Cold Weapon

The Art of Fencing

2009-01-02T05:35:00.000-08:00

Credit: Denise Baratta, mailtribune.com

Matthew Howden and Jeff Richardson face each other with rapiers crossed. They move with great economy, each adjusting to the other, neither willing to strike until he has a clear advantage. The men's feet trace wide arcs on the floor of the Phoenix Grange Hall as steel scrapes on steel.

Then, almost too fast for the eye, Howden has caught Richardson's rapier on his hilt, and Richardson is in a kneeling position with a blade at his throat.

The two men, both instructors with the Academia Duellatoria, are facing off in a weekend seminar devoted to the work of Gerard Thibault d'Anvers, a master swordsman whose seminal "Academy of the Sword" was published in 1630.

The idea for the weekend is for the seven or eight men standing against the wall and sitting on a nearby bench to learn the underpinnings of Thibault's system and practice its techniques. As with most martial arts, there's more than meets the eye.

Historic fencing looks different from both Olympic-style sport fencing and the fight choreography of the modern stage, a la "The Three Musketeers." It often takes but a small move to change the dynamics of what in former times was a deadly dance. Richardson demonstrates as he and Howden cross blades with the latter's sword pointing at the former's face.

"Danger," Richardson says, rotating his wrist a hair counter-clockwise. "Out of danger."

The slight action leaves his blade pointed at Howden, and the other man's rapier aimed harmlessly over Richardson's left shoulder.

Richardson, 39, who does architectural design in his day job, was one of the founders of the Academia several years ago. It operated at Southern Oregon University in Ashland and at the Medford Elks. He's moved it to Portland, but an affiliated group remains in Southern Oregon.

Thibault is one of the group's main interests. John Michael Greer, of Ashland, published a new translation of Thibault's work two years ago.

Thibault believed that the rapier alone was sufficient for hand-to-hand combat without any other weapons. The rapier was developed in the 16th and 17th centuries for self-defense and dueling. It is an edged weapon with a complex hilt used for both thrusting and cutting.

"The basic premise is to get the other guy's weapon down here at the junction of the hilt and the forte," Richardson says, hefting a practice rapier with a blunted point.

The hilt comprises a knuckle guard and a series of loops between the weapon's handle and its blade. The forte is the relatively thick, strong part of the blade nearest the hilt.

Thibault's system stresses the idea of the decision point. One of the first decisions in a duel has to do with the question of depth. For example, has anybody's point passed the other's guard?

If not, there are certain options. Passing that point can mean the difference between needing to make a slight movement or a complex one. In this art, tempo is the amount of time it takes to perform an action. And an action that takes less time will usually defeat an action that takes more time.

"So I'm trying to set up a situation where all my opponent's actions take more time than mine," Richardson says.

He says the principles learned with the rapier have broader applications. Travis Harden agrees. Harden, 29, has a black belt in karate and teaches at Chip Wright's school in Medford.

"The rapier is 90 percent footwork," he says. "I can apply those same movements to karate."

The way Richardson puts it is that if Asian martial arts are about meditation, fencing is about geometry. Thibault and other masters created an elaborate geometry of movement. This Pythagorean, or sacred, geometry was connected, along with the rest of math and science, to an elaborate system of philosophy and theology in which everything was part of a grand design.

Read more: mailtribune.com

A Martial Arts Tournament in Canberra

2008-11-09T07:05:00.000-08:00

Credit: http://moruya.yourguide.com.au

3 representatives from Batemans Bay Sholyn Wushu School travelled to Canberra to compete in a martial arts tournament that was regarded as above their class.

Two of the three participants, Tim Bennett and Adam McFallan, walked away with second places and two thirds.

Bennett secured a second place in the State championships for points sparring, only to back it up a minute later to secure a second place in the continuous sparring section.

Adam McFallan, with less then ten hours of formal training with his sword, gave an entertaining demonstration of traditional and freestyle swordsmanship to secure a well-deserved third place. The sword skill is usually developed over several months.

He also secured a third placing in the males 15 to 17 continuous sparring event.

Seventeen year old McFallan said the atmosphere of the event was tense but competitive. He has been training in Sholyn for almost two years and has plans for the direction of his training.

“I want to continue with it and try and get first place,” he said.

“When came I wanted to start my own dojo. Now I’m an apprentice instructor.”

The third competitor from the Bay, Karl Niehus, was given no choice but to withdraw from the open black belt division as a result of a severe lower back muscular injury.

Medical advice by the tournament’s safety officer Sifu Ian Givney ordered Karl’s withdrawal from the tournament.

The group’s success has led them to be invited to the national championships on the Gold Coast but they are facing a dilemma, according to sensei Ian Gibney.

“Due to a lack of finances we can’t make it to the nationals on the Gold Coast,” he said.

“It’s a shame they can’t expand their growth. We’ve got the track record and the credibility to do it.”

The group will continue to train for local based events and will be demonstrating their skills at the upcoming dragon boat festival in Moruya this weekend.

Read more: moruya.yourguide.com.au

Two Books That Really Rocks

2008-10-10T05:59:00.000-07:00

I'd like to introduce my favorite books.

The first one is Kendo: The Definitive Guide. Must-have for beginners and up. This is the best Kendo book I have found so far. A book can not replace real training, but if you are a student of Kendo, or think you might be interested in it, this book can help you mentaly. It covers the basic commands, and Japanese names for the equipment. This book also covers some spiritual side to the art.

Some words from other readers:

The book includes history, training philosophy, instructions for equipment, basic footwork and strikes, techniques, kata and even tournament regulations. It has almost everything you would need to know about.
I have to work a little to find the information I need, as (of course) Ozawa organizes information differently from the way it's presented to students in the school that I attend. But it's all there, if you know what you're looking for. It's unfortunate that there isn't any information on shinai or armor maintenance.
This book is an excellent guide throughout your Kendo training.

By Enrique Pineda

This book is a really solid introductory text covering everything from kendo history to how to wear the hakama and protective gear to step-by-step technique explanations. It's no substitute for hands-on instruction yet it is an outstanding complement to dojo training. This text and a few notes of your own is all you'll really need to remember the important fundamental concepts of the art. It is broken into five sections, basics, stretching/warm-up exercises, waza (techniques), nihon kendo kata (form work), and keiko (practice). There are appendices on competition and judging, international kendo, and a glossary of terms. The book is not only well written and reasonably comprehensive, but it also contains clear line drawings that ensure you'll really understand the concepts. Surprisingly, there is no index, so you'll probably want a highlighter and a pad of sticky notes to mark the stuff you'll want to refer back to.

By L. A. Kane

The second one is Practice Drills for Japanese Swordsmanship. This book performs its function perfectly, as a supplement to iaido or kendo training, not as a comprehensive guide to these other arts. The drills are excellent, the illustrations clear and concise, especially to a proponent of the art. The book is NOT a stand-alone manual to any specific art, and shouldn't be read as such. For something like that, try Kendo: The Definitive Guide or Suino's The Art of Japanese Swordsmanship; both of these are as close as I've found to "definitive" works. You need to be around someone that has taken some lessons & has at least a basic idea of what they are doing. I enjoyed it even though most of the drills were known to me. I would recommend it for anyone interested in the sword arts.

