thought.
Upstairs there is the personal protection exhibit. Here there are a lot of rapiers and pistols. Exhibits concerning police and their tools over the years.
The hunting exhibit was interesting. lots of shotguns and crossbows. Spears and mock up of someone hunting from elephant back.
The asian weapons exhibit was lovely as well. Here was our elephant again. And horse men in chineese and japaneese dress. There was a detail breakdown on the manufacture of the katana. And videos played of zen archery. In the middle of it is the great contradiction of asia but japan in particular. In this room field with instruments of death was a simple austere tea house for the performance of the tea ceremony. A place of peace in a building celebrating conflict.
The drive back to moms place was long and rocking in her beat up car. I slept on the way back. I dreamed of blades and guns, of practicing for for fights I dont really want have mearly to know I could, and I dreamed of moments of peace. If you have not had a cup of tea and a moment of silent contemplation, I recomend it highly. Things make more sence afterwards.
Usually
TechNoir
Tags: