Las Vegas Japanese Sword Show Jan 20 - 21, 2023

[Mark]

I am excited to announce a new sword show. This is in conjunction with, and part of, the Las Vegas Antique Arms Show https://www.antiquearmsshow.com/

 

I am organizing a Japanese sword  section in the Antique Arms show.  This is a huge annual show with 1500+ tables and thousands of attendees.  When you enter the show the Japanese Sword section will be immediately inside on your left. Everyone attending the show will have to walk past our section. The Las Vegas Shot show is held the same week.

 

Please check out the show website for additional information https://www.vegasswordshow.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/Vegas-Japanese-Sword-Show-107936798578861

 

There will be additional updates, we plan to have demonstrations,  possibly celebrity guests, etc etc.

 

Just wanted to get the word out early so interested parties can make arrangements.

 

We have not had a show this time of the year since Tampa and Las Vegas weather is better than up north in January. Also Las Vegas is a good destination offering a variety of entertainment and tourist options. 

[Mark]

[b.hennick]

Best of luck with this new venture! Mark organizes a great show that treats both attendees and table holders exceptionally well. Just as the Chicago show has grown I expect this one to grow too. 

[Brian]

That show is amazing! Been twice, while doing SHOT show. I guess I'll have to convince work to send me to SHOT next year.
Note, that is a really difficult time to get accommodation if you want to stay at the larger casinos. But that's a great room rate. Hmmm....maybe time for a US visit. The arms show is incredible, with some well known sword dealers already in attendance. I think this will be a huge success, with lots to see.

[ChrisW]

What you just pulled off is very impressive Mark!

[Mark]

News of the Las Vegas show was well received in San Fransisco.  There was a lot of interest and a number of tables were booked. Now that it is the next show on the calendar i will be working to promote it. If anyone has questions please email/message me.

 

 

[DTM72]

I added this show to the calendar. Wife and I plan to attend. Look forward to seeing those I know, and meeting those I do not know. 

 

Dan

[jesse]

Mark, thanks for doing this.  I already have my tickets and hotel reservations made.

 

Jesse

[Rivkin]

I am probably going to have business meetings scheduled so might not attend, but its a well known show and I heard only good things about it.

[DTM72]

Bringing this show to the top. Just under 2 months away. Who plans to attend? Just made my travel arrangements to attend...not exhibit or sell.

[Toryu2020]

Planning to attend and rep the NCJSC...

 

-t

[DTM72]

Anyone else plan to attend or exhibit at this show? Trying to decide what to take for sale or trade as I'm just going to be walking around. (No Table)

[Mark]

Dan

 

tables are about sold out, i can probably get a bit more room if i need it. Things have been going very well.  Mike Yamasaki has worked out some great presentations, demonstrations, celebrity appearances,  etc etc

 

[Seth]

Just booked my flights and room so I will be there.

[mdiddy]

I will be there also and plan to bring some rare military mounted swords, premium nihontos, junk wakizashis, and a dry sense of humor. 10% discount if you mention the NMB. Please stop by and say hi!

[DTM72]

@Mark Thanks for all the updates!

[DTM72]

After chatting with Mark, I will have a table in Vegas!

 

Look forward to meeting fellow NMB members.

[Mark S.]

So I know I’m about to ask the dumbest questions of the day… but asking anyway.  
 

Best girl and I (OK… SHE made it all happen) put together a Thursday to Sunday Vegas trip (staying at Westgate) so she can gamble and I can look at swords .  First new show other than Chicago Show. Maybe I’m just not seeing it (or just slow/dim), but I see table rates and special 4 day passes, but assuming we are just standard guests at hotel and just want to go to show Friday and Saturday:

1) What is $$$ rate for both days?

2) Do you get access to both sword show and antique arms show?  I’m assuming it’s one price for all, but just want to know what to expect. Sorry for dumb questions.  Thanks in advance.

[Brian]

For those who are into guns, and antique weapons, the antique arms show itself....even without the Nihonto aspect, is mindblowing. I was in absolute heaven for both days. Wandering around examining rare guns of the sort I never thought I'd ever see. There are tens of thousands of the best antique arms you can imagine. Pick a RARE gun...you won't see one. You'll see 10!
I made it both times as part of a business trip to SHOT. I am deeply sad that the company isn't sending me this year.
For those that go...take lots of pics.

[Mark]

Mark

 

general admission is $15 per day, i don't know if they do a 2 day rate

 

It is one huge show, it is in 2 big rooms plus an "atrium/hallway" in between. If you come you have access to everything, once you are in the door you go anyway you want. The "sword show" is a section of the show.   When you enter the show you are in the large front room, there are groups or sections of tables, like our Sword section immediately to the left as you enter, there is also a custom knife area, engravers area, shotgun collectors area and etc -- at least that is how it was last year,  then you go out the back of the front room into the atrium/big hallway, they have booths there for book signings, some larger displays, then you enter the large back room, that is the room with individual tables of antique arms, a lot of old guns as Brian mentioned, row after row of neat stuff. if you want a table or two to sell antique arms that is where your table will be. check the shows website for pictures to get an idea https://www.antiquearmsshow.com/gallery/

 

let me know any questions, i will try and answer best i can, bear in mind i have attended the past couple of years to shop but this is the first time for the "sword section" and first time for me to have tables

 

Mark Jones

vegasswordshow@gmail.com

 

[Mark]

pictures of part of the "back room"

[Mark]

part of the front room where we will be........ we will have an area or section of this room

[Mark]

this is a section of the atrium/hallway between the shows

[Mark]

we are trying a new concept, having a show as part of or with another event. This show is HUGE and one of the very best antique arms shows. It has been in Vegas for a long time. There are stories of the "old days" when Elvis would walk through with his entourage and point at guns he wanted.  Tom Selleck has been know to wander through and you see other celebrities.  It is sort of the "big money" show where if you want it you can find it, as Brian mentioned you see stuff you don't other places.

 

Doing a sword show as part of this it seems 1.  you get a LOT of people through the door, something that is a challenge at a regular sword show.  2. You get a chance to shop 1000+ tables, i have attended in the past and always found swords on tables, just like a big gun or antique arms show. 3. There are people walking around with deep pockets. What we need to do is try and induce people who come for the guns to pay attention to our swords, it is an opportunity to introduce potential collectors to a new collectable Samurai swords. We need new collectors.

 

That is why Mike Yamasaki has arranged the educational presentations/demonstrations and celebrity appearance. We want to  get people to check out our stuff...........  We have a number of regular sword dealers and attendees coming like San Fransisco, Orlando, and Chicago (like a small regular show)  but we combine that with thousands of people who love antique arms who will be there for the other stuff.  At least these are people who love antique arms and come to spend money

[Mark S.]

Thanks Mark!!! 

[Brian]

You guys don't even realize how amazing this is going to be. If just 5% of the gun crowd participates in the Nihonto side, you are going to have hundreds if not thousands of new eyes.
And like Mark said, the guys come there to spend money. And really, if you consider the price of the average decent antique firearm like a Colt SAA, then the guys are going to find antique swords a bargain!

Yes, the regular tables do have swords too....I was watching Eric M. prowling for bargains
It's worth it to make an effort to attend. I know with SHOT at the same time, accommodation is at a premium, but there are so many stay options and AirBnB's that anyone can go. Someone here should find a multi bedroom AirBnB and share costs with other members.
Make a plan and go. Hopefully this will be a huge success and the organizers will make it a permanent event.

 

[DTM72]

I have been having an internal battle with myself on taking my matchlock guns. I know at the regular gun shows I sell at, people are facinated by them but also choke at the price. (Not the target market). I'm also comfortable knowing that I will not sell them. Kinda don't want to sell them. If I take them to this show, they may actually sell...now what? Where will I find others to replace them? Got a serious dilemma going on in my head. I guess my problem is that if I sell a sword that I really don't want to sell (get an offer I can't refuse) I know lots of places to get another one or two or three. Matchlocks are not so easy to be found.

[Stephen]

Oy such a problem to be in...😉.

 

Mark you do a great service to the Nihonto community, I pray to make your show one more time.

[Rivkin]

It looks like I am going to make it.

As always, if you want to have a high grade blade photographed, I should be able to do it in my hotel room. 

You get to keep the photos and I get to consider them for a (hopefully coming) photo album of nihonto masterpieces. Here is an example shot at the last Chicago show.

[jesse]

My wife and I are going.

I'm looking forward to meeting some of the other members here.