Testing Mongol Saber, made by Vince Evans

2008-09-21T04:52:00.000-07:00

Notes on design

Philip Tom worked out the design as a combo of the likely elements that one might have seen in the sabers carried by the various horsemen who served in the Mongol ranks. Given that most of the excavated material is incomplete: a blade with guard here, one with a partial hilt there, and various bits in between, Philip drew on several source to complete the whole. A list of this sources is provided below-

The blade proportions and shape of guard and tuncou seen on the fragmentary saber with Armenian inscriptions excavated in the Urals, formerly in the possession of the Soviet Academy of Sciences (Leningrad branch), and published by Djanpoladian and Kirpicnikov in "Mittelalterlichen Saebel mit einer armenischen Jnschrift, gef. im subpolaren Ural" (GLADIUS, Vol. X, pp 15-23). Phil, however, opted for an unfullered blade x-section.

The relative lack of distal taper which Evans incorporated into the blade design is a feature confirmed by examination of numerous sabers, excavated on the Hungarian and north Caucasian plains. This accounts for the extremely tip-heavy balance of these weapons.

Historical Design Authenticity - 100%. This saber was designed by Philip Tom, a well know expert in the field. That alone would be enough for most to feel confident in the historical accuracy of any Continental Asian saber, but I can add that this saber closely resembles those discovered at different archeological sites in Russia, including those found at the site of the first Russian-Mongol battle at Kalka River in 1223 (The details of which finds were used to design which parts of this saber are listed below). Beyond the overall accuracy of the blade form & shape of the fittings, I was quite happy to see that the blade's cross-section geometry was also right on, being polished in what is commonly referred to as a a "clamshell" or "apple seed" shape. This shape provides for a blade that is both adequately sharp but also strong enough to endure the rigors of cutting harder materials.

Rating - Very Good.

Solo Basic Cuts & Form Practice Test

I couldn't use my usual set of common basic dao cuts for testing this saber for the simple reason that it is balanced for use on horse back, not on foot. So before I started swinging it about in earnest, I took some time to do a little research on the use of saber from the saddle. Obviously, cutting while on horse back is restricted by the need not to hurt one's mount. So, for example, there are no horizontal cuts to the front, nor upward sweeping diagonal cuts from the left. Also chopping cuts will have to complete their motion before traveling low enough to possibly strike the head of one's horse's. One also has to sit with the left shoulder forward. So when I tested this saber, I used primarily two cuts; a high pi cut aimed at head level & an upward sweeping liao cut from my right side. Though I am not familiar with using a saber balanced for mounted use, I found this saber easy to use. It is balanced with more weight toward the tip than saber for use on foot, as are other Qing period examples I have examined, but not is much that it is difficult to wield or cut with. In short, the balance & handling are just what is required from use on horseback.

Hard Cutting Test.

The locally grown bamboo I use for cutting practice has a tendency to splinter when cut, making it a bit more challenging to cut. The last 2 summers have been rather dry, making this even more the case, yet this saber easily sliced thru old growth, green bamboo 2" in diameter.

Read more: forum.grtc.org

See also Vince Evans Bladesmith

Chinese Traditional Martial Arts Show Displays Skill And Precision

2008-09-04T04:28:00.000-07:00

Credit: Chen Qiu/The Epoch Times

Skill, discipline and precision were the order of the day as over a dozen martial artists demonstrated their expertise at the 2008 North America West Coast Chinese Traditional Martial Arts Demonstration Show on August 31.

Over two hundred spectators, some from as far away as Hong Kong, attended the show. The masters, ranging from age fourteen to eighty-four, displayed a variety of demonstrations including Chinese Broad Sword Set, Tai Chi Quan, and the famous Shaolin Quan.

Held at the Britannia Centre in Vancouver, the show's intention was to promote traditional Chinese martial arts. It also provided a great opportunity for masters around the world to advance in their skills.

"Martial arts have the effect of preventing violence; in other words, to stop war and generate peace," said Zenghua Zhou, a martial artist who performed in the show.

"Martial arts also have the effect of nurturing health and strengthening the body as well as building the muscles. It was used in ethnic areas to heal illness and achieve physical fitness."

Martial arts are mostly practiced as an ordinary exercise among the general public nowadays, with the result that some of its fundamental nature has been lost. It actually originated from ancient traditional Chinese culture, which has rich content and inner meaning.

Martial arts were initially derived from Taoism, a spiritual practice that is closely related to personal cultivation and self-improvement. The first martial art appeared during the period of the Yellow Emperor (2852 BC - 2205 BC).

Later on, the sword techniques were gradually enriched by the incorporation of artistic components.

There are two styles in martial arts: Internal Style and External Style. The Internal Style emphasizes a person's inner development, while the External Style focuses on the physical.

The Internal Style was mostly practiced during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties when the spiritual community taught Ba Gua and Xingyi Quan. The External Style is the one spread in public today, valued for its elegance, openness, and swiftness.

More information available at: epochtimes.com

Throwing Stars, also known as Shurikens

2008-08-01T03:43:00.000-07:00

These ones are traditional Japanese Ninja weapons, commonly used for throwing. They are more useful than throwing knives. Shuriken is a very simple weapon, but their value was in the wide variety of applications they could be used for, and the ready availability of material from which to fashion the weapon. Unlike a bladed weapons, antique shuriken are usually not well preserved or sought after due to their status as throwaway weapons. Some of Ninjas used poisoned death stars to surely kill the victim. It's easy to use, easy to train and easy to get skilled.

These weapons are widely presented at Amazon's online shop, very low priced.

Weapons will not be sold to minors. All weapons are for demonstration or decorative purposes only. If used for demonstration, expert care and supervision should be exercised. These cannot be shipped to all states or countries. Some weapons are prohibited in New York, California and Massachusetts. Customer is responsible for knowing the laws of your state/country and are responsibe for any shipments confiscated by local law enforcement or customs.

Throwing Knives Master Class

2008-07-13T05:42:00.000-07:00

Knife throwing has made many appearances in film, most prominently in action movies such as Gangs of New York, Kill Bill, and V for Vendetta. But it so unreal, the number of rotations within a distance of 5-30 feet should be no more than two.

Just watch these videos:

The most popular throwing knives are presented at amazon.com, starting $9.50 They have held up very well, I highly recommend these knives, especially Fusion Knives by SOG.

The Black Dragon Naginata

2008-06-01T05:47:00.000-07:00

Naginata is a Japanese martial art form that originated over one thousand years ago. Due to its massive height, the Naginata was the weapon of choice for battle against horseman and swords. Naginata can be used to stab, but due to their relatively balanced center of mass, are often spun and turned to proscribe a large radius of reach. The curved blade makes for an effective tool for cutting due to the increased length of cutting surface.

It looks similar to a European Glavie, but it's different. It has become associated with women and in modern Japan it is studied by women more than men; whereas in Europe and Australia naginata is practiced predominantly (but not exclusively) by men. A naginata consists of a wood shaft with a curved blade on the end. Usually it also had a sword-like guard (tsuba) between the blade and shaft.

The naginata, like other weapons, can be customized to fit the build of the bearer. The naginata shaft is the height of the bearer's body, with the blade mounted atop usually measuring two or three shaku (one shaku is equivalent to 11.93 inches, or 303 mm) long. Unlike most polearms, the shaft is oval in cross section to allow easy orientation of the blade, and ranges from 5 to 7 feet (1.5 to 2.1 meters) long. The blade is usually curved, sometimes strongly so, towards the tip. As with Japanese swords, naginata blades were forged blades, made with differing degrees of hardness on the spine and edge to retain a sharp edge but also be able to absorb the stress of impact. Some naginata blades may, in fact, have been recycled katana blades.

