diff --git a/bin/weapon_level.py b/bin/weapon_level.py
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..23283d9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/weapon_level.py
@@ -0,0 +1,102 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python2
+
+import sys
+
+import _pathfix
+
+from mhapi.db import MHDB, MHDBX
+from mhapi.model import get_costs
+
+
+def find_cost_level(db, c):
+    monsters = { "HR": set(), "LR": set() }
+    materials = { "HR": set(), "LR": set() }
+    stars = dict(Village=None, Guild=None, Permit=None, Arena=None)
+    for item in c["components"].keys():
+        if item.startswith("HR ") or item.startswith("LR "):
+            if not item.endswith(" Materials"):
+                print "Error: bad item format '%s'" % item
+            rank = item[:2]
+            item = item[len("HR "):-len(" Materials")]
+            monster = db.get_monster_by_name(item)
+            if monster:
+                monsters[rank].add(monster)
+                #print "Monster", rank, monster.name, monster.id
+            else:
+                materials[rank].add(item)
+                #print "Material", rank, item
+        else:
+            data = db.get_item_by_name(item)
+            current_stars = find_item_level(db, data.id)
+            # keep track of most 'expensive' item
+            for k, v in current_stars.iteritems():
+                if v is None:
+                    continue
+                if stars[k] is None or v > stars[k]:
+                    stars[k] = v
+    return stars
+
+
+def find_item_level(db, item_id):
+    stars = dict(Village=None, Guild=None, Permit=None, Arena=None)
+
+    quests = db.get_item_quests(item_id)
+
+    gathering = db.get_item_gathering(item_id)
+    gather_locations = set()
+    for gather in gathering:
+        gather_locations.add((gather["location_id"], gather["rank"]))
+    for location_id, rank in list(gather_locations):
+        gather_quests = db.get_location_quests(location_id, rank)
+        quests.extend(gather_quests)
+
+    monsters = db.get_item_monsters(item_id)
+    monster_ranks = set()
+    for monster in monsters:
+        monster_ranks.add((monster["monster_id"], monster["rank"]))
+    for monster_id, rank in list(monster_ranks):
+        monster_quests = db.get_monster_quests(monster_id, rank)
+        quests.extend(monster_quests)
+
+    # find least expensive quest for getting the item
+    for quest in quests:
+        if quest.stars == 0:
+            # ignore training quests
+            if "Training" not in quest.name:
+                print "Error: non training quest has 0 stars", \
+                    quest.id, quest.name
+            continue
+        if quest.hub in stars:
+            current = stars[quest.hub]
+            if current is None or quest.stars < current:
+                stars[quest.hub] = quest.stars
+        else:
+            print "Error: unknown hub", quest.hub
+
+    return stars
+
+
+def main():
+    weapon_name = sys.argv[1]
+    db = MHDB(game="gen", include_item_components=True)
+    weapon = db.get_weapon_by_name(weapon_name)
+    if weapon is None:
+        print "Weapon '%s' not found" % weapon_name
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+    costs = get_costs(db, weapon)
+    stars = dict(Village=None, Guild=None, Permit=None, Arena=None)
+    # find least 'expensive' path
+    for c in costs:
+        current_stars = find_cost_level(db, c)
+        for k, v in current_stars.iteritems():
+            if v is None:
+                continue
+            if stars[k] is None or v < stars[k]:
+                stars[k] = v
+    for k, v in stars.iteritems():
+        print k, v
+
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    main()
diff --git a/mhapi/db.py b/mhapi/db.py
index dcbe447..2866ead 100644
--- a/mhapi/db.py
+++ b/mhapi/db.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ class MHDB(object):
     """
     # buy and sell are empty, uses weapon.create_cost and upgrade_cost
     _weapon_select = """
-        SELECT items._id, items.type, items.name, items.name_jp,
+        SELECT items._id, items.type, items.name,
                items.rarity, weapons.*
         FROM weapons
         LEFT JOIN items ON weapons._id = items._id
@@ -265,10 +265,17 @@ class MHDB(object):
             WHERE quest_id=?
         """, (quest_id,))
 
+    def get_monster_quests(self, monster_id, rank):
+        return self._query_all("monster_quests", """
+            SELECT DISTINCT quests.* FROM quests, monster_to_quest
+            WHERE monster_to_quest.quest_id = quests._id
+              AND monster_to_quest.monster_id=? AND rank=?
+        """, (monster_id, rank), model_cls=model.Quest)
+
     def get_item_quests(self, item_id):
         """
         Get a list of quests that provide the specified item in quest
-        reqards. Returns a list of quest objects, which encapsulate the
+        rewards. Returns a list of quest objects, which encapsulate the
         quest details and the list of rewards.
         """
         cursor = self.conn.execute("""
@@ -310,6 +317,12 @@ class MHDB(object):
             SELECT * FROM locations
         """, model_cls=model.Location)
 
+    def get_location_quests(self, location_id, rank):
+        return self._query_all("location_quests", """
+            SELECT DISTINCT * FROM quests
+            WHERE location_id=? AND rank=?
+        """, (location_id, rank), model_cls=model.Quest)
+
     def get_monster_damage(self, monster_id):
         return self._query_all("monster_damage", """
             SELECT * FROM monster_damage
@@ -320,8 +333,6 @@ class MHDB(object):
         # Note: weapons only available via JP DLC have no localized
         # name, filter them out.
         q = MHDB._weapon_select
-        if self.game == "4u":
-            q += "\nWHERE items.name != items.name_jp",
         return self._query_all("weapons", q, model_cls=model.Weapon)
 
     def get_weapons_by_query(self, wtype=None, element=None,
@@ -334,11 +345,7 @@ class MHDB(object):
         @final should be string '1' or '0'
         """
         q = MHDB._weapon_select
-        if self.game == "4u":
-            # filter out non-localized japanese DLC
-            where = ["items.name != items.name_jp"]
-        else:
-            where = []
+        where = []
         args = []
         if wtype is not None:
             where.append("wtype = ?")