Category Archives: Articles

Articles and Press regarding Dragonfly Forge, Tomboyama Nihonto Tanren Dojo, and other things sword related.

“Forged Art” by Teri Albert

“Michael Bell is both alchemist and artist. Using heat, hammers, and 40 years experience, he is a master swordsmith in the Japanese tradition.” Continue reading this article in The World newspaper by Teri Albert at theworldlink.com…

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“A Slice of Japan” – By Frank Knight – Ethos Magazine

“About 30 minutes outside of Coquille, Oregon, a small wooden marker written in kanji stands at the base of a hill. Another 15 minutes up the rough dirt road nestled amongst the trees of the rugged Oregon coastline sits the … Continue reading

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Unveiling Dragonfly Forge’s New Mon

Dragonfly Forge is proud to unveil our new mon, which will serve as a logo for our business and swordsmithing school. Our mon features three dragonflies facing outward, enclosed, like the majority of mon, within a bold circle. Mon are … Continue reading

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The Metropolitan Museum of Art – Art of the Samurai: Japanese Arms and Armor, 1156–1868 Exhibit

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is currently featuring an outstanding exhibit: Art of the Samurai Japanese Arms and Armor, 1156–1868. The ambitious loan exhibition will bring together 214 masterpieces, including 34 National Treasures, 64 Important Cultural … Continue reading

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So you want to become an apprentice swordsmith…

Some of the most frequently asked questions we receive are in regards to becoming an apprentice swordsmith. This article is meant to help answer many of the questions we are asked about apprenticeships. Michael Bell undertook a traditional five year … Continue reading

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Interview with Pieces

Michael Bell was recently interviewed by the online magazine Pieces, which seeks to explore the various materials that we use so often in everyday life and their multi-faceted functions. The current issue focuses on steel, it’s many applications in modern … Continue reading

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Swordsmithing – an ancient art

From The World Newspaper, Coos Bay, Oregon By Jo Rafferty Michael Bell started up the electric motor on a gigantic press he uses to shape the blades of Japanese swords. “Bam! Bam!” The dies clanked together on the approximately 3-foot-long … Continue reading

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Knife World-Michael Bell, Dragonfly Forge, by Dennis Ellingson

This article is also available in PDF format with photographs. I met Michael Bell on August 26, 1984 at a knife show in San Jose, California. It was a momentous meeting which I recall vividly. There were some star players … Continue reading

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Boston Museum of Fine Arts

Interactive Gallery Tour

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Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Interactive Tour of Japanese Arms and Armor

This link to an interactive tour by the Boston Museum of Fine Arts has some very nice detailed photos, mostly of tsuba and other koshirae fittings.  We especially love nice Higo openwork iron tsuba.

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