Naginatas were often used by foot soldiers to create space on the battlefield. They have several situational advantages over a sword. Their reach was longer, allowing the wielder to keep out of reach of his opponent. The long shaft offered it more leverage in comparison to the hilt of the katana, enabling the naginata to cut more efficiently. The weight of the weapon gave power to strikes and cuts, even though the weight of the weapon is usually thought of as a disadvantage. The weight at the end of the shaft and the shaft itself can be used both offensively and defensively. Swords, on the other hand, can be used to attack faster, have longer cutting edges (and therefore more striking surface and less area to grab), and were able to be more precisely controlled in the hands of an experienced swordsman.

Start Your Training With A Daito Wood Practice Sword

2008-05-16T08:19:00.000-07:00

The wrap on the handle is a nice Touch; My Guard doesn't really fit that good, but will stay in place (it just jiggles a little when I swing). Also the fact that they have weight to them helps increase the muscles in your wrist and arms. I have hit them together accidentally and they seem to hold up to the blow.

Overall, it was pretty good, I was a little disappointed in the quality of this sword. There were several cracks in the finish of the sword. Nothing huge, just minor eyesores.

A great bokken at a good price. I do both Ninjutsu and Toyamma Ryu, a katana martial art new to the U.S. that is a combination of Iaido and kenjutsu with a strong emphasis on iaido(drawing and sheathing of the sword) and on the perfection of the cut. It is heavier than most bokken, which I think is a good thing because its closer to the weight of a real katana, and it builds strength in the forearms while practicing. For Toyamma Ryu I use mostly my carbon steel Iaito(unsharpened katana) but still use it when we do kenjutsu techniques like blocking drills bokken to bokken. It doesn't come with a saya(sheath), but I just made one out of thick black plastic from my water well tubing and heated to mold it into more of an oval instead of being circular. I needed a saya, because it is important for drawing in Iaido techniques. For most bokkens you can use those old plastic black golf club tubes that they sell at Dick's Sporting Goods or wherever you can find them, but you have to ask for them. The handle-wrap is durable and a really nice feature. In Ninjutsu all we use is the bokken because we do body movement to avoid the blade which is obv much safer than a metal sword. I've wacked it pretty hard in practice and by accident a few times and it has held up really well and the handle-wrap hasn't moved at all, so I think it is a really nice practice tool that everyone will love.

It's still a fairly cheap piece of wood, compared to an ironwood version, but at this price (it was $9.99 when I bought it) you really can't go wrong. A nice enhancement over the basic bokken. I do, however, prefer the natural wood version to this one as it looks pretty bad once you start using it and the color scrapes off. Nevertheless, if you want an inexpensive practice sword this one is recommended.

Your First Samurai Sword — The Katana Honor

2008-05-13T08:27:00.000-07:00

Samurai sword collecting is a very popular past time for many Americans. Something that is becoming even more popular is martial arts that make use of samurai sword for fighting and cutting exercises.

I recommend this sword for decorative purposes. For a wallhanger, I have no complaints. The kanji script carved into the scabbard is very attractive and adds to the traditional look of the sword. All the wrappings are nylon, but look nice enough. Sword is not of the best quality, but worth the 15 dollar price tag.

If you look at the sword detailed description, you'll see that it's made of HQSS stainless steel, already sharpened, with the hamon along the edge of the blade. But usualy it's not sharp enough to pass the paper test.

I also recommend to look at the Japanese Samurai Swords Buying Guide and How to buy your first Medieval Sword.

The sword is beautiful and exactly as expected. The sheath is a black matte.

Wooden Sword vs. Katana, Musashi vs. Kojiro

2008-05-02T04:27:00.000-07:00

Some of the martial art schools start training with wooden swords. That means less danger in fencing, but even a wooden sword may be a very dangerous weapon. Look at this historic samurai Duel at Ganryu Island, legendary Miyamoto Musashi vs. Sasaki Kojiro:

That's a movie, not a true fight.

First of all, in this movie Musashi looks much older than 30 years (that great fight was 13th of April, 1612, and Musashi aged approximately 30).

Second, Musashi struck him on the skull with his oversized bokken (wooden sword), not a short sword drawn with his left hand as shown in the video.

And the third, Kojiro was armed by Nodachi instead of Katana.

According to wikipedia, there are two version of this fight.

Musashi arrived more than three hours late, and goaded Kojiro by taunting him. When Kojiro attacked, his blow came as close as to sever Musashi's topknot or ponytail. He came close to victory several times until, supposedly blinded by the sunset behind Musashi, Musashi struck him on the skull with his oversized bokken (wooden sword), which was over 90 centimeters long. Musashi supposedly fashioned the long bokken, a type called a suburito due to its above-average length, by shaving down the spare oar of the boat in which he arrived at the duel with his wakizashi (the wood was very hard). Musashi had been late for the duel on purpose in order to psychologically unnerve his opponent (a tactic used by him on previous occasions, such as during his series of duels with the Yoshioka swordsmen).

Another version of the legend recounts that when Musashi finally arrived, Kojiro shouted insults at him, but Musashi just smiled. Angered even further, Kojiro leapt into combat, blinded by rage. Kojiro attempted his famous "swallow's blade" or "swallow cut," but Musashi's oversized bokken hit Kojiro first, causing him to fall down; before Kojiro could finish his swallow cut, Musashi smashed Kojiro's left rib, puncturing his lungs and killing him. Musashi then hastily retreated to his boat and sailed away.

This was Musashi's last fatal duel.

The School of European Swordsmanship

2008-03-30T04:49:00.000-07:00

Longsword demonstration at FinnconX in Turku (2003)
Credit: swordschool.com

The School of European Swordsmanship, founded and run by Guy Windsor, teaches the historically accurate use of most European sword types from the period 1300 to 1900 AD, according to the principles written down by the original Masters.

The School of European Swordsmanship, Helsinki (Finland) was founded in March 2001 by Guy Windsor. The school's first lessons took place in the Olympic Stadium and the Töölö primary school. The first demonstration lesson was attended by more than seventy people, and the first beginner's course started with more than twenty people, many of whom are still with the school. In June 2001 the school found its own salle in Jakomäki.

In October 2003 the school opened two more branches, one in Turku (lead by Miika Vanhapiha) and one in Lappeenranta (lead by Mikko Hänninen). In the same year, The Swordsman's Companion was published, which lead directly to the school's association with PHEMAS of Singapore in August 2005; two hardy souls (Greg Galistan and Chris Blakey) spent a month sleeping on our concrete floor and training 6 hours per day. Since then, Guy Windsor and Provost Topi Mikkola have made the return trip and taught seminars there; further seminars in Singapore are also scheduled. In March 2006, the fifth branch of the school in Finland opened in Jyväskylä, lead by Jukka Salmi.

Look at the weapons they use:

Credit: swordschool.com

From left to right:

Longsword
Rapier
Backsword
Smallsword

That's a common weapon in use. But the history of European swordsmanship is extraordinarily varied and rich. To enhance the student's appreciation of their heritage, and to expand their experience as swordsmen, many other weapons styles are taught, usually in weekend seminars. Other weapons taught include falchion, quarterstaff, warhammer, axe, dagger, and other styles of the above weapons. Students are at all times welcome to do their own researches into the treatises in the school library.

