Category: Dojo News

News related to our swordsmithing school, Tomboyama Nihonto Tanren Dojo, Dragonfly Mountain Japanese Sword Forging School.

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Master Japanese Swordsmith Taro Asano returns to Dragonfly Forge for classes Summer 2026

We are thrilled to announce that Master Japanese Swordsmith Taro Asano will return to Dragonfly Forge again this summer for another series of exclusive classes!

The class lineup and schedule are as follows

Jul 30, 2026- Jul 31, 2026 – Introduction to Japanese “Samurai” Knife-Making Workshop

This workshop is designed for beginners and experienced craftspeople alike. Each student will create two unique knives forged from high-quality Japanese carbon steel

Aug 1, 2026 – Traditional Japanese Forging Immersion: A Seminar with Master Taro Asano

Experience the essence of Japanese swordsmithing in this one-day seminar with Master Taro Asano, as he shares his deep knowledge and passion for the ancient art.

Aug 3, 2026- Aug 9, 2026 – Advanced Traditional Japanese Swordsmithing with Master Taro Asano

A rare opportunity to work with authentic Japanese tamahagane, the “jewel-edge steel,” to create a traditional Japanese short sword under the guidance of a master Japanese swordsmith.

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Exclusive Japanese Swordsmithing Experiences with Master Taro Asano at Dragonfly Forge

Dragonfly Forge is thrilled to present a unique series of classes taught by licensed Japanese master swordsmith, Taro Asano. A highly respected artisan with close to three decades of experience, Master Asano embodies the spirit of traditional Japanese bladesmithing.

His journey began at the age of 13, culminating in a demanding six-year apprenticeship in Seki City, the heart of Japanese bladecraft. Under the direct tutelage of the 25th generation of the Fujiwara Kanefusa family, he learned the intricate techniques and philosophies that define authentic Japanese swordsmithing.

In 2004, he founded Asano Kajiya, later relocating to his hometown in Gifu Prefecture. Master Asano is renowned for his ability to craft both exquisite traditional swords and functional, everyday blades, seamlessly blending historical artistry with contemporary needs. He is also a passionate educator, actively sharing his expertise through lectures and workshops globally.

These exceptional workshops will be held at our school, Tomboyama Nihonto Tanren Dojo, Dragonfly Mountain Japanese Sword Forging School, located amidst the breathtaking scenery of the southern Oregon coast, in August 2025. Don’t miss this extraordinary chance to learn from a master craftsman dedicated to preserving and advancing the legacy of Japanese swordsmithing.

Introduction to Japanese “Samurai” Knife-Making Workshop – 2 days – August 7-8, 2025

Traditional Japanese Forging Immersion: A Seminar with Master Taro Asano – August 9, 2025

Advanced Traditional Japanese Swordsmithing with Master Taro Asano – August 11-17, 2025

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Dragonfly Forge: A New Chapter

We’re still here, and forging ahead! There is much to share with you! Dragonfly Forge has been evolving and our commitment to craftsmanship remains strong.

Master swordsmith Michael Bell of Dragonfly Forge, is transitioning to retirement from active teaching and sword production. After a long and distinguished career dedicated to the art of sword-making, he will focus on completing longstanding projects and exploring other creative endeavors. Though his presence in the smithy is less frequent, his profound legacy and the knowledge he has shared will continue to inspire.

As for Gabriel, he has been focused on Dragonfly Forge’s Portland-area knife and tool sharpening services and enhancing his bladesmithing skills. For over a decade, he’s provided professional mobile solar-powered sharpening to residents, restaurants and businesses. Find him seasonally at the Hollywood and the Woodstock farmers markets.

Thank you for all your inquiries  and messages. We are currently not accepting new orders or commissions for blades or restorations as we complete our backlog and explore new creative directions. To be notified of available pieces, please subscribe to our newsletter.

But BIG news about swordsmithing classes! 

