I was glad to hear of your course of study of Japanese culture. I believe this to be as important as hammer technique in forging a good sword. The Daimyo of Mino said that a warrior should have the sword in one hand and a brush in the other.

I look forward to meeting you one day. Until then, let me know how things are progressing from time to time.

If and when I decide to pay a visit to your school I will be glad to have a teacher such as yourself instructing me, even if you don’t take me on as an apprentice and I’m just there for a few weeks or classes.

Many thanks for your thoughtful and well written letter. I congratulate you on your scholastic efforts regarding Asian culture and language. Many people assume that sword making is a simple matter of hammering a piece of suitable steel into the shape of a blade. It is our view, however, that the successful smith must integrate the cultural, historical and spiritual elements of the tradition to achieve the desired end. My teacher, Mr. Nakajima, said one must know how to use a sword, understand the history, and study Buddhism to be a swordsmith. By the latter he meant that there must be a moral and ethical basis for the making of a weapon.

As a Marine, you will certainly get the martial arts training.

I don’t know of any swordsmiths practicing in Okinawa. Gabe tells me that it is a beautiful place, having been there on vacation when he was studying in Japan.

Apprenticeships in Japan are a possibility. There are some smiths willing to take on Western students. A working knowledge of the language is pretty much required. The minimum time required to obtain a license as a swordsmith is five years, so there are also visa requirements.

Should you be able to find the opportunity, we would welcome you here to try your hand at the craft and see how you like it.

Meanwhile, please stay in touch and let us know of your progress.

I am a 19 year old African American Mississippian student currently trying to get a minor in Asian Studies; taking classes in Japanese and Chinese thought and am learning the Chinese (mandarin) & Japanese languages, reason being I love the Asian culture. Mostly and mainly those 2 and more so Japanese than Chinese. I have always found that I was drawn to the swords made by the Japanese since I was a kid, even when all the kids around me said that a gun was the best weapon I was the odd ball out of the bunch that always said “No, Katana is the best weapon anyone can shoot a gun with no skills unlike a Katana and a Katana isn’t just a weapon but an art.” Though I have known and idolized sword-craftsmen for their brilliance, artistry, and workmanship in creating such strong and lean swords for years, I never new or gave thought to the process in which they were made except for brief curiosity. And after learning that the same art that I have come to appreciate is dieing out, I wish to learn it myself and do my part in keeping it alive.

Along with finding out the decline in sword craftsman I also learned that not many craftsman are interested in foreign apprentices for one or more reasons. I am a diligent worker with an obsessive personality (I will get what I have in mind done and will do what I have to to get it done even following orders I don’t like or agree with) and am passionate about things I find interesting or admire but unfortunately I don’t think a craftsman would take me under his belt because of the large amount of Americans coming and quitting because of the hard work.

I would like to learn how to craft these swords and I think it would help if I approached a master with some knowledge and a few years already under my belt to show that I can hold my own. Now in order to do this I have searched the web for any schools that teach sword crafting and found this site. I have been monitoring this site for at least half a year off and on for post and replies in order to get as much knowledge as possible before asking my questions and to help me make a decision.I have no previous experience in sword crafting and am willing to take regular classes before actually becoming an apprentice. I have read all the articals in the links you provide in replies. I am also planning to become a U.S.M.C officer when I get my first year of college over with so if you know any swords crafters and dojo’s in Okinawa could you let me know cause that’s where I want to and will try to get stationed as a Marine. Don’t get me wrong I know as a marine I won’t have free time and I don’t plan on doing any apprenticeship then but probably train in the art of sword play and do research into who would actually take me, and after my time as a marine is up start as an apprentice.

I don’t plan on taking classes right away probably in the next 2 or 3 years once I’ve saved up enough money to pay for classes before becoming an apprentice and enough to fly to Japan. Would $60,000 be enough to survive as an apprentice in Japan I know that the master provides everything but I don’t want to put them out taking care of the little things and things that might come up later. If at all possible could you provide any clues to any schools in Japan that teach both how to use a sword and how to craft one I’d like to be able to use the swords that I create and pass it down to my children if and when I have them.

Thanks for your inquiry regarding getting your son started in swords and smithing.

I usually recommend starting at the library or book store and getting a feeling for the process and materials used in the making of blades, including knives. There are some excellent books available, specifically “The Craft of the Japanese Sword” by Yoshindo Yoshihara, “The Complete Bladesmith” by Jim Hrousla, and anything by Wayne Goddard.

I also recommend taking some of the courses offered by The American Bladesmith Society [ABS] which has a school in Old Washington Ark. They have an excellent facility with top-notch instructors with an interesting and diverse curriculum. I have been a guest instructor there several times.

You can also take our Basic Forging Course. While we obviously teach the Japanese method, most of what is taught applies very well to western styles as well.

By the way, the Japanese style of forging is not necessarily superior to western methods. Many of the early broadswords were every bit as complex and sophisticated.