Freeplay - practising in protective gear. Note also rapier practise going on in the background.
Credit: swordschool.com

Historical Swordsmanship really differs from modern sport fencing for some reasons.

Firstly, the earliest style they cover, due to the lack of available earlier texts, is from 1295. Most of what they do is from 1400-1800, so is not actually medieval, but renaissance.

Secondly, they use replica weapons of the periods, and train using the same manuals that they used back then. The real difference is in the mindset. There are no interest in scoring touches, but in developing themselves as martial artists.

They also cover a range of dirty tricks that would get you banned for life from competition, but may save your life in a fight. So, they are nothing like sport fencing.

Practising basic longsword drills
Credit: swordschool.com

Equipment costs vary: the basic safety kit should cost less than 600€ in total, and can be bought in bits over time (there are drills you can do with just a mask, just a mask and jacket, etc). The first piece of kit a beginner needs is a sword, and prices range from about 300€ to 3500+ (for a gorgeous hand made highly decorated poem of a weapon).

Longsword training
Credit: swordschool.com

Most beginners find an appropriate weapon for about 350€. Anyone who needs to be pursuaded to buy a sword is not likely to stick with the course long enough to need one. Most students have a sword on order within about 4 months of joining. Students progress to needing safety kit in usually 3 to 9 months depending on how hard they train.

Cutting practise
Credit: swordschool.com

A few words about Mr. Guy Windsor, the owner of the School of European Swordsmanship.

Mr. Guy Windsor
Credit: swordschool.com

Born in Cambridge, England in 1973, Mr Windsor received his first lessons in classical fencing at the age of nine from his grandfather, Hector Apergis. In the 1920s Dr Apergis fenced with Leon Paul, himself a student of the great Afred Hutton. Mr Windsor took up karate in 1985 and sport fencing at school in 1986, specialising in the foil for four years before adding the sabre. Becoming disillusioned with the sporting approach, he began his studies in T'ai Chi Chuan, Okinawan Kobudo and Aikido in 1992. During his first year at Edinburgh University, Mr Windsor met Paul Macdonald and together they decided to form the Dawn Duellists Society.

Mr Windsor first came to Helsinki, Finland, on a student exchange in 1994-1995. After returning home, Mr Windsor taught fencing at the DDS until, in September 2000, he decided to teach swordsmanship full-time. In March 2001, he opened The School of European Swordsmanship in Helsinki.

Mr Windsor has worked his way backwards through the history of fencing, specialising at first in the smallsword with a particular fondness for the work of Donald McBane. His rapier method is currently an interpretation of Capo Ferro's treatise of 1610. His longsword method forms the basic training of all new students, and is largely based on Fiore dei Liberi's treatise of 1410, though Vadi's of 1482-5 is also influential. The sword and buckler method in I.33 (ca. 1300) is the latest addition to the SESH curriculum. Mr Windsor also particularly enjoys practice with spadroon, dagger, spada da lato and cavalry sabre. The emphasis in all his training is on the martial effectiveness and historical accuracy of the techniques.

For many years Mr Windsor has been particularly interested in the internal, meditative and medical aspects of swordsmanship. To this end, he incorporates massage and herbal medicine at an early stage in his students' training and his study of Western shamanic techniques forms the basis of the more advanced internal and spiritual training.

Mr Windsor divides his time between his own training, teaching at his salle in Helsinki, and taking workshops across Finland and abroad.
He was invited to join IMAF as an acknowledged instructor in July 2001, and accepted in January 2002. In February 2004, he decided to leave that organisation.

He is also known as a writer, his book on the longsword The Swordsmans's Companion was published by Chivalry Bookshelf in 2004, and The Duellist's Companion, on the rapier, in 2006.

More information available at swordschool.com.

Pan-Historical European Martial Arts Society (PHEMAS)

2008-02-25T03:39:00.001-08:00

Credit: phemas.com

Pan-Historical European Martial Arts Society (Singapore) is a group of dedicated exponents of Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA). They are mostly concentrating on the Late Medieval Longsword techniques of Fiore di Liberi, but they will eventually branch out to cover Medieval Sword and Shield (MSS I.33) and Capo Ferro Rapier (1610AD).

PHEMAS was registered as a society in July of 2005. It's the first group in Singapore, which embarks on the journey of rediscovering and reconstructing Historical European Martial Arts systems.

Credit: phemas.com

Fiore created a complete system. That is, a martial arts system that is built around a set of simple and effective guiding principles and applied to the large range of weapons that a gentleman in the 15th century would have to master. The core of the system is learnt in the Abrazare (unarmed) section if the manuscript. In this section, a novice would learn the principles of body mechanics to defend themselves against unarmed opponents as well as attacks with the dagger. There is a large focus on footwork throughout the training as there is with all sword arts and the Abrazare is also a great way for the novice to master his/her feet and balance.

First of all, take a look at recommended swords for training:

Credit: phemas.com

From Left to Right:

Wooden Longsword ‘Waster’ from Purpleheart Armouries
Angus Trim AT1548 Longsword
Pavel Moc ‘Embleton’ Longsword
Angus Trim ‘AT1431’ Arming Sword
Darkwood Armouries ‘2 Ring Economy Hilt’ Rapier
Pavel Moc ‘Durer’ Longsword
Basic Mk1 wooden stick

Training in Fiore at PHEMAS requires a Longsword. Beginner levels will be required to purchase a wooden waster in the beginning due its reduced cost and speed of delivery. The basic Mk1 wooden stick may be used until their waster arrives but as it’s not actually a sword, it is not encouraged for anyone to use this longer than absolutely necessary.

Eventually, a steel sword will be required and all members are asked to check the suitability of their purchase for training before they buy. Unsafe, sharp or decorative swords will not be approved for use in normal PHEMAS training.

A Historical Kit for trainging. Credits: phemas.com

An Alternate Kit. Credits: phemas.com

There are two kits of dress which can be used in training. As the name implies, Historical Kit is the gear that a Medieval knight or man-at-arms would have worn into combat. Such kit is encouraged as we are a Historical society. HK is expensive and most times, heavier than modern alternate safety gear.
Alternate Kit consits of a 1600N fencing mask, a pair of padded gloves, comfortable shoes and an approved sword (wood or steel). It used with the standard uniform of plain, black pants and white t-shirt.

PHEMAS don't follow the sword techniques shown in movies. Theatrical swordplay is an art to itself and has it's own goals, namely in being visually pleasing. They provide training under the syllabus created by Mr. Guy Windsor of the School of European Swordsmanship, Helsinki, Finland.

The guards, various cuts and methods of dealing with an opponent’s cuts will all be covered. During PHEMAS training, there is a heavy focus on control and timing of the cuts. To help build these skills, Mr. Windsor has developed a series of single and paired memory drills. These drills not only teach the correct cuts, footwork and responses, they are also important for teaching distance and control.

The First Remedity Position. Credits: phemas.com

Novice swordsmen/women can not expect to engage in free sparring until they are more advanced in their training as a high degree of skill and control is required for safe swordplay. In order to attain this skill, a series of stress drills of varying intensity will be employed. These are well designed to teach quickness of mind and trust in one’s skills in a controllable environment.

For more information about the PHEMAS, please visit http://www.phemas.com.