Although we are not currently offering the usual lineup of classes, we’re excited to share that we will be hosting a very special series of hands-on Japanese swordsmithing experiences this summer! Subscribe to our school newsletter to be notified once registration opens.

We look forward to sharing more with you.

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2022 Swordsmithing Classes Scheduled

After two year of disrupted class schedules due to the global pandemic, we are happy to announce that the Dragonfly Mountain Japanese Sword Forging School will once again be scheduling forging classes for 2022.  

For now, we have planned three sessions of our most popular class, the Basic Japanese Sword Forging Course for 2022. Depending on the amount of interest, we remain open to scheduling a few more classes later in the year (August-September).  

We also have rescheduled a session of our Oroshigane (Steel-making) Seminar and an Intermediate Forging Course, but these classes are already full with students whose class was canceled in 2020.

The upcoming class schedule is as follows:  

March 19-20, 2022 – Oroshigane (Steel-making) Seminar

March 21-25, 2022 – Intermediate Tanto Forging Course

May 23-27, 2022 – Basic Japanese Sword Forging Course

June 20-24, 2022 – Basic Japanese Sword Forging Course

July 18-22, 2022 – Basic Japanese Sword Forging Course  

If you would like to attend a different class than we are currently offering, please let us know so we can consider adding it to the schedule.

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2020 Class Schedule


March 2020
Monday March 23 – Friday, March 27 – Basic Japanese Sword Forging Course

April 2020
Monday, April 27 – Friday, May 1 – Kajioshi-Habaki Combo-Course

May 2020
Monday, May 25 – Friday, May 29 – Koshirae/Shirasaya Course

June 2020
Monday, June 17 – Friday, June 21 – Basic Japanese Sword Forging Course

July 2020
Saturday, July 18 – Sunday, July 19 – Oroshigane (Steel-making) Seminar

Monday, July 20 – Friday, July 24 – Intermediate Japanese Sword Forging Course

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2019 Dragonfly Mountain Japanese Sword Forging School Class Schedule

2019

March 2019
Monday March 25 – Friday, March 29 – Basic Japanese Sword Forging Course

April 2019
Monday, April 1 – Friday, April 5 – Forging the Working Knife

May 2019
Monday, May 20 – Sunday, May 26 – Advanced Katana Forging Course

June 2019
Monday, June 17 – Friday, June 21 – Forging the Working Knife

July 2019
Monday, July 1 – Friday, July 5 – Basic Japanese Sword Forging Course

August 2019
Monday, August 5 – Friday, August 9 – Kajioshi/Habaki Combo-Course – CANCELED

Monday, August 12 – Friday, August 16 – Koshirae/Shirasaya (Scabbard & Handle) Course

September 2019
Monday, September 23rd – Friday, September 27th – Forging the Working Knife

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2018 Sword-making School Class Schedule

March 2018
Monday March 26 – Friday, March 30 – Basic Japanese Sword Forging Course

April 2018
Saturday, March 31 – Sunday, April 1 – Kajioshi Course

Saturday, April 7 – Sunday, April 8: Oregon Knife Collectors Association (OKCA) Knife Show in Eugene, Oregon

Monday, April 16 – Friday, April 22 – Advanced Katana Forging Course

May 2018
Monday, May 14 – Friday, May 18 – Basic Japanese Sword Forging Course

Saturday, May 20 – Sunday, May 21 – Introduction to Forging Bi-metal Woodworking Tools

June 2018
Monday, June 25 – Friday, June 29 – Basic Japanese Sword Forging Course

July 2018
Saturday, June 30 – Sunday, July 1 – Habaki Course

Monday, July 30 – Friday, August 3 – Kajioshi/Habaki Combo-Course

August 2018
Monday, August 6 – Friday, August 10 – Koshirae/Shirasaya (Scabbard & Handle) Course

Saturday, August 11 – Sunday, August 12 – Tsuka-maki (Handle-wrapping) Course

September 2018
Monday, September 3 – Friday, September 7 – Forging the Working Knife

October 2018
Monday, October 1 – Friday, October 5 – Basic Japanese Sword Forging Course

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“I have discovered the secret of sword-smithing: hard work.” – A student’s Journal during their time at Dragonfly Mountain.

