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Post by NH-Iaidoka on Jan 2, 2013 23:27:15 GMT
As a college professor of art who specializes in Japanese culture and art, is "into" Chanoyu, and has spent much time in Japan, practicing Iaido became sort of a a logical extension and a balancing perspective for me.
I will admit to reading Edgar Rice Buooroughs at a young age.... and loving the (Japanese rooted) characterization of the Star Wars Jedi, but can't say that either was the "spark" that ignited the interest in swordsmanship.
best,
...........john
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Post by walkingwolf on Jan 3, 2013 4:06:38 GMT
making wooden swords and fighting with the nieghbourhood kids. main influence was probily the Robin hood series on tv the the the one where Nazir carried 2 swords on his back and fought with both of them- i am still trying to figure out how to draw a sword when its strapped to your back.. conan, highlander, the princess bride. I have always been fascinated by the Norse and anglo-saxons and their tools,swords,sax and ships.
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Post by Maynar on Jan 3, 2013 7:03:31 GMT
Well, you can't, really.
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Post by Jack Tar on Jan 4, 2013 19:20:28 GMT
There were a couple of things in my case.
I wasn't particularly interested in swords, but my parents bought me a naval officer's sword when I graduated from AOCS.
Then I got stationed in Japan. I've always been interested in history, particularly military history. My dad's a WWII vet of the Pacific war, and there I was interfacing with Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force officers on a regular basis. Most of them are something of history buffs too.
So through social contacts I met some very experienced sword collectors, which is very expensive and restricted in Japan (I also met quite a few hunters and shooters the same way). I got to handle swords in their collection, and in turn they knew I had a western style sword so they asked me questions about it as well as western sword fighting.
Things sort of came together at that point. My interest in history developed into an interest in swords.
The effect it had was to intimidate me away from collecting Japanese swords. No offense meant toward the many enthusiasts here who collect and train with Japanese swords. And I'm no expert by any means. It's just the knowledge that there is no way I can ever afford anything that would even approach either the value or historical significance of the swords that people I still keep in touch with have in their collections that compels me to leave the Japanese swords to them. And in any case they did inspire an interest in me in the kinds of swords and swordsmanship they aren't familiar with. Western swords.
I did pick up an authentic kaigunto to go with my type 26 Nambu revolver; but then those are two items they can't have anyway as "war materiel" is illegal to bring back into that country. Only "art swords."
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Post by FLBandit on Jan 6, 2013 22:34:09 GMT
I've always been fascinated with blades of all kinds. As a kid me and the others in the neighborhoods would fight using sticks as swords! I also worked as a cook for awhile and always felt cool when I used the chef knives. I'd wanted a sword for years and happened across this forum and realized I could actually own a functional sword for much less than I had thought. I now have a Ronin and a Mushashi, and have my eye on a Viking longsword for my next one.
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