Kazue Matsumoto: Master of respect

2008-01-22T05:01:00.000-08:00

By Tony Grant
He has inspired many generations to learn the ancient art of karate.
For the past 25 years, Far Northerners wishing to learn the graceful yet mysterious martial art of karate have flocked to a building which, over its tenure, has become somewhat of a shrine to the disciples of sensei Kazue Matsumoto.

Today the 65-year-old Japanese instructor still presides over classes catering to all ages and abilities and stresses "you are never too old to learn".
He should know. He has reached a superior level of knowledge, attaining a black belt 7th Dan through a grading system which awards participants on their knowledge and ability to perform a series of moves.

Credit: carins.com.au

While karate has been his life’s passion, the easygoing Kazue had a very different career in the marine industry prior to his arrival in Cairns in 1975.
A graduate from Tokyo’s University of Fisheries, where he studied pearl biology and saltwater cultivation, Kazue was employed by one of Japan’s largest companies in that field. He was eventually offered a posting on Thursday Island in 1966 and settled there. It was while on the tropical island that he set up his first dojo (school).
The teaching of children has been one of Kazue’s most satisfying achievements in his 55-year involvement with the ancient art.
After completing his contract on Thursday Island in 1975, Kazue planned to move south. He travelled to Cairns, Mackay and Townsville before settling in Cairns.
Fortune was to smile on the sensei and his students because in their search for a suitable site for the dojo, they discovered a block of land which was, at that time, centrally located and had recently been purchased.
So determined were they to make it their own, the students chipped in to buy the land, which the owner eventually sold to them for $10,000.
They then mortgaged the land to raise money for the dojo’s construction and luck was again on their side when faced with the next hurdle.
The dojo was built and opened in 1982 with the aid of many students who were in the construction and related industries. The group also ran raffles at local pubs to help pay off the bank loan.
In the following 15 years the sensei estimates that at least 10 per cent of the Cairns population attended classes at the Matsumoto Academy and many remain dedicated to the art.
However, the sensei says he has noticed a change in the nature of students taking up karate.
Teaching the Shito-Ryu style, one of four official styles of karate, the sensei’s success in transforming a normal member of the community in to an exponent of one of Japan’s finest exports has been recognised in the Asia-Pacific region.
At the age of 18, Kazue learned Iai-do, the art of drawing the sword – a style taken from the great horsemen and warriors some 500 years ago.
The graceful discipline is similar to kendo but differs in that it uses a real sword as opposed to kendo’s bamboo "weapon".
As his interest grew, so too did his reputation for his knowledge of these traditional swords.
Having been asked to view the sword of a collector in Cairns, similar to one Kazue used during an exhibition at the opening of the dojo, his curiosity was sufficiently aroused to uncover its history.
The sword was taken from the official surrender ceremony in Bali and brought to Australia.
Kazue has discovered as many as 300 samurai swords in the north Queensland region, most of which are used as ornaments but are steeped in history dating back hundreds of years.
The sensei has a collection of swords. Each with colourful stories and extensive histories. Some are more than 500 years old and have beautifully maintained handles with glistening blades as sharp as the day they were made.
It is surreal to hold these heavy implements of combat that were so masterly handcrafted.
Kazue says the craftsmen would start with a 4kg piece of steel and hammer it for hours into the finished article, a 1kg fighting tool, before the specially made handle was attached.

'First Sword under Heaven' is discovered in Jiangxi tomb (China)

2008-01-17T04:15:00.000-08:00

A sword, said to be around 2,500 years old, has been discovered by Chinese archaeologists from an ancient tomb in the eastern province of Jiangxi.
The chief of the excavation team, Xu Changqing, has named the sword the "First Sword under Heaven."
The well-preserved sword, some 50 centimeters long, is black, gold and bright red. "A dragon pattern was carved on both ends of the scabbard, and the middle part of the scabbard was decorated with two rows of a W-shaped design," said Xu.
Two other heritage pieces dug out along with the sword from the same tomb have been named "First Mat under Heaven" and "First Fan under Heaven."
At least 1,000 relics have been found in the ancient tomb built in the late Spring and Autumn period (770-476 BC) since the excavation work was launched in January last year.
The archaeologists are studying the valuable artifacts in hopes of discovering who was buried there and what the relics reveal about the funerary culture of the period.

Source: news.xinhuanet.com

How to buy your first Medieval Sword

2007-08-02T01:49:00.000-07:00

By Will Kalif

If you always wanted to own a medieval sword to hang on the wall, show to your friends, or bring with you to a Renaissance Faire this guide will help you to make a good first purchase.

Sword buying can be a very confusing process. There are thousands of sellers, hundreds of manufacturers, and a dozen different types of metals that swords are made out of. But you shouldn’t worry too much about any of this. If this is your first sword then you should make it a pleasurable experience by getting the sword that looks and feels right for you. If you stick with a reputable seller then the sword should be of a good quality that will give you many years of worry free enjoyment and maybe even start you on a sword collecting hobby.

Get your hands on some swords if possible

First and foremost you should, if possible, visit a retail or wholesale store that has a wide variety of swords that you can actually hold and handle. If this means taking a twenty-five mile trip in the car then it is worth the time and effort. Bring with you a small notebook so you can take notes about the different swords you like and write down the different manufacturers and model numbers so you can do some online comparison shopping for price bargains. It is important to actually hold the sword and see it because the feel of a sword is difficult to convey on a website.

If you are going to buy a sword online

If you cannot visit a place that sells swords and you absolutely have to buy one online here are a couple of things you should do. Make very careful note of the weight of the sword then get yourself something that weighs the same and hold it in your hands. You will be surprised how this feels and there is a very big difference between a sword that weighs two pounds and one that weighs four pounds. You should also note the length of the sword then use a measuring tape to get a feel for the actual size of it. I would recommend you even cut a piece of cardboard into the shape and size of the sword you are thinking about buying. You can hold this cardboard mock up, swing it around and even pin it to the wall to get an idea of how it will look on display.

Deciding why you want a sword

The first and foremost decision you have to make is why you want the sword. This will greatly help you in choosing your first sword. There are two main reasons I will describe here. If you want a sword to hang on the wall as a display piece that you occasionally take down to show to friends then you should look for a sword that comes with a wall mount display or a rack display all in one package. Because medieval swords come in many different shapes, sizes, weights, and lengths buying a sword then trying to match it up with a rack can be a tricky process. I recommend you get a sword that comes with the rack or wall mount.
If you want a sword to wear as part of a costume or as an accompaniment to Renaissance Faires and Role Playing events then you should get a sword that comes with a belt and scabbard. Again, because swords come in a tremendous variety of sizes, finding a scabbard can be a very difficult task.

Narrow your decision down to one of the three basic types of Medieval Swords

Because there are thousands of different swords you should figure out which of the three main types of swords you want to get.

Replicas of original swords– You may want to get a sword that is a replica of an authentic sword such as a Scottish claymore, Japanese Katana, or Spanish rapier.

Movie Replicas: - You may want to get a sword that you have seen in a movie and Lord of the Rings swords are very popular.

Fantasy Swords – These swords can have a very creative look, often times they have intricate handles and unique blade shapes.

So now you have narrowed you selection down to the use of the sword and the type of sword and you are ready to start looking at actually purchasing a sword. Here are some guidelines to help you make a good purchase.

New or used?

