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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2008 7:49:40 GMT
It seems most (if not all) television is consumed with the hyperbole of the katana and samurai (sorry katanaphiles) . What can the Eurosword community do to show support for our portion of history in a factual light? Petition networks? Mass E-Mail? The sword loving community is large, judging by what you see in forums. MAYBE if ALL of us spoke out at ONE TIME things might change a little. Any ideas? I'm to stupid to organize something like a mass E-Mail or petition, but I sure would sign it or E-Mail it!! This isn't to make a East/West war, just solid East/West history. I hope I don't seem foolish, I just tire of a lot of people thinking our ancestors "picked fleas and threw rocks" while dominating the world.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2008 8:13:25 GMT
You can't overturn stupidity.
Those who look for information can find it. Those who don't care to look, generally refuse anything but their delusions.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2008 8:15:22 GMT
And dont forget that it's not poli........Well lets just not go there.
...............SanMarc.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2008 10:35:46 GMT
Yeah! I have the original Sword of Conan and it weighs 28 pounds. It's really authentically cast like they did in the movie too! ;D
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2008 10:47:40 GMT
I don't really equate misinformation with stupidity . I think people just choose to align themselves with whats been pushed on them and accept it without challenge. Why not challenge?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2008 11:38:17 GMT
Maybe you haven't heard of the documentary, "Reclaiming The Blade" ? This is a documentary solely focused on the Medieval and Renaissance blade. Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Karl Urban, Bob Anderson, and John Howe. It just so happens that SBG was one of the contributors to the project. www.apple.com/trailers/independent/reclaimingtheblade/As far as "dominating the world".... you may want to rethink that statement.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2008 11:58:49 GMT
My previous post was meant to be silly. Now, for the serious note since I am at home and have time to write (just worked 12 hours).
As an active participant in WMA and period events (faires, cons, etc), I have went to great lengths to educate people on what a real sword is and why I participate in what I do. I feel that if everyone makes a committment to do this, it will slowly begin to debunk myths; especially since interest in WMA is on the upswing.
The sad thing is the sword culture does not always mix well with a regular life; more so in some areas and professions than others. This has effected me in some pretty negative ways over the years. Some people will never listen to what you say, I've had hard enough of a time trying to explain why I have an interest in swords to coworkers, fellow soldiers, and relatives. Many people blow this off as an immature interest - which is a pretty big hurdle to overcome. So, some will never get it. Worse yet, some idiots will even scorn you for it. You should concentrate your efforts not defending your interest, but rather seeking out those that seem receptive.
I would say if everyone could convince three people to begin studying and collecting swords; that would be a tremendous step in the right direction to begin to educate the masses. I can honestly say that I have already done this. And I continue to do it daily. Before I wrote this post, I was making a copy of the Oakeshott Typology for a co-worker and am helping him select his first European sword this week (driving down to MRL).
As for exposure of the European sword, its slowly coming. The WMA community is enjoying an explosion of membership right now, a major sword movie is in the works, Renaissance faires are bigger than ever, and medieval/Renaissance historical fiction (ie, the Tudors, KoH, etc) along with the upcoming release of the new LoTR films (fantasy, but spurns historical interest in the youth) will bring even more recognition.
I think it falls on the sword collector himself/herself to take up the cross and do what they can on an individual basis to educate and introduce new people to a love for the European sword. It's how I was brought into it, and its how my children were brought into it.
This way, eventually, changes are bound to occur!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2008 12:54:45 GMT
James the DOMINATING THE WORLD thing is hyperbole itself ! Thanks for responding, I read your posts all the time, and I think you know what I mean. (minus exaggeration!).
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Marc Ridgeway
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"The best cost less when you buy it the first time." - Papabear
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Post by Marc Ridgeway on Dec 23, 2008 13:04:52 GMT
I grew up loving swords from a popular culture steeped with swords...all western....
Movies , books ,TV shows.... rapiers, long swords , knightly swords, Excalibur,Vorpal blades,sabers, cutlasses, and all manner of fantasy blades...... all western swords...
I am a katanaphile, but I had to seek out real information about Japanese swords , and learn about them over time.... popular culture had me so steeped in Euros , I loved straight swords, it took be years to appreciate the graceful sori of katana...
I know popular culture has changed to include much Japanese as well... but there has never been the void of Western swords that you claim exists from my perspective....