Marcus Ranum, who attended our Basic Forging Course last October, shared his experience as a student at Tomboyama through a day-by-day journal of the class.

Dragonfly Forge trip report – main page

His descriptions and photos provide an excellent peek at the 5-day swordsmithing processes taught at Dragonfly Forge to transform a section of wire rope into a wakizashi, a Japanese-style short sword. He also touches upon the frustrations and triumphs of learning completely new skills. Marcus also shares the secret to swordsmithing: hard work.

Thank you Marcus for documenting your time with us and sharing it.

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2017 Tomboyama Nihonto Tanren Dojo (Dragonfly Mountain Japanese Sword Forging School) Class Schedule

March 2017
Monday March 27 – Friday, March 31 – Basic Forging Course

April 2017
Saturday, April 1 – Sunday, April 2 – Kajioshi Course

Saturday, April 8 – Sunday, April 9: Oregon Knife Collectors Association (OKCA) Knife Show in Eugene, Oregon

Monday, April 17 – Friday, April 21 – Basic Forging Course

Saturday, April 22 – Sunday, April 23 – Habaki Course

May 2017
Monday, May 15 – Friday, May 19 – Intermediate Forging Course

Saturday, May 20 – Sunday, May 21 – Kajioshi Course

Monday, May 29 – Friday, June 2 – Kajioshi-Habaki Combo-Course

June 2017
Monday, June 26 – Friday, June 30 – Basic Forging Course

July 2017
Saturday, July 1 – Sunday, July 2 – Kajioshi Course

Monday, July 24 – Friday, July 28 – Basic Forging Course

Saturday, July 29 – Sunday, July 30 – Habaki Course

August 2017
Monday, August 21 – Friday, August 25 – Koshirae Course

Saturday, August 26 – Sunday, August 27 – Tsuka-maki (Handle-wrapping) Course

September 2017

Monday, September 4 – Friday, September 8 – Basic Forging Course

Saturday, September 9 – Sunday, September 10 – Kajioshi Course

October 2017
Monday, October 2 – Friday, October 6 – Basic Forging Course

Saturday, October 7 – Sunday, October 8 – Habaki Course

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2016 Swordsmithing School Course Schedule

March 2016
Monday March 21 – Friday, March 25 – Basic Forging Course

Saturday, March 26 – Sunday, March 27 – Kajioshi Course

April 2016
Friday, April 10 – Sunday, April 12: Oregon Knife Collectors Association (OKCA) Knife Show in Eugene, Oregon

Monday, April 18 – Friday, April 22 – Basic Forging Course

Saturday, April 23 – Sunday, April 24 – Habaki Course

May 2016

Monday, May 16 – Friday, May 20 – Kajioshi-Habaki Combo-Course

Saturday, May 28 – Sunday, May 29 – Oroshigane (Steel-making) Seminar

June 2016
Monday, May 30 – Friday, June 3 – Advanced Forging Course

Monday, June 27 – Friday, July 1 – Basic Forging Course

July 2016
Saturday, July 2 – Sunday, July 3 – Kajioshi Course Course

Friday, July 15 – Sunday, July 17 – Introduction to Forging Laminate Wood-working Tools

August 2016

Monday, August 22 – Friday, August 26 – Koshirae Course

Saturday, August 27 – Sunday, August 28 – Tsuka-maki (Handle-wrapping) Course

September 2016

Monday, September 5 – Friday, September 9 – Basic Forging Course

Saturday, September 10 – Sunday, September 11 – Habaki Course

October 2016
Monday, October 3 – Friday, October 7 – Basic Forging Course

Saturday, October 8 – Sunday, October 9 – Kajioshi Course