I recommend you only purchase a new sword from a reputable retailer. This way you have an ironclad guarantee that if there are any problems with the sword. You can just send it back and try another sword. The big online retailers such as Amazon or Overstock are perfectly suited to this. And if you find yourself looking at lesser-known sites or weapons specialty sites there are a few things you should look for. Does the site have the hackersafe guaranteed logo? Does it have a clearly posted customer support telephone number you can call?

Do your research and shop around before you buy

The Internet has brought with it the ability to gather information from a lot of different resources. Search the web for sites, forums, and articles on swords and the particular sword you want to buy. Take lots of notes so you can make an informed decision.

Swords have a two thousand year history and there are many manufacturers, sellers, collectors, and experts of swords. But when it comes down to your first sword you should decide on the sword that is going to make you happy and not worry about all the details that can easily cloud your decision. Get a sword that looks and feels right for you and get it from an established and well-know retailer and you will have a sword that will bring you years of enjoyment and maybe even start you off on a new hobby.

Source: Free Articles Zone

Japanese Samurai Swords Buying Guide

2007-07-04T00:17:00.000-07:00

By: The Samurai Man

When it comes to samurai swords, there is quite a bit of terminology for the new collector to understand. But we want to make it easy for anyone to find a good quality samurai sword that will last a lifetime, no matter if you are looking for one of the very sought after Paul Chen Katana swords for battle or just a quality sword to hang over the mantle.

The first thing to consider for your new samurai sword is the type and quality of the blade. If you're looking for a you want to be sure and choose a full tang blade, which all of our authentic samurai swords feature as well as all of our battle ready swords. The term "full tang" means that the blade and the part of the sword under the Tsuka (handle) is one long piece of steel. If you get a sword that is not full tang then you are basically buying it to hang on the wall and nothing more.

The next thing to consider when choosing a sword is the type of steel that the blade is made of. There are basically 3 types of steel, 420 J2 (Stainless steel), High Carbon, and Folded steel. If you are looking for a battle ready sword you will want to stay away from the 420 J2 Stainless. High carbon steel is very high quality steel; however folded steel is the strongest. Actually it is not that the folded steel is a different type of steel, but how the blade is forged.

A folded steel blade is typically made from high carbon steel. The difference is that a folded steel blade is just like it says; the steel is folded over and over again until the smith believes that it is adequate.

Some people say that a good high carbon steel blade can be just as strong as a folded steel blade. The smiths for the Thaitsuki Nihonto Swords claim to have mastered a form of forging high carbon steel blades that is just as strong if not stronger than many of the folded steel blades.

When choosing a sword samurai sword there are basically 3 different styles to consider, the katana sword, the Wakizashi sword and the Tanto sword. The Japanese Katana Sword is the most popular among collectors and martial arts students alike.

The katana sword was the first and is still the most popular of all samurai swords. The blade is typically 29” long with an overall length around 40”

The Wakizashi sword is the shorter companion blade of the katana sword. We first see the Wakizashi sword during the Muromachi period (1568-1603). The Wakizashi was about 18” long and only allowed to be carried by a samurai. Carrying both the katana and the Wakizashi was popular for the next few hundred years.

The smallest samurai sword would be the tanto sword or dagger. Originally tanto swords were 12” in length or less but it is not out of the ordinary to come across a Tanto that is 15” long.

Samurai sword collecting is a very popular past time for many Americans. Something that is becoming even more popular is martial arts that make use of samurai sword for fighting and cutting exercises. The most popular and affordable authentic samurai swords are the Paul Chen Swords. You can find a decent Paul Chen Practical Katana Sword for under $200. However for less than a hundred more you can get yourself a Paul Chen Practical Plus Katana. If you are looking for something a little more pricy the Paul Chen Bushido Katana or the Orchid Katana will last a lifetime and can take quite a beating. The Orchid and Bushido also come in a Wakizashi and Tanto.

In conclusion, the most important thing when buying your sword is that you know what kind of blade you're getting. If you want a functional sword be sure that you're not getting one that's only made to hang on the wall. If it's not clearly stated on the page for the sword, don't hesitate to contact the store to ask any questions you might have.

Source: articledashboard.com

Spanish knives and Spanish pocket knives

2007-07-03T06:01:00.000-07:00

From the beginning, Spanish knives and Spanish pocket knives have enjoyed world fame. The designs vary enormously in both shape and size: bowie knives, knives from the Canaries, kitchen knives, bayonets, machetes, Chilean 'corvo' knives, Chilean 'atacameño' knives, 'remate' knives, swiss army knife, boning knives, folding knives, survival knives and limited edition knives.

There is also great variety in the materials used to finish the knives and pocket knives. These include red deer antler & bone, bull horn, goat horn, cow bone and many others. The majority of our blades are composed of 440 stainless steel with our simpler models being composed of 420 stainless steel.

All the natural materials used in finishing the knives must be prepared using techniques that have been handed down over generations. These techniques bring out the best in the materials and, in many cases, take several months to complete.

Some of our knives are standard issue in the Spanish, German, Dutch, Indonesian and Estonian Armies, as well as in the Spanish and French Police forces, and organisations like the UN and UNESCO.

Here it is: http://www.aceros-de-hispania.com. Too much pictures, and lots of information.

Napoleon's Sword Sold For $6.4 Million

2007-06-17T05:34:00.001-07:00

FONTAINEBLEAU, France - A gold-encrusted sword Napoleon wore into battle in Italy 200 years ago was sold Sunday for more than $6.4 million, an auction house said.

The last of Napoleon's swords in private hands, it has an estimated value of far less-about $1.6 million, according to the Osenat auction house managing the sale.

Applause rang out in a packed auction hall across the street from one of Napoleon's imperial castles in Fontainebleau, a town southeast of Paris, when the sword was sold.

Osenat did not identify the buyer, but said the sword will remain in Napoleon's family, which had put it up for sale. The auction house did not immediately elaborate on the details.

The intricately decorated blade is 32 inches in length and curves gently-an inspiration Napoleon drew from his Egyptian campaign, auctioneer Jean-Pierre Osenat said.

The sword was carried by Napoleon-who was not yet emperor-into the battle of Marengo in June 1800, when he launched a surprise attack to push the Austrian army from Italy and seal France's victory, auction house officials said.

After the battle, Napoleon gave the sword to his brother as a wedding present, and it was passed down through the generations, never leaving the family, according to the auction house.

The sword was declared a national treasure in 1978, meaning that under French law it could be sold to a foreign buyer but had to remain in France for at least five months per year.
Source: Yahoo! News

The Greek Swords

2007-04-30T09:23:00.000-07:00

The Greeks known for big achievements in politics, mathematics, sculpture, literature and philosophy, were fearsome warriors as well. There have been few military units as devastating in their time as the Greek phalanx. Heavily armored and insanely well trained, these soldiers were capable of standing against any and all challengers. Fighting for one's country was an unswerving responsibility among the Greek city-states. Even the poets of the time were tough bastards; most of them wrote only of warfare, courage, resolve and beating the snot out of your enemies.
Greek warriors fought in a phalanx; a unit of heavily armored men that fought in rows, with large shields (hoplons), long spears and short swords.

