New Member Introductions

[cwo4uscgret]

Bruce here’s the link to my post “My first Nihonto.”My First Nihonto

 

My initial post was in the wrong thread.  Mea culpa.

[Brian]

Welcome Tim, glad to have another firearms guy on board. I also buy, sell and trade custom knives.
If you are ever after anything by the many great SA makers, drop me a message.

[Ben-W]

Hello all, quick introduction for a new member located in Sydney Australia. Fourty years young. After reading a fiction work named Shogun by James Clavell in my late teens and fell in love with all things Samurai. This inspired me to read a Book of Five rings shortly after and begin to investigate further into the mindset and spiritual perspective of what it meant to be samurai.

Twenty years later, (five weeks ago) I was traveling in Japan for the first time with my young family. And with my eldest son, (7) visited the Samurai museum in Kyoto. We took part in Tameshigiri. My son learnt the cutting technique although, he used the blunt wakizashi for Tameshigiri.

Afterwards I realized, I couldn't leave Japan without first adopting an authentic Nihonto.

Reaching this conclusion, the next location on our trip was Nagoya, where I visited Yuji-san at Sanmei/Tokugawa art and became a custodian of a my first two Katana.

Since then I've found this site and read three books (kindle version) from the recomend reading, and 26 pages of the general Nihonto related discussion section.

I do want to thank the owner and admins for providing this resource for English speakers who appreciate nihonto.

At the moment I'm hooked, and most nights go to bed excited about waking up in the morning, drinking coffee and learning more about Nihonto.

Cheers,
Ben

(Photo, son bowing to sensei post Tameshigiri lesson)

[b.hennick]

You a are off to a great start! Welcome to nmb.

[Stephen]

Love your approach Ben, if all new members came in as such.

 

Enjoy your adventures in nihonto its a never-ending journey.   

 

Welcome 

 

 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Welcome Ben, there are a few of us Aussies here in various spots around the country.

[Brian]

When you said "my first 2 katana.." instead of "katanas" I already knew you were well on your way in this hobby. Looks like you are having an amazing journey, thanks for letting us ride along with you for some of it.
 

[Ben-W]

Thanks for the kind words gents, great community 👌

[robinalexander]

Welcome Ben...I can feel your excitement.

[BryanW]

Greetings everyone.  

 

I, like many posting here for the first time, am new to the wonders of nihonto.  Most of my love for swords and technique previously resided in the European sectors.  My collection mirrored this focus, with each piece representing a stage in my journey.  However, after an introduction to certain arts, I began dabbling in eastern styles as well.  Soon one thing led to another and with a few years of additional experience, I had accumulated several related production pieces, as always, some for use and others for display.  Again, each acquired blade represented a particular experience, change in view, or accomplishment related to that area.

 

At this point, I am ready to expand my cherished display collection to include at least one genuine antique nihonto, representing that area of focus, time spent, and love for the art.

 

I'm happy to have found these boards and the knowledge contained within.  Hopefully a few of you will be kind and patient enough to mentor me during my initial journey into nihonto and beyond.

 

I am scheduled to visit Japan in about 2 years so hopefully I will have a little more knowledge by that time as well.

 

Thank you again in advance.

[Ken-Hawaii]

Welcome, Bryan. There are many facets to the study of Nihonto, which fit well with your personal phases. Invest in a couple of good books, & you can pick up a lot of information before your trip. And feel free to ask questions.

[Karasunoir]

Hello!

 

Just joined and saw the introductions page, so here i am

I have been obsessed with swords, particularly Japanese, since i was young enough to understand what they where. There is something about the history and beauty of these objects that truly captivate me.

 

My girlfriend and i love museums, so we have tried to make our own small one at home. I have many shinken made outside of Japan, but recently acquired a wakizashi from the edo period. I also have an edo period kusarigama and a hannin quality Japanese occupation taiwan sabre

 

I do kendo and other martial arts on my free time, and love reading about history. I am dyslexic, so there are probably lots of spelling errors in my posts. Sorry about that

 

Jone 

 

 

[IanS]

Good evening,  I'm late in saying hello, I seemed to have lost the correct location to introduce myself, just found it.

