WillFalstaff

Well, count me as a beginning collector here in the Houston area. That's one among a few, at least.

I did peruse Sesko’s website, but being new to interpreting nihonto, I wasn’t sure if there was another place I should start. Anywho. Today, as a FNG (F*^%ing New Guy) I should start with markussesko.com>Kantei Series>Kantei - Introduction. I shall report back once I get through Kantei 4.

Hi all, New to nihonto. Where do you start when it comes to identifying a mumei blade? Starting from, well, limited knowledge of anything related to kentai, but having books like The Connoisseur’s Book of Japanese Swords and The Samurai Sword by Yumoto (and nothing else yet!), what is the first step? The overall shape is a start, but it’s very open to interpretation and ubiquitous (maybe not to practiced . . . practitioners). Tsukurikomi? Or maybe Sori? Kissaki and Mune? Or does one start with jihada or hamon? If you are catching on, it is pretty difficult for a FNG to really know where to start, sans training. I don’t have access to experienced kentai peeps face-to-face. I only have books, internet, and time. Is there an FAQ? I’ve searched. If this is out of the reach of FNGs with no resources, aside from may be a cheap blade they bought and the aforementioned data, then why bother? Asking for a friend.

Hey guys, Thanks for the input. So, there is interest regionally. Anybody else with input please reply. I’m going to try to put out more feelers. I’m in the Woodlands area and have some relatives just west of Austin. Time to do some antique arms hunting and seeing if they know more people interested.

Hi all, Wondering if anyone knows if there’s an active Token Kai club here in the greater Houston area. I searched, and aside from sushi places, Swords of Japan’s (Ray? Input?) list of clubs has a Dick Marxen as head of a Houston Token Kai. Is this up to date? Anyone have any insight? I don’t want to cold-email/call. I can’t be the only one around here and I’d hate to start a club of one. I will be going to Collectors Firearms to do reconnaissance real soon. Any relevant input would be appreciated. p.s.: Texas is a huge state. Can’t just drive monthly to the (insert western state) Token Kai.

Call it the George Boshi

Hey Paz, https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?isbn=9784770020710&n=100121503&cm_sp=mbc-_-ISBN-_-used I got mine from AbeBooks last week, used. My wife is a librarian and she asked if it was brand new. I told her it was sold as used. She said if it was, no one ever cracked it open. Worth the price and as others said it’s tons of information. I also have The Art of Japanese Sword Poishing by Takaiwa, Yoshihara, Leon and Kapp. I think studying and owning nihonto is important, but if you don’t understand the process of traditional polishing you are bereft of important insight. I think a lot of well-respected sword appraisers are, or have been, polishers (including Nagayama). I also have Facts and Fundamentals of Japanese Swords: A Collector’s Guide by Nakahara and Martin. I need to get Sinclaire’s book.

Hi folks! Happy to join the international gang of fellow sword nerds. I’m a New England expatriate who moved to the country of Texas late last year (LOL). We were getting sick and tired of cold Nor’easter winters. I’ve been fascinated with history and swords since High School. I naturally gravitated to European swords, having been born in Europe, then moving to the US when I was very young. I practice German long sword when my toddler allows me to. I have a degree in History and write prolifically. I do historical research everyday to support my writing. I never considered studying Japanese swords seriously until one of my good friends decided to delve into Asian martial arts from a historical perspective. I had taken numerous classes in Asian studies during my college years (China, Vietnam). Undeniably when one studies history, the physical relics complement the research and further the understanding of the culture(s). COVID threw me into the world of traditionally made Japanese swords and have been glued ever since. I am a believer of the holy trinity: History, Research, and Swords. Joining NMB was inevitable. I look forward to fascinating discussions and pages near-future sword porn! I’m also a US Army combat veteran (Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2003-04).