The Greek swords were dual-purpose weapons with leaf-shaped blades. These blades were designed for both cutting and thrusting. Above all else, the Greek hoplite was a spearman protected by his bronze-covered shield, fighting in a phalanx of spearmen formed up in a line so many ranks deep.
Greek swords usually feature fancy hilts and a scabbard decorated with ancient Greek scenes. They were often gold finished honoring one of the ancient world`s greatest warrior kings - Alexander. This sword commonly called a hoplite sword was named after the heavily armed Greek foot-soldier of the classical period. The hoplite sword was essentially a slashing weapon and was generally worn slung from a baldric over the right shoulder so that it hung almost horizontally on the left. The Greeks used Machaira and Xiphos for describing sword. They were made to a high quality from high carbon steel and twice tempered to achieve a high Rockwell hardness, before being polished.

The Machiara and the Falcata (different names for similar swords) were effective and devastating weapons and quite capable of shearing a bronze helmet. The Greeks were feared warriors, with spear and shield being the primary weapon and armor.

However, once the battle had joined and became hand-to-hand, the Machaira and the sword were available to strike terror into the toughest foe. Witness the destruction of the Persians in their abortive attempts to conquer the Greek city states.
Thus, paradoxically, although sword fighting was not taught during basic training, it required much more skill and training than spear fighting. Hence a demand arose for extra private tuition in skill-at-arms, in which sword fighting played an important part. Parents with sufficient funds were more than willing to pay for this extra instruction. Instructors, known as hoplomachoi, 'fighters in arms', are first mentioned in literary sources located in the last quarter of the fifth century BC. We know of five hoplomachoi from this period by name: Stesileos, the brothers Euthydemos and Dionysodoros of Chios, Phalinos of Stymphalos (who later served as military adviser to the Persian General Tissaphernes at the battle of Cunaxa in 401 BC) and Diomilos of Andros.
The first type is best described as a recurved sabre. Shaped like a Gurkha kukri or a yataghan, the back of the blade curves forward, and the main weight of the weapon lies near the tip. The cutting edge is on the concave side. The hilt sometimes ends in the shape of a bird or animal head, or curves back to guard the knuckles in the shape of a 'knuckle-duster'. The weapon is often shown being used in a backhand cut. A good example of this is a vase in Bologna that shows an Amazon hoplite swinging a recurved sabre back over her left shoulder. She is about to deliver a diagonal slashing stroke to her front and right with it. Recurved sabres are very common in Iberia, but all these examples seem to be later in date, and it is possible they represent a later spread in the use of the weapon out of the Greek world to the west.
Finally the Greeks also used a third type of sword, not previously distinguished from the recurved sabre by Greek archaeologists, which, in comparison with the standard terminology used for medieval weaponry, we might best term a 'falchion'.

Other suitable terms might be 'backsword' or 'pallasch'. It also had a heavy single-edged blade, whose back was either straight or slightly concave, but not recurved like the sabre described above, while the edge has a pronounced convex curve and broadens considerably towards the point. Like the recurved sabre the falchion also came into use in the later 6th century. The falchion is only shown on a limited number of vase paintings, and its popularity does not seem to have survived long into the 5th century.

About Japanese Katana Swords

2007-04-26T12:10:00.000-07:00

The katana emerged in the sixteenth century as a curved, single-edged weapon of the Samurai warrior class in Japan. When paired with a shoto (short sword) such as a wakizashi or the dagger-like tanto, the result is a daisho, a pair of swords worn representing the honor, social power and the very soul of the Samurai warrior. The longer katana was used in open combat primarily for cutting, slashing, and parrying maneuvers, while the shorter blades were used for close-quarters stabbing as well as seppuku, or ritual suicide. Katana swords were traditionally worn the edge facing up, and the art of drawing and attacking an enemy, known as iaido took years to master its many intricacies.

Although the traditional intention of the katana is no longer historically appropriate, there are several reasons to pursue a quality Japanese katana in today's world. For one, the art of sword making is highly regarded throughout the world, and particularly in Japan, making authentically made weapons highly collectible. The variations of folded steel can create a hada (grain) pattern of rare beauty, and the crafting of various fittings along with the tempering process of the steel combine to produce a true work of art in the purest sense.

The Practical Katana gives the martial artist the opportunity to own and use a Hanwei sword at the cost of an economy sword. The blade is forged and differentially tempered; using similar process as the more expensive blades. The temper line may be faked, but it is prominent. Cost savings are affected by using fittings that, while making no claims to authenticity, are very strongly built to withstand the rigors of cutting exercises in the dojo. The Practical Katana is an inexpensive functional sword and is a perfect buy for a student that is just starting out and doesn't want to risk damaging a more expensive sword.

The Bushido Katana has a hand-forged & folded powder steel blade, differentially tempered using a traditional claying method. The temper line (hamon) is evident and prominent and the grain pattern (hada) shows distinct layers. The saya are deeply lacquered in gold with inlaid brass cherry blossom (sakura) flowers. High quality ray skin (same) is used on the tsuka of the katana and wakizashi, while the tsuka of the tanto is a gold-plated brass with a battle-scene decoration in relief. The tsuba of the katana and wakizashi is of blackened and bronzed iron, with detailing in gold and silver and a battle scene decoration. The tsuka-ito on the katana and wakizashi and the sageo on all three pieces are woven from premium Japanese cotton. The fuchi and kashira are of blackened bronze with brass detailing, and the kojiri, koiguchi and kurikata are of polished buffalo horn. The blade collar (habaki) is a one-piece brass construction. The katana and wakizashi blades are un-grooved, while the tanto blade is grooved (bo-hi) on both sides. The katana and wakizashi have medium-length (chu) kissaki. Matching wakizashi and tanto are available. The Bushido Katana maybe expensive, but is well worth it. The blade is forged and folded from blue powder steel, which is one of the most durable and purest types of steel you can use to forge a sword. Even though the quality of the steel doesn't require it to be folded, it certainly doesn't hurt.

When buying a Samurai sword, you will find that a set of two swords is the norm, with a Wakizashi accompanying the Katana. The Katana is the longer of the two swords, normally measuring more than 24 inches. They are usually displayed on a black lacquered, wooden rack to match the customary sheaths. Some of the highest quality swords ever made used over 1,000 folds of folded carbon and raw iron. The blade was coated with specialized clay to allow for differentially tempering the cutting edge. The Katana can be used with one or two hands. Its size and thick, curved blade make it better suited for draw cuts rather than the fencing thrusts of a rapier.

Sword Care: Sharpening tips

Never sharpen antique or expensive swords by yourself. With stainless steel decorator swords, it is okay.

Avoid mechanical sharpeners as they override the sectional geometry of your sword and impose a bevel to the edge which is suited mostly for kitchen knives.

With antiques - especially antique Japanese swords - the process of sharpening and polishing is one single process.

Consult a trained Japanese sword polisher for Japanese swords.

With swords of other cultures, it may be advisable to consult with an expert; in most cases, leave the patination intact, as this protects the blade steel already.

Do not needlessly sharpen antiques lest you destory the intrinsic value of the sword.

Caring for your sword will help make it last for generations. Most of the supplies mentioned below can be found at martial arts supply stores or better hardware stores.

Oil - Always keep your blade lightly oiled to prevent rust. We recommend Japanese sword oil or refined clove oil.

Hilts - Care for wooden hilts as you would any fine wood. Wood dries out with time and use and must be oiled. Use a fine furniture oil, not a furniture wax or an oil containing wax. Polish wire-wrapped hilts as you would your blade but be sure to remove all the polish (a toothbrush works well for this).

Storage - If the blade is store for more than a few weeks, do not store it in the scabbard. Wipe the blade down heavily with oil, wipe the wood down with furniture oil, and store in a cool, dry place.

