Chicago Sword Show April 25-27, 2025

[Mark]

The show is about 2 months away. Perfect time to make plans to attend.  More swords, tsuba, kodogu etc in one place than you could see otherwise. Great hand on opportunity to learn.

 

Saturday there will be educational presentations, one by the NBTHK-AB

 

Basic show information here: http://www.chicagoswordshow.com/

 

If you want to stay at the Hyatt here is a link. Rooms are filling up, if you have trouble booking let me know

https://www.hyatt.co...booking/CHIRW/G-TOKE

 

If you want a table let me know, i usually have a few people who can't make it due to illness/emergency.

 

You can contact me regarding the show at chicagoswordshow@gmail.com

 

 

[Winchester]

Hi Mark,

 

What time will the educational presentations start?

 

I am very much looking forward to the show! Hope to chat with many of you there. Best regards, Brian

[Mark]

Brian, Thanks for asking.

 

all events will be Saturday times are tentative and will be noted at the registration desk

 

usually at 10 am Grey does a presentation on proper handling and care of swords

 

There will be a  presentation and Exhibit of Otsuki school fittings by the NBTHK-AB  it will be approx mid-day

 

Matt Jarrell will do a presentation/display highlighting the Change in shape of swords over time.  I understand there will be several blades from 1000 years old to Shinshinto.  There will be 2 swords for kantei as well. This will be later in the day around 3-4pm

 

It should be a great opportunity to see great items and learn. Nothing is better than seeing actual items and learning from them

 

There are a few rooms left at the Hyatt and if anyone needs a table i have a couple available

 

see you all soon

 

Mark Jones

http://www.chicagoswordshow.com/

 

 

[Mark]

the show is 2 weeks away.........  getting close.  If you have a chance make a last minute trip it should be a great show. 

 

the room block should have been closed but there was a short issue with their reservation system so they extended it.  If you need a room, or booked at another hotel grab a room at the Hyatt there are just a few left

https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/CHIRW/G-TOKE

 

We are looking forward to seeing everyone in two weeks

 

Mark

[tokashikibob]

If anyone setting up at the show has a WW2 Navy & a basic traditional saya / 1 Naval Menuki for sale I'll be looking for parts to complete a couple swords.

 

Best regards,

 Bob

[Grey Doffin]

I drive to the Chicago show and can bring with me more than my usual show merchandise. If there is a book on my site that you'd like to pickup - save on post - let me know. Glad to lug it along.

Grey

[ChrisW]

The Indiana Token Kai will have a large presence at the show -- We promise to have about 8 or so members present with nihonto and related wares for sale. Come support us and chat with our members! Some highlights will include a TH Sanekage, 29" temple ken, handmade (and to order) katana and tachi kake, beginner/entry level nihonto, and several Kamakura pieces.

[DTM72]

For those of us that are forced to work our normal jobs to pay bills and taxes, please take and post lots of pics or videos of the show. As this old man grumbles about having to work while you guys have all the fun, at least I can feel like I was there with you.

Wishing you all a great show!

[Soshin]

I cannot attend the Chicago show this year unfortunately. @Mark Mark Jones and family has put on some wonderful Chicago show that I was fortunate enough to be a part of in the past.  Please post as many photos as possible of the show here on NMB. I would love to see the tables and displays. Thank you in advance for taking the time to do it while NMB members are walking around the show floor.   

 

   

[O koumori]

Chicago sow...Friday setup

[Stephen]

Would love to see more fhotos/ info on this blade. Is the sori really that deep?.

 

[Mark S.]

With permission from the dealer.  Please let me know if you would like any other info.

 

[Stephen]

Thank you so much, my eyes didn't see the end of it in the picture I thought it was much longer but it makes sense now as I expanded. 

If only it was refund time.

Sending PM Anyway.

[Stephen]

Giving Mark a shout out for extra photos and description of Kizu.