 

My name is Ian, I'm getting on a bit and should have started taking interest in Japanese swords a long time ago, there's a lot to learn!

 

Looking forward to meeting message board members.

 

Best wishes,

Ian.

[Bugyotsuji]

Welcome to both of you, Jone and Ian. Ian, I have the same problem... should have started years before I saw the light, er ... gleam of jigane steel. 

 

Jone, loved what you wrote about you are your g/f, so lucky to find someone with similar interests.......................................plus there are no spelling problems that I can see!  Some of our members do struggle in that department, but no-one here seems to mind! 

[GSXRman]

New Member Sean, here to introduce myself.

 

As a Hapa originally from Hawaii, I always wanted to visit the land of my father to see where his parents (my grandparents) came from.

 

They were from Yamaguchi-ken and all migrated to Hawaii in the very early 1900's (1905-1917).

 

My great-grandfathers were both around 20 years-old in Japan when the Satsuma rebellion was active. One of them is even on the FBI deadlist for something to do with Pearl Harbor.

 

This has focused some of my interest in Japanese armor and arms as I research my family's history and try to maintain a connection with it.

 

We finally visited Japan about 2 months ago and it was amazing. We visited the Tokyo area and saw all the normal touristy things as well as some local wanderings on our own.

 

I did purchase a Nihonto before I left and hope to keep it well so I can pass it to my son when my time here is done. It is an unsigned piece with a complete set of Tokugawa branded Koshirae in the Ito-Maki Tachi style, (I believe).

 

I hope to learn more from my experiences here.

 

Regards

 

Sean

[Ben-W]

Hi Sean,

 

Going from your username, you also share a passion for old Japanese blades and modern Japanese superbikes. I have a Yamaha R1M which is setup for track.

(favorite photo incoming) 

 

 

 

I was in Japan also about two months ago. 

 

Interesting family history you have, thanks for sharing. I would love to see your Tokugawa Koshirae sometime also! 

 

Cheers,

Ben 

 

 

[Tsuba gardener]

Although l already posted once, l thought it rude not to do an introduction. I live in the UK and have been collecting tsuba for 7 years. Previous to this l collected jutte and related items. I have one sword blade which was a tachi converted to a walking cane.  I joined this group due to the knowledge herein, which l discovered after Googling various terms.  I aim to contribute to other members posts as much as l can.

[kissakai]

Welcome Neil

 

[BertD]

Bert from Lake Havasu, AZ., USA introducing myself.

First time poster and just joined this informative forum !

So much to learn. Looking for my first Katana and first time to Japan next week !
In Tokyo will try and visit some shops and maybe will get my first Katana.

 

Always intrigued with Katana, and now have a budget to acquire one.

Lots of helpful posters here I see, been going through many posts to learn about the art and have ordered a book recommended hereto further the knowledge. Thanks in advance for the help and guidance !

[GSXRman]

On 11/10/2023 at 6:25 PM, Ben-W said:

Hi Sean,

 

Going from your username, you also share a passion for old Japanese blades and modern Japanese superbikes. I have a Yamaha R1M which is setup for track.

(favorite photo incoming) 

 

 

 

I was in Japan also about two months ago. 

 

Interesting family history you have, thanks for sharing. I would love to see your Tokugawa Koshirae sometime also! 

 

Cheers,

Ben 

 

 

My bike is a 2000 GSXR600, last of the carbureted models.

 

As for your request.......

 

[kevin2208]

Hi Everyone!

 

Been lurking on the forums for a while and figured I would finally sign up and participate!

 

Name is Kevin, am from and also still live in NYC.

 

During a vacation to Japan I saw nihonto for the first time at a museum and it was love at first sight. Since then I have been slowly starting to collect pieces and actively reading as many books as I can!

 

Nice to meet all of you and looking forward to learning/contributing to the community!

 

[DTM72]

On 11/10/2023 at 9:25 PM, Ben-W said:

 

Alright Valentino Rossi!

 

 

Black bodywork and "Sparkie Sliders" are from early days. Blue bodywork and orange wheels are when I was in expert club racing.

[Ben-W]

Dan the man! Nice number 1# plate 

 

Thanks for sharing and great photos!

