<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=22322.msg902246#msg902246">Quote from: Haibane on 27-10-2008, 23:37:13</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">EDIT: Akiko: Wow. Are katana carried openly in Japan like that? Isn't that illegal? That's a seriously dangerous weapon. I can't believe that's lawful!</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>No, old nobility still in possession of a family heirloom katana are permitted to carry them. And, of course, members of the royal family. It is not commonly practiced any longer by said nobility, at least not by the younger generations. The older generations still have pride in their family and house, and carry to display that pride and honour.<br/><br/>Women very rarely inherit these weapons, except in cases of no male heirs existing. I'm doubting Akiko should be so lucky, even as she has no male brethren, no known living uncles, cousins, etc.<br/><br/>In fact, noble-bred members of the Yakuza carry theirs on occasion.