The 2009 school year for the Tomboyama Nihonto Tanren Dojo has been determined.
We will once again be offering classes in Basic Forging, Habaki, Koshirae, Tsuka-maki, and Kajioshi. Details on the courses can be read below.
This year we will offering a new seminar course covering the making of oroshigane steel. Details on the seminar can be seen below.
The month of October is unscheduled for the dojo at this time, although we may announce an October sword-making class in the future.
All of our classes run from 9 AM to 5 PM on the dates of the session. Lunch is provided.
Space in our school is limited per class, and a deposit is required to secure a seat. The remaining tuition is due on the first day of the course.
This is a hands-on course designed to give the student a working familiarity with the tools and metals utilized in the forging of a sword blade. Each student will forge his own blade of at least wakizashi length from forge-welded steel cable. Skills learned will include forging, grinding, filing and heat-treating, with attendant emphasis on metallurgy and proper shaping and aesthetics. All tools, fuel, and material included.
The price of the course is $1200 and is limited to four students per session. A deposit of $200 is requested, refundable up to 60 days before the session begins.
April 27 – May 2
June 1-5
July 20-24
September 7-11
October 12-16
A two day hands-on weekend course where the student will make a copper habaki. Skills learned will include forging and annealing the metal, hard-soldering, filing, shaping, polishing and decoration. All tools and materials required are provided.
The student should provide his own blade.
The price of the course is $400 and is limited to four students per session. A deposit of $100 is requested, refundable up to 60 days before the session begins.
May 3-4
June 6-7
Koshirae Course – Carving and Shaping a Sword Mounting
Students will learn how to carve handles (tsuka) and scabbards (saya), as well as fitting tsuba, fitting seppa and fitting fuchigashira to the tsuka. Included in the course is the making of mortise and tenon kojiri and koiguchi, and kurigata made from buffalo horn. Tools used are traditional saws, chisels, knives, and planes and will be on hand. Alder wood will be provided, although students may bring their own.
Tools and materials will be provided, but students should have their own sword blades with a well-fitted habaki, plus tsuba and fuchigashira.
The price of the course is $1200 and is limited to four students. A deposit of $200 is requested, refundable up to 60 days before session begins.
May 11-15
Tsuka-maki Course – Handle wrapping
A two day session covering the silk wrapping on a Japanese sword handle. The course will cover preparation of the handle before wrapping, folding the papers, measuring the tape, wrapping and tying the knot. Students should bring their own handles with ray skin already wrapped or inlaid. Silk for the wrap can be purchased from the school at $5 per foot. All tools are included.
The price of the course is $400 and is limited to four students. A deposit of $100 is requested, refundable up to 60 days before session begins.
May 16-17
Kajioshi means “smith shaped” and is the grinding of the blade prior to its being sent to a polisher. It has been observed that Western craftsmen, although comfortable with the technology, have a difficult time shaping the blade into a harmonious form. This course is designed to teach how to see and correct deficiencies in shape and geometry. Students should bring a sword blade where the shape is “just not right”. These will be studied and corrected, either by grinder or by water stone. Tools will be provided.
The price of the course is $400 and is limited to four students. A deposit of $100 is requested, refundable up to 60 days before session begins.
September 12-13
NEW FOR 2009!
This is a a three day event demonstrating the processes used to create sword quality steel, also known as oroshigane. Using charcoal we will carburize electrolytic sponge iron (denkaitetsu), and wrought iron. The result will then be prepared and sorted by carbon content. Finally, we will build a billet ready to forge into a sword blade.
The price of the seminar is $250 and is limited to ten students. A deposit of $ 50 is requested, refundable up to 30 days before session begins.
August 7-9
I look forward to attending the first class!
i would be interested in applying for a Basic Forging Course from April 27 – May 2.
i have no skills with sword forging. i am a toolmaker and in2008 i did one week introduction of swordsmithing in Guelph(Canada).
i really like this craftsmanship and i would be glad to learn in your forge.
What do i have to do for applying for this one week course?
All the best
Uwe Rossbacher
After reviewing this website I am very excited to apply to this school. I have no experience in this field but I would love to make a career out of the craft. Would I be significantly disadvantaged to take on these courses with no experience whatsoever in smithing and if so, is there any kind of preparation course/ class i can take before i sign up? Thank you for your time.