New Member Introductions

[rockytopbob]

Hi. I'm a new guy from the Sierra. I bought my first two Nihonto over a half century ago in Tokyo...and Yumato's book, (Charles E. Tuttle) about the only Eigo book in print on Nihonto at that time. I'm interested in nihonto restoration now. In and out of blades over the years. Chu Sakusan: What SF organization? I'm pretty far back in the brush...but one junk Shinano-to I bought dumbly is great for pruning back the manzanita. The brilliance of these contributors is dazzling! Subarashii!

[Jean]

on board.

 

It will be fine and friendly to sign all your post by your first name as per Board rules. I find it hard to write a post or answer someone "Dear Zorro, Dear Zatoichi ..." and signed "Bernardo" :D

You can add it directly in your profile.

(Edit - admin. This has been done by forum admin anyways, as threatened in the past.)

and now enjoy this forum ...

[SwordGuyJoe]

While I have been on the NMB for over a year, I am only just now getting to my introduction - I apologize. My name is Joe and when I first showed my nephew (who was three at the time) my first sword (a Nagamitstu signed Ichiryushi) he said, "When I grw up, I want to be a sword guy like Unkie Joe." So when I needed to come up with a handle, I used SwordGuyJoe.

 

I am pretty new to collecting and purchased my first sword in 2006 and have been reading a ton since then. I have yet to really pin down my likes/dislikes to a certain age or school, but right now I like just about everything - much to the chagrin of my wife and pocketbook.

 

I have had great experiences on the NMB and hope that I have been able to contribute a small amount back.

[watsonmil]

Welcome to the NMB Joe, .... you are on the right track to " read a ton ", .... make that two tons ! I know I too have read a ton over many more years than you, ... and I still continue to study. It also helps to have an understanding spouse ( preferably one with two jobs ).

I have been blessed with a wife who not only understands my addiction, ... but takes joy in the " Arts of the Samurai " as well. Best of luck and happy hunting. ... Ron Watson

[David Flynn]

G'day Joe, get your missus involved as well. She can collect Kodogu!

[takeda81]

Greetings all from Romania !

 

I am Cris, 36 , ingineer, and I arrived here (this very nice forum and the areea of Nihonto ) after some years of training in some Koryu, now mostly Aikijutsu and EnshinHa Itto Ryu. My master, Machida Sensei, showed me once his Bizen wakizashi, incredibly beautifull, explaining to my all the details, hamon, nioi, hada, etc ... Then he mention that by the practice of Bujutsu, our body must be the same like the Nihonto - sharp, dangerous, but in the same time beautiful and delicate/gentle - the perfect balance must have In and Yo. His wife mentioned that he had his old wakizashi with him in the hospital during a hernia intervention, with the doctors aproval. That was to remind him about the good balance and to practice Shibori and Suburi, not to waist any moment , to train at least the upper body, while the lower body was imobilized in bed. Incredible !

That moment was my transformation from a Bujutsu practitioner in a nihonto lover. I attended 2 Dai Nihon Token in Japan, bought some books, own a few blades and tsubas. Main interest would be old swords - Koto or older, also books and scrolls related to sword or sword practice. I contribute to the main martial arts magazine here and also to a small one in France where I have a lot of friends.I hope to learn more with your help .

In Romania there are no nihonto clubs, so after I will study more, I will do my best to initiate that kind of activity here, too. Any advices would be very appreciated. I will keep reading and maybe ask for help with some translations, thank you all in advance !

 

best regards to everybody ,

Cris, Romania

[John A Stuart]

Hi Chris, The only thing you need to start a club of some sort is to gather all the people who love Nihonto as much as you and start to organise monthly or bi-monthly meetings in a community hall or church basement and let it grow from there. If there is enough interest, it shouldn't require much money. Best wishes and welcome. John

[David Flynn]

G'day Cris and welcome.

