Basic Forging 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 $1100 and is limited to four students per session. A deposit of $200 is requested, refundable up to 30 days before session begins.

April 21-25
June 9-13
July 7-11
Sept 8-12
August 25-29

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Habaki Course

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 $300 and is limited to four students per session.

A deposit of $50 is requested, refundable up to 30 days before session begins.

June 14-15
Septemeber 13-14

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Koshirae Course - Carving and Shaping a Sword Mounting

Students will learn how to carve handles (tsuka) and scabbards(saya), as well as fitting tsuba, making 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 $1100 and is limited to four students per session. A deposit of $200 is requested, refundable up to 30 days before session begins.

May 19-23

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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. Silk for the wrap can be purchased from the school at $2.50 per foot. All tools are included.

The price of the course is $300 and is limited to four students per session. A deposit of $50 is requested, refundable up to 30 days before session begins.

May 24-25

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Kajioshi CourseKajioshi 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 $300 and is limited to four students per session.  A deposit of $50 is requested, refundable up to 30 days before session begins.

July 12-13
August 30-31