 

I feel as though these shots could be greatly improved with a photoshopped Nihonto on your back though.

 

😀

 

 

[nulldevice]

Hello all,

 

Long time lurker. Still very much a novice in nihonto. I've always been fascinated with the idea of owning a "samurai sword" as 10 year old me would've said many years ago. I've been reading here to try and get some basic knowledge and am currently reading through The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords to try and expand my understanding of the terminology.

 

The problem here in Utah is that I don't know of any collector, organization, or group that has any sort of nihonto collection to see in person. I'd love to see and appreciate a few blades and talk to people before making my first purchase. I'm debating going to the Las Vegas show here next month as a complete novice to see what I can learn and maybe handle a few blades. 

 

Looking forwards to asking lots of questions!

[Toryu2020]

Welcome Chandler -

Going to Las Vegas is a great idea - you will see and learn tons in one short weekend. As it happens our club does online kantei for all members - it is a great way to study and persons of all interest levels are welcome.

 

-tch

[Franco D]

1 hour ago, nulldevice said:

I'm debating going to the Las Vegas show here next month as a complete novice to see what I can learn and maybe handle a few blades. 

 

Attending a show is an excellent first step towards beginning this journey. Since shows can quickly become overwhelming  especially for a beginner, it is advisable to write out a list of objectives you wish to accomplish ahead of time. In addition to swords from all different time periods to view, there will be lectures to attend, books to shop for, dealers to connect with, lots of fittings, take notes. 

 

 

Regards,

[nulldevice]

10 minutes ago, Franco D said:

 

Attending a show is an excellent first step towards beginning this journey. Since shows can quickly become overwhelming  especially for a beginner, it is advisable to write out a list of objectives you wish to accomplish ahead of time. In addition to swords from all different time periods to view, there will be lectures to attend, books to shop for, dealers to connect with, lots of fittings, take notes. 

 

 

Regards,

This is exactly what I would want to do. I've got a budget set aside for a good (not masterpiece quality blade). And I'm thinking I'd like a papered koto-era katana (koshirae would be nice but not necessary as the blade is the main attraction).

 

But even with those criteria you get blades ranging from rusted junk to national treasures in museums so for my budget, I'd like to go and handle different katana and see the differences in styles between schools, periods, and as much as my entry-level knowledge will let me appreciate and maybe lead me towards making my first purchase. Or at least let me see with my own eyes the differences between blades from different eras I'm reading about in my book and seeing online.

[Franco D]

38 minutes ago, nulldevice said:

I've got a budget set aside for a good (not masterpiece quality blade).

 

Take your time shopping, measure twice cut once, get second opinions from trusted friends/mentor. 

Buying a nihonto is easy. Buying an excellent nihonto or even a "good" nihonto is a challenge. Which is part of the attraction for collectors. Hindsight should be a positive experience. 

 

Regards,

[Schneeds]

Greetings All,

 

I have been a reader of the forum for the better part of a year now, and as I am finally getting ready to hopefully make my first nihonto purchase, thought it time I introduce myself. 

 

I am active law enforcement working in investigations, and have loved ancient weaponry for as long as I can remember.  My Dad read me Shogun when I was six years old.  A debatable decision, but what an awesome father to have. 

 

I began collecting around 5 years ago, but up until now I have only collected Roman blades (modern, authentically made pieces).  Over the last year or so, I began gaining more and more interest in historical Japanese works.  I am strictly an admirer for the craftsmanship and art; not a practitioner. 

 

I have to say getting into nihonto collection is an intimating prospect.  The sheer amount of information  on the subjects is absolutely mind blowing.  Even after a year of researching here and other resources I feel like I might know a drop in the bucket. 

 

Fortunately this is a great community.  I look forward to joining you all!

 

Erik

[IslandBoy]

Hi all. Been a life long collector of various items and life long learner. Always found swords interesting, especially Nihonto. I recently picked up a couple swords on a whim at a FL auction from a collector Robert McGregor. None of them papered, but they did have descriptions written by David Pepin or his firm. Now I'm learning about what I bought. Fascinated by the attention to detail, history, and beauty of these pieces of art. There's so much to read on the subject, I will never be finished.