[takeda81]

Hi Chris, The only thing you need to start a club of some sort is to gather all the people who love Nihonto as much as you and start to organise monthly or bi-monthly meetings in a community hall or church basement and let it grow from there. If there is enough interest, it shouldn't require much money. Best wishes and welcome. John

 

Hello again and thank you all for the kind welcome

 

Well,the churches here - orthodox - does not provide same services like most catholic churches in west. But probably we will use the space which I rent as a Dojo, no problem here. The money will go probably for books, translations, editing an internal newsletter, etc ... Anyway , I will do that slowly and firmly !

Any ideeas pros and cons about NHTKB and the new NBSK http://www.soulsmithing.com/LIBRARY/ARTICLES/NBSKEN.html ? Or maybe it is already a different toppic ?

[John A Stuart]

Well, at least you wouldn't have to schedule around Bingo. :lol: So, I take it, you want to affiliate your club with some larger organisation? I don't think it is necessary, but, you could contact the European Branch of the NBTHK and see what they have to offer. John

[bluelake]

Hi,

 

My name is Thomas. Although I'm originally from the US, I have lived in Korea for the past twenty-one years, teaching Korean history and English in a university. My major area is late Joseon dynasty, especially dealing with Joseon military. I have been doing a lot of research on Korean firearms over the years. Since the matchlock design Koreans used for three hundred years originally came from Japan (a few years prior to the Hideyoshi invasion in 1592), I have a great interest in it. It was nice to see that many on here have an interest in them, too.

 

This past summer, while visiting family back in the States, I spent a lot of my time shooting a reproduction 鳥銃 ("Jochong" as the matchlock is called in Korean) I had a gunsmith craft for me. It's a .45 cal. smoothbore that can really deliver a ball. I'm looking forward to spending more time with it this summer when I visit back there again.

 

I also look forward to matchlock conversations on here and will undoubtedly have some questions for all the experts on here as well!

[watsonmil]

Dear Thomas,

Welcome aboard, .... although primarily a Japanese Sword and Fittings Forum, .... the board does make allowance and welcomes dialogue on all aspects of Japanese Samurai Arts / Weapons incl. the Tanegashima ( firearms ). Many of us have an interest in all forms of Japanese Art / Weapons. I think you will learn much. ... Ron Watson

[bluelake]

Thanks, Ron. Actually, I will be doing research into Korean swords in the next year or two, so that aspect will also be very helpful

 

Thomas

[danjo]

Hi!

 

I'm Florian and like SwordGuyJoe my introduction comes one year late, gome ne. All started when I did some research with regard to yajiri while procrastinating. However, being exposed to the world of nihon tô I was fascinated, immediately stocking up on the appropriate books but in the end overrun by rather more important things. Now, one year later, I am once again reading the books and try to get a grip on the basics which hopefully enables me to get an idea how to progress and to plunge deeper into the subject. I am living in Japan for another year, maybe the time suffices so that I can add something worthwhile to my luggage when returning and if it's just books.

[David Flynn]

Welcome Florian, and good luck with your endeavours.

[jason_mazzy]

Hello my name is jason. I am in my 30's and I am a retired US ARMY combat veteran. I was injured in afghanistan in '01. I am a student of life, and lend my time and talents to Bonsai, and music. I have always had a mythical love for Nihonto, and always hated the samurai swords ppl would show me or say were the real thing. They were always cheap stainless steel junk trinkets and I knew deep in my heart these could not be the swords of legend. Luckily as I grew older I found the truth and now this wonderful forum. I am looking for a katana and wak, to own and treasure, and hope to find one here soon. Truth be told I want to learn alot more about the nihonto and cultures but 90% of what you guys say is way over my head. I hope in the next 6 months to be able to cut that down to just 50%. LOL Thank you guys for your time.

[David Flynn]

Welcome Jason, I hope you enjoy this forum.

[Brian]

David is now our official NMB greeter and welcommer

Good job mate, keep it up

 

Brian

[deanartinfo]

Hello everyone wherever you are.I am searching for shin gunto swords and dagers.

Dean

[David Flynn]

G'day Dean, welcome. I take it from the flag, you're in Croatia?