Classic Greek Swords

2007-01-29T02:04:00.000-08:00

The Greek Hoplite was a tough, effective citizen-soldier, and was ferocious in defense of his home city. While the Hoplite would fight fiercely amongst themselves, they were even more fierce in the fight against invaders, such as the Persians. Spear and shield were the principal classic Hoplite weapons, but swords were also carried, and when the spears were broken, the Hoplite sword came out.
The Hoplite sword had the leaf shaped blade that was quite popular throughout the ancient world and is based on many illustrations and excavated sword examples. Sword guard and pommel are made of steel with the sword grip of wood covered with leather. This battle ready sword is high carbon steel with a leaf shaped blade capable of keeping an edge. Scabbard is wood covered with leather. One of the finest of the ancient world's, battle ready classic Hoplite weapons.

The sword which was used by the officers (lochagoi) of the famous Spartan infantry for close combat at battles like Thermopylae and Plataies.

The short sword was ideal for close combat and extemely lethal in the hands of the trained Spartans.

Nodachi - the Great Field Sword

2007-01-25T05:06:00.000-08:00

Nodachi/Odachi swords are truly awesome cold weapon. It is a large, very large two-handed sword which devastate any enemy near the warrior using it. Just look at its pictures:

Nodachi have the same general appearance and design of a tachi though they are significantly longer. The nodachi was carried by foot soldiers and was designed as a weapon for war versus cavalry and open field engagements. Nodachi were generally used on open battlefields as their length made their use indoors or close quarters difficult. They were an effective weapon against cavalry, though they were not commonly used. Nodachi were infrequently used for several reasons:

The blade was more difficult to forge compared to a normal-sized sword
The nodachi required greater strength to properly wield
Weapons such as the naginata or nagamaki were arguably more effective for the same role on the battlefield.
During times of peace the sword was worn slung across the back as a symbol of status. This is distinctive because most Japanese swords such as the katana, wakizashi, and tachi were worn at the waist or belt; however it was not "drawn" from the back. The nodachi was more difficult to wield due to its abnormal size and weight, but like any weapon, could be extremely deadly if the warrior wielding it was skilled. The size of the blade made the nodachi a fearsome weapon when wielded by a skilled warrior. The length of the nodachi's hilt varied between twelve to thirteen inches (30 to 33 centimeters). Its cutting capability and range exceeded that of a katana, due to its weight and size. Legend says that a nodachi could cleave a warrior and his horse in half with a single blow.

In some Chinese martial arts, Pa Kua Chang being perhaps the best known example, oversized weapons are used for training purposes in order to condition the martial artist to handle a normal-sized weapon more efficiently (as is the case in Japanese martial arts with the suburito, a heavy wooden sword).

The Kage-ryu one of the very rare ryuha remaining that trains in the use of the Japanese long-sword (which they call choken).

The definition of Nodachi

The direct translation of "Odachi" is big thick sword. Often mistaken for Nodachi which translates to field sword. The term Nodachi is generally misused for Odachi.

The character for "O" means big or great. The characters for "DA" and "CHI" are the same as "TACHI", the older style of sword/mounts that predate the Katana (the "CHI" is the same character as Katana and the "TO" in Nihonto).

I think that to qualify as a Nodachi the sword in question must have a blade length of 3 shaku (90.9 cm) or more, however, as with most terms in Japanese sword arts, there is no exact definition of the size of a Nodachi. Generally speaking, swords that are longer than normal* ones are classified as Nodachi.

*The normal length of swords varied slightly depending on the period. During the Edo era, the average length of a sword was about 66 - 70 cms, however during the Heian and Kamakura era it was around 80 cm. Lengths varied during different eras because the methods of use varied also. During the Heian and Kamakura era Samurai rode on horseback which required a longer blade (about 80 cm). Samurai during the Edo era didn't usually ride horses, so a shorter (about 66 -70 cm) blade was more useful.

The history of Nodachi

It is believed that Odachi first appeared in the 5th Century. This has been proven by the fact that a 117.0 cm sword from the 5th Century was unearthed from an old mound in Kumamoto. A 137.9 cm sword was unearthed from a mound in Tochigi and dated to the 5th Century.
It was believed that some such swords were used by the Gods of Japanese mythology, however, most of the swords discovered so far have only dated to the 5th Century.
For example, in Japanese mythology the sword named "Hutsunomi-tamano-tsurugi" (in Kashima Shrine, Ibaraki) was believed to have been the sword that was given to the Emperor by a God to end a revolt. Now, research has show that the sword was made during the Heian era and is not the sword from the myth.
It seems the sword was an imitation piece, based on the sword used in mythology. This is the reason why some swords are believed to have been used by Gods. Another one of the reasons why people believed that the sword was used by Gods was due to the appearance of the sword. If the sword is large and awesome, it looks like the property of a God.

The purpose of Nodachi

The purpose of Nodachi can be categorized as follows:
a) As an offering to a Shrine or Gods. Some Nodachi were dedicated with prayer to win a war, others were placed in Shrines as legendary swords from mythology.
b) As a weapon. From explanations in old texts, such as "Heike-monogatari, Taihei-ki" tell us that Odachi were used by soldiers during battles.
c) As a symbol for an army. Some Nodachi are too long for practical use. They cannot be used in a battle but it is said that they could have been used as a symbol of an army, such as flags and spears. Further research is needed to confirm this idea.
d) As a trend during a certain period. Some swords were also used for ceremonies.
e) To show the swordsmith's skill.

The production of Nodachi

Nodachi are very difficult to produce. The requirements to make a good Nodachi are as follows:
a) A lot of steel is needed to produce a Nodachi and it takes longer to make than a normal sword. However to make a good Nodachi it is important to hammer the steel quickly. This requires great skill from the swordsmith.
b) A Nodachi is made with teamwork. Perfect teamwork is required to make a good one.
c) More skill is required in quenching and tempering a Nodachi than a normal sword.
d) Special facilities are required. For example the quenching tank must be bigger than that used for normal swords.
e) The method of polishing is different. Odachi need to be hung from the ceiling or placed in a stationary position to be polished, unlike normal swords which are moved over the polishing stones.

How to use Nodachi

Nodachi that were used as weapons were too long for Samurai to carry on their waists like normal swords. There were two methods in which Odachi could be carried. One method was to carry it on your back. This was impractical however, as it was impossible for the Samurai carrying the sword to draw it quickly. The other method was simply to carry the Nodachi by hand. The trend during the Muromachi era was for the Samurai carrying the Nodachi to have a follower to help him draw it.
Nodachi swordplay styles focused on downward chops and different wields to that of normal swords.

The use of Nodachi in early times

The Nodachi's importance died off after the Osaka-Natsuno-Jin war of 1615 (battle between Ieyasu Tokugawa and Mitsunari Ishida). Since then it has been used more as a ceremonial piece.
The two main reasons for losing popularity are:
1. Battles in fields did not occur after 1615.
2. The Bakuhu government set a law which prohibited holding swords above a set length (in Genwa 3 [1617], Kwanei 3 [1626] and Shoho2 [1645]).
After the law was put into practice, Nodachi were cut down to the shorter legal size. This is one of the reasons why Nodachi are so rare.
Nodachi were no longer of practical use, but were still made as offerings to Shinto shrines. This became their main purpose. Due to the amount of skill required to make one it was considered that their awesome appearance was suitable for praying to the Gods.
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