Col. Hartley and Fujimura have known each other for seven years. "I first met him when I flew into Iwakuni on a visit," the colonel explained last week before he left Iwakuni again. "I was an amateur then and Mr. Fujimura was already a noted swordsmith. But he welcomed me as if I were a colleague. I've learned a lot from the old gentleman, especially this last year."

During the past year Col. Hartley was comptroller for the 1st Wing. He is now enroute to his new job on the staff of the Naval War College in Newport, R.I. But he plans to return to Iwakuni someday, to spend more hours in the combination home and shop of the 73-year-old artist.

"Really Hooked." Col. Hartley became interested in Japanese swords 10 years ago... "after I'd read a book describing rare swords, then almost immediately spotted one in a store in Washington, D.C."

Out of the first 10 swords the colonel collected, six were rarities sought by sword fanciers for years...an astonishing start for a neophyte.

"I really got hooked then," understated the colonel. By "hooked" he meant that he began researching the nuances of sword collecting. "I found that the research -- getting ancient transcripts, collectors' studies, etc. -- was almost as expensive as getting the swords, " Col. Hartley added.

But the research cost was refunded in a number of ways. The colonel's reputation as a collector caused him to be elected president last year of the Nanka Token Kai (Southern Sword Society) in Los Angeles. He also belongs to the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai (Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords) and the Japanese Sword Society of the United States.

"I've never bought a sword from Mr. Fujimura," Col. Hartley said. "Ours isn't a retail association. I respect his craftsmanship and adherence to the old ways. That's why I selected him to be an advisor to the Nanka Token Kai."

There is one "adherence to the old ways" which Fujimura doesn't abide by, however. In medieval days, every sword was tested and the results inlaid in gold on the blade's tang, which is set into the grip. The cutting test was made, more often than not, against human bodies. Col. Hartley owns a sword which, hundreds of years ago, sliced through seven bodies in a single stroke!

Today's cutting tests are more humane. If body texture is desired by a testing supervisor (who is never the swordsmith), he uses specially prepared manikins.

Which seems to please everyone concerned.