This is what makes NMB the great place it is, members like Mark

 

[Hokke]

I knew I should have gone to that show

[Mark S.]

All,

 

So just to re-cap the show.  As always, Mark and crew put on a WONDERFUL show.  Great seeing old friends/acquaintances, shaking hands, sharing new acquisitions, and just catching up a bit.  Unfortunately, as I age, leaning over the table and looking down at items can take its toll on the old back… but it is a risk I am willing to take! 
 

The presentations on Saturday were top notch and we got to look at/hold fittings and blades that may rarely come around again.  Matt Jarrell’s presentation highlighting the change in shape of swords over time was very informative.  You know that ‘pictorial chart’ in books of blades showing that information?  Well, you got to look at and hold that chart in person!  From Heian to Shinshinto.  How many opportunities like that come along?  It was mentioned that some of the fittings from that presentation may be posted on-line for viewing, but I will have to let those associated with that comment.
 

Please… if you have the opportunity to go to this show or any others in the future, make every attempt.  You will NOT be disappointed and they really need our support.  
 

Once again, thank you to Mark and all! 

[tokashikibob]

Show this year was excellent, good spacing in the main room so you can really see and handle the antiques without feeling cramped.   Really liked the crew from Japan who had all the high end Tsuba, studying their wares was a high level class you don't often have access too.     Sword prices were very affordable.    Best thing to do is forget about buying blades online and just save your money for the show because whatever you are interested in there are multiple examples to buy and the guys are ready to sell for cash.

[Lewis B]

3 hours ago, tokashikibob said:

Show this year was excellent, good spacing in the main room so you can really see and handle the antiques without feeling cramped.   Really liked the crew from Japan who had all the high end Tsuba, studying their wares was a high level class you don't often have access too.     Sword prices were very affordable.    Best thing to do is forget about buying blades online and just save your money for the show because whatever you are interested in there are multiple examples to buy and the guys are ready to sell for cash.

I concur. I got an excellent deal on my Yamato Shikkake with sayagaki and custom Tensho Koshirae at the Japan Art Expo in Utrecht last year. Dealers are very keen to negotiate as they don't want to lug their items back to Japan. Also no tax to pay unlike if you had the sword shipped directly from Japan. And you can see the blade in person. Win win win.

I will attend the next show in June and will have my eyes open for the next addition to my collection. Shows are brilliant. 

[O koumori]

A few more pics...

[Mark S.]

Never too soon to start planning for next year… 

 

[Soshin]

22 hours ago, tokashikibob said:

Best thing to do is forget about buying blades online and just save your money for the show because whatever you are interested in there are multiple examples to buy and the guys are ready to sell for cash.

 

I completely agree with this statement. It best to save up and buy at the various Japanese antique art shows (including Chicago show) or in my specific case when I visit Japan. Starting next I will be visiting Japan increasingly often not just like the casual vacation when I was young and single.

 

P.S. I have just marked the dates for the 2026 Chicago show on my calendar. Thank you @Mark S. for posting an information card for next year's show.      

[O koumori]

On 4/28/2025 at 12:28 PM, Lewis B said:

Best thing to do is forget about buying blades online and just save your money for the show because whatever you are interested in there are multiple examples to buy and the guys are ready to sell for cash.

Agree. 

I am less and less inclined to ship blades, due to bad experiences with USPS and other shipping.

See them in hand, buy them at the show, and take them home!

[Mark]

The show seemed to go very well.  Thanks to the NBTHK-AB  The Otsuki fittings exhibit was  excellent, a chance to see treasures in person, with experts there to explain and answer questions, much better that books.  Matt Jarrell's presentation on the changing shape of blades was a chance to learn and hold great blades from the past 1000 years.

 

The tariff uncertainty was a negative but i was surprised to see attendance on Saturday was the most we have ever had (even shinsa years). I get a bit busy with show details but managed a few pictures when things were slow.

 

Thanks for the support

 

See you next year