Traditionally Hand forged  Japanese swords.
 Swords forged in strict adherence to Japanese tradition. 

    Many years have passed since I started on the path to make Japanese style swords. It began with my studies of the language and culture, which in turn deepened my interest in both the culture and the sword, as my studies revealed that both were deeply intertwined. While continuing my literary studies, I thought that some insight into the physical usage of the sword would complement my overall understanding. Thus, I began to study some sword arts including kendo. While continuing with these studies, I began to switch my emphasis on Japanese language and culture studies to an interest in forging Japanese style swords. I have been slowly and methodically developing my skills, and it has indeed been a long, hard road.
    The Japanese sword is very complex and unique with many important facets. Some of these are: the sugata(shape); the jigane with its integral surface pattern or jihada (the composition and appearance of the steel, and the resulting visible surface pattern or jihada left by repeatedly folding and forging the steel); and the hamon (the pattern of the hardened edge). Constructing each aspect of the sword presented a mountain of challenges, and it took years to understand and forge a sword correctly. Learning the proper techniques to make a real Japanese sword has required years of work, and there is always more to learn and master. However, finally, with the help and guidance of some of the most knowledgeable and skilled craftsman in the world, my years of hard work have started to lead to very satisfying results. 
    I am continuing to work very hard and vigorously, and trying to master the skills necessary to make a Bizen style choji midare hamon, and experimenting with traditional Japanese steel to produce a rich and beautiful jigane, similar to what is seen in traditional koto period swords

     A lifelong interest comes together and a path forms.....
1993:  First trip to Japan. Upon my return, the path to forging swords begins
2005: Traveled to Japan to visit a prominent swordsmith in order to observe and learn traditional Japanese foundation forging and to study and understand the process of making tamahagane.
2005:  Katana on exhibit in the Macao Museum of Art.
2006:  Began to make further efforts in my understanding of traditional methods and materials. This included extensive research into tamahagane.
2007:  Received mentoring and guidance from Leon Kapp who is greatly responsible for my renewed interest and work with Bizen style sword. Begin observing and working with Master Smith Yoshindo Yoshihara.
2008:  Spent time working with Yoshindo Yoshihara to further my understanding in the areas of tsuchioki and yakiire, among other things, and to gain additional insights and a better understanding of the hamon seen in Bizen swords, most particularly choji midare.
2008:  Tanto dedicated to Japanese Shinto shrine, Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America.

      To all that have helped me, I am forever grateful. Thank you.

My Swords:

     I employ traditional methods and traditional materials which are rarely, if ever, used outside of Japan. This adds a great amount of labor as well as cost. Its is my opinion that these materials and methods impart special qualities and characteristics to  a sword which are not possible to obtain by using any shortcuts or so-called improved modern methods. I am not criticizing what others do, only explaining why I proudly choose to put my faith in the traditional methods and knowledge which developed  over an 800 year period in Japan. Because I am interested in creating a Japanese style sword, using any other methods or approaches other than the traditional Japanese ones would appear to be futile effort for me. Furthermore, the Japanese sword has a very strong cultural significance in addition to it being a weapon. I think it could easily be considered disrespectful and arrogant for those outside of a culture to make substantial changes or even so-called improvements to something of this nature: these types of efforts will produce a sword, however these swords will not be true traditional Japanese swords. That is the real reason that I try so hard to follow the Japanese tradition.

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