[deanartinfo]

Hi David,regrads from Croatia.As recommended I come to this forum although I have no usage but new insights are always welcome.

[John A Stuart]

I am glad to see you make it. John

[deanartinfo]

I am glad to see you make it. John

 

Hi John,yes I make it thanks to Rado R.Thanks for the link

[kuni123456]

Hello,

 

I just joined this Nihonto Message Board. I am a Sansei or third Generation Japanese American. I have two Wakizashis that were given to me from my Father who received them from his Parents. I had one Wakizashi polished in Japan by Kajiwara Fukumatsu who lived in Kushu, Japan. The sword was produced during the 1500's and received a Juyo rating. The swordsmith could not be identified because it marked Masamune, who lived in the 1200's. The other blade was made from a broken Katana and has little value except that it is from my Father's Father family who lived in Fukushima ken, Japan. I wish that my Mother's Father had brought swords from Japan because his Family served Kaga han for many generations and had a large sword amory behind their home in Kanazawa shi, Ishikawa ken, Japan. I am interested in Japanese History and Japanese swords.

K. Wakamatsu

[Cypress Bayou]

I thought I should introduce myself after a year of NMB membership

 

I am James Frellsen and currently live in Northeast Louisiana.

 

I have been a collector “of something” since I was a child ….the area I have collected the longest, are compasses, sundials & navigation related antiques, And it is there that I have the greatest knowledge….but have never considered myself an expert.

 

I purchased my first sword in 1980 to fulfill my fathers desire to own a Japanese sword. The back-story tells why;

 

My dad was a US Navy fighter pilot during WWII, who was later shot down by the Japanese over Formosa. Captured & later interred at the infamous Ofuna Prison camp.

 

Throughout my father’s life, I would ask about the war ….and without hesitation he would say he regretted not bringing home a Japanese sword.

 

After the war, the US Navy sent him back to Occupied Japan {along with his newlywed bride, my mom}.

It was in Japan where my parents purchased their first furniture and art work,

Items that I grew to appreciate, not only for the subtle beauty, but for the fine craftsmanship {items that I live with to this day}

 

Since the 1980’s, I have owned many swords but the one aspect of the Japanese sword that has always intrigued me is Tosogu / Kodogu

 

By 2000 I made a major shift from swords and scientific instruments to Menuki, tsuba, kashira / fuchi, kogai / kozuka and habaki, And concentrating less on collecting and more on the study of the Makers, Techniques & Schools with an emphasis on Japanese language & culture.

 

As my library of books grows substantially, I continue to be exposed to the multitude of variations, of which, never ceases to amaze me.

 

I have found the information on the Nihonto Message Board not only useful, but helpful as well and ….I appreciate the Patience & knowledge of NMB members

 

To be honest, My Japanese is atrocious; No offense intended to the Japanese people or their culture.

 

So Please, Pardon me, should I use non-Nihonto terminology ……I am still learning

[watsonmil]

Dear James,

It is very nice to meet you, ... and I must say being a retired/semi-retired dealer in fine antiques, .... your site was most refreshing. It has a vast selection of items for the connoisseur of fine antiques instruments. A pleasure to welcome you into the field of Nihonto and related Art/Artifacts. .....Ron Watson

[Bugyotsuji]

Welcome indeed. One thing intrigued me, but forgive me if out of place. It sounds from the tone of your post as though your father has passed on. Did your father ever get to own a Japanese sword himself? Was he simply happy seeing you owning one?

[Cypress Bayou]

I appreciate your comments ...

 

My father passed in 1988, and unfortunately never owned a sword ....but he showed a great deal of joy and respect for the swords I would bring home to show him.

[David Flynn]

Hi James and welcome.

[bone]

Hi all. First I want to thank the owners and caretakers of this site. Without you and the other kind people I've met so far I'd still be waiting anxiously for the latest piece of chinese junk I bought to arrive. I'm looking forward to picking all your brains!

Thanks.

 

Steven Bone