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2008 13:44:07 GMT
More information on the movie (Reclaiming the Blade) mentioned by James Gall is available here. www.reclaimingtheblade.com/main/As far as misinformation on TV and in the movies goes - well it isn't just swords. Ask anyone knowledgeable about any area of science, cars, computers, or firearms, how accurate TV and movies are and be prepared for an ear full.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2008 15:48:02 GMT
I think odingaard his it on the head. And it's not just regular people who often want to stick their fingers in their ears, there's people who actually LIKE swords who just don't want to hear the truth.
Case in point, I post on several Facebook sword groups(which are dead about 99% of the time). Most people who join those groups just want the word "sword" in their list of groups, so people go, "Wow! You like swords!". They never post, or simply make one post when they join about what swords they own("I own a Katana, it's made out of steel!").
Often, I will try my best to insert information into my posts. History, functionality, logic... Anything to both inform, and hopefully stimulate an actual conversation. Usually it just gets looked over, and makes no difference, but sometimes people actually get frickin' OFFENDED! One guy was talking all big how he wants a custom Daisho, and how a Daisho is a Katana, Wakizashi, AND a Tanto. I calmly explained that this is false, and this guy got FURIOUS because he "didn't ask" and how I had no place discussing such topics. Even better was when someone(possibly the same guy?) was listing his favorite swords and listed something he called a "hero's foil"... He didn't appreciate the fact that a foil is a non-lethal fencing tool, as oppose to a sword...
Then there's the people who just think you're being a elitist semprini for taking the time to write long, informative posts instead of mindless drivel. I love it when they yell at you for being "condescending" and "judgmental" while at the same time calling you names and cussing you out.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2008 16:44:13 GMT
You should concentrate your efforts not defending your interest, but rather seeking out those that seem receptive. ! Bingo. A lot of people don't care about swords and never will. And that's ok. I'll never care about a lot of things those people care about. Apart from profound idiocy (like say, swords cause insanity) that might pop up, does it really matter if they are missinformed? Most people are missinformed about most things! But... I do mention it a bit from time to time, and that way, I find those who are actually interested - and there are more than you would think! At work, out of 500 people, there are 5 who are doing some kind of sword-related activity... that I know of. That's 1%, but possibly more. Ancalagon
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2008 16:52:38 GMT
And that, Steak-Eater, is why I onmly post on well-moderated forums and rarely read anything that Isn't well-moderated...
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2008 17:03:35 GMT
And that, Steak-Eater, is why I onmly post on well-moderated forums and rarely read anything that Isn't well-moderated... I consider myself a missionary of sorts.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2008 1:47:57 GMT
HR, I am in complete agreance with you, I might not say much, (cant type for #$%) I try and convey good knowledge, (some times cant remember right, but part of getting old!) And it's nice here, on some of the motorcycles forums I'm on, I have to be on the defensive all the time because of those same nubmnuts!!!
..............SanMarc.
Common sense ain't all that common!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2008 2:49:22 GMT
Thank you James for the heads up on reclaiming the blade,this is what I joined up to hear ,not fights over how to cure a cold . At a show once I met a viking reenacter who asked if I thought the vikings would have used a chainsaw to cut the trees to build their ships. I said Of course they would ,they weren't stupid ,just limited as to what was available. Good god the earful I got back from this person,who admitted that he had never cut down a tree in his life, made me resolve to never try to enlighten anyone again. Some people are just so fixed in their view points,and just want an argument to spice up the day, not to gain knowledge. And ,Yes I've cut many a tree, saws are faster but I still love the feel and control of the ax.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2008 3:24:27 GMT
Thank you James for the heads up on reclaiming the blade,this is what I joined up to hear ,not fights over how to cure a cold . Yep, thats for sure....SanMarc.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2008 11:17:20 GMT
No problem guys! You know, i am one of "those katana guys" myself , but i love learning about all things. And i have to say that documentary is looking like an amazing watch. Can't wait to see it.... Still haven't bought my very first European sword yet, but i plan to just as soon as i feel comfortable enough with my knowledge of them. Want to make sure the first one is the right one, if you know what i mean.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2008 12:16:06 GMT
my love of the japanese sword stems directly for my love of japan itself everything from modern media and culture, right back through japanese history.
i appreciate european swords, i even own one that i thought was cool
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Dec 24, 2008 14:13:10 GMT
you know what I'm kinda the opposite of Kenpachi. I have always loved swords innately and the westerns are the one that have always rung true with me naturally, but my (reletively) recent apreciation of Japanese culture and history has piqued my interest in the katana which I had previously not had much interest in. now I love them too.
back on topic though, there is so much misinformation about all types of swords it is rediculous. I'm really looking forward to "Reclaiming the Blade" too.
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