FZ1 Posted November 10, 2021 Report Share Posted November 10, 2021 Welcome Todd. Yes, the terminology is a bit heavy-going for us new-starters! It gets easier as you get more familiar, but I've got a couple of "Glossary" pages as shortcuts in my browser that I still have to use on a regular basis. Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toryu2020 Posted November 10, 2021 Report Share Posted November 10, 2021 Good on you Todd - good luck in your search and I think youre right Michael Bell maybe does not get the recognition he deserves... -t Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken-Hawaii Posted November 11, 2021 Report Share Posted November 11, 2021 Swords are indeed addicting, Todd, & since they've been around for a thousand years, there is quite a vocabulary that has grown up with them. Since you have a katana, I suggest that you go to the NMB home page, & click on Nihonto Info. Under that, you'll find a downloadable Kantei Sheet. Carefully strip your blade down, & start filling in the blanks. There's nothing like hands-on learning to get you familiar with terminology. Welcome aboard. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shuriken Posted December 29, 2021 Report Share Posted December 29, 2021 Hi all, real name is Dave and I live in Torrance, CA. Been into nihonto study for some years; first blade was a WWII taken in combat on Guadalcanal--had a fascinating letter talking about how it was acquired. Now that I'm older, the minutiae of this field continually amaze and motivate me. There's so much to learn, and the blades/swords are, in the main, works of art. Okay before this descends into a febrile, maudlin moment, that's it. Cheers, Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken-Hawaii Posted December 29, 2021 Report Share Posted December 29, 2021 Welcome aboard, Dave. I lived in Torrance about 50 years ago, on Artesia, not far from the mall. Please share the history of your sword's acquisition, as I'm sure it will be fascinating to many of us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shuriken Posted December 29, 2021 Report Share Posted December 29, 2021 Hi @Ken-Hawaii and all, thanks for the note! And, yes, I know the area you lived in! The letter was a personal note to the new buyer (me). He was a corporal and had been issued the then-brand new M1 carbine. He wasn't too happy about that because A: he felt more comfortable with the 1903 and B, the M1 didn't mount a bayonet like the 1903 and the Garand. There was a small probing attack and his platoon was attacked by Japanese soldiers including an officer with the sword. The point man froze and didn't shoot, and it was this corporal with his semi-auto M1 who saved him--he said he hardly aimed, he was scared and just was shooting blindly as fast as he could and then it was over and the officer was down. He claimed the sword. He survived the Guadalcanal campaign but was wounded and required surgery and shipped home. Later in life he took it apart and saved the pieces in a shoebox that was later lost or misplaced, so it had no fittings; just the blade, habaki and saya. It had two mekugi-ana. I do not remember now the mei/smith except that it was, theoretically, late Shinshinto vintage. I sold that blade to fund others, but it had a great story behind it and I always regretted it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookie4Monstah Posted January 4, 2022 Report Share Posted January 4, 2022 Greetings everyone, My name is Khalid and my username/gamer-tag is Cookie4Monstah. I'm from the Boston area in the United States where I currently reside. I can't wait to discuss the nature of the Japanese art sword with you. As a currator by hobby I come across a variety of militaria including nihonto and have decided to delve into the world of the Japanese sword. I have been fortunate enough to come across many edged weapons yet nothing compares to the masterful forgings and polishings of Japan. I do like Damascus steel too but not as much! Please feel free to reach out at anytime, especially if I can be of assistance to you. Take care, Khalid 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken-Hawaii Posted January 4, 2022 Report Share Posted January 4, 2022 Welcome aboard, Khalid, & Happy New Year! Please tell us about your curating duties, when you have a chance, & feel free to ask questions, too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FZ1 Posted January 4, 2022 Report Share Posted January 4, 2022 Welcome Khalid, enjoy your stay! Cheers, Jon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John F Posted January 4, 2022 Report Share Posted January 4, 2022 Hello all and Happy New Year, my name is John and I am based in the U.K. I have had a vague interest in Japanese swords for awhile but only very recently, after acquiring a couple of swords, have I started looking into the subject in more detail and realising what a huge subject it is. I have found this forum very educational and I have enjoyed reading the discussions, hence deciding it was time to create an account. I am very new to this subject so please excuse me if I am still getting to grips with some of the terminology. All the best, John 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b.hennick Posted January 4, 2022 Report Share Posted January 4, 2022 Welcome Khalid and John you are both starting the year off right. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckaiserca Posted January 4, 2022 Report Share Posted January 4, 2022 Welcome to Khalid and John. You have found the right place. Lots of wonderful people here. I have found all the time I spend on this board to be very worthwhile. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FZ1 Posted January 5, 2022 Report Share Posted January 5, 2022 Hi John and welcome from another UK-based new-starter. As you've already sussed-out, this is a great place to learn and get advice. Advice can often be contradictory, but the fact that most members provide a good rationale for their views means that you (usually) get a good balanced argument on which to make your decisions Cheers, Jon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paz Posted January 5, 2022 Report Share Posted January 5, 2022 Hello all happy new year. Im from the UK and a JSA practitioner for 10 years. I studied kendo, iaido and niten ich ryu form of kenjutsu (koryu). I was a member of the BKA British kendo association and stopped practicing due to work and study. I completed a masters degree in Japanese studies in 2018. And have been collecting replica production swords since 2007. I finally purchased my first nihonto this week, after saving up and almost 14 years of trying to avoid this dream of mine because of expense lol. But thanks to covid it left me with some income due to no holidays for 2 years. Saying how excited I am to receive my first nihonto ( koto, late muromachi period) is an understatement. Take care all. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken-Hawaii Posted January 5, 2022 Report Share Posted January 5, 2022 Welcome, Paz. I'm sure that you've found significant differences between your replicas & your Koto blade. Many of us on NMB are sword swingers (MJER iaido & Shinto-Ryu kenjutsu here), so we tend to appreciate how swords are really used. We look forward to your questions & contributions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paz Posted January 5, 2022 Report Share Posted January 5, 2022 27 minutes ago, Ken-Hawaii said: Welcome, Paz. I'm sure that you've found significant differences between your replicas & your Koto blade. Many of us on NMB are sword swingers (MJER iaido & Shinto-Ryu kenjutsu here), so we tend to appreciate how swords are really used. We look forward to your questions & contributions. Thanks Ken. I can assure you just by going through many nihontos and photos ,I'm already in awe of how superior they look to the hanweis of this world. The first time I handled a nihonto it was day and night difference in weight and balance. Look forward to contributing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b.hennick Posted January 5, 2022 Report Share Posted January 5, 2022 Welcome Paz! Lots to learn and see here. I look forward to seeing your contributions. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckaiserca Posted January 13, 2022 Report Share Posted January 13, 2022 Welcome Paz! Be sure to post photos of your sword when it arrives. It is an unforgivable sin on this board to talk about new acquisitions without posting pictures. Welcome to this exciting hobby. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paz Posted January 21, 2022 Report Share Posted January 21, 2022 On 1/13/2022 at 3:51 PM, ckaiserca said: Welcome Paz! Be sure to post photos of your sword when it arrives. It is an unforgivable sin on this board to talk about new acquisitions without posting pictures. Welcome to this exciting hobby. Hi Charles thanks, I will. My anticipation for my first nihonto is through the roof. Just waiting for the export papers. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckaiserca Posted January 21, 2022 Report Share Posted January 21, 2022 6 hours ago, Paz said: Hi Charles thanks, I will. My anticipation for my first nihonto is through the roof. Just waiting for the export papers. The waiting is the hardest part. On my last blade my heart sank every time I looked at the tracking information to see the package sitting in Anchorage, AK every day for three whole days. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paz Posted January 21, 2022 Report Share Posted January 21, 2022 4 hours ago, ckaiserca said: The waiting is the hardest part. On my last blade my heart sank every time I looked at the tracking information to see the package sitting in Anchorage, AK every day for three whole days. I'm checking email inbox each time the phone vibrates, especially as Japan time is our in bed fast asleep time Lol 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillFalstaff Posted January 26, 2022 Report Share Posted January 26, 2022 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). 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted January 26, 2022 Report Share Posted January 26, 2022 Welcome, and thank you for your service! You will find many like minded people here and fellow soldiers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckaiserca Posted January 26, 2022 Report Share Posted January 26, 2022 Hi Will, Welcome to the board. You have certainly found the right place. Thanks for your service. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paz Posted January 26, 2022 Report Share Posted January 26, 2022 Hi Will welcome. I guess your a wiser newcomer than me, as your going to study before purchase 😄 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gp500 Posted February 16, 2022 Report Share Posted February 16, 2022 Hi guys New to the forum, having had a Katana hidden away in a wardrobe for the last 30 years I've decided to try find out about it's origins/history.. Thought this might be a good place to start?? Cheers Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisW Posted February 16, 2022 Report Share Posted February 16, 2022 Feel free to post pictures of it in a separate post and people will advise you on its care and how to see more information on it! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken-Hawaii Posted February 17, 2022 Report Share Posted February 17, 2022 Welcome aboard, Gary. Browsing through this may give you some ideas on photographing your blade: http://www.knifenetwork.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=a30df46f3bd23b77365a104b87ec1563&daysprune=-1&f=26 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gp500 Posted February 17, 2022 Report Share Posted February 17, 2022 Hi guys New to the forum, having had a Katana hidden away in a wardrobe for the last 30 years I've decided to try find out about it's origins/history.. Thought this might be a good place to start?? Cheers Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riff Posted February 19, 2022 Report Share Posted February 19, 2022 Hello everyone! New to the hobby and look forward to talking Nihonto with you guys! thanks, Desi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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