Japanese Sword Society of the United States

01/09/2026

Added on 1/9/26 Vol 16 No 2 March April 1984
Shinkai, Matchlocks, Token Taikai 84, Musashi no Kami Kiyosada

12/12/2025

Some recent addtions to the JSSUS on-line acrchive.

Added on 12/12/25 Vol 12 No 3 June July 1980
Dallas Japanese cultural exchange, Some Side Benefits of Collecting, Further comments on sword prices, Masahide Oshigata controversy

https://www.jssus.org/1980V12no3_Dallas_Japanese_cultural_exchange_some_side_benefits_of_collecting_further_comments_on_sword_prices_masahide_oshigata_controversy.pdf

Added on 12/5/25 Vol 12 No 2 March April 1980
Izumi no Kami Kunisada, Ise Daijo Yoshihiro, Sword Pricing, SwordShows

https://www.jssus.org/1980V12no2_Izumi_no_Kami_Kunisada_Ise_Daijo_Yoshihiro_Sword_Pricing_Sword_Shows.pdf

Added on 11/28/25 Vol 12 No 1 January February 1980
Elections, 79 Shinsa, Stolen Tosogu, Nihonto Underpriced AZ Freeman, Juyo Ko Bizen Yoshikane

https://www.jssus.org/1980V12no1_elections_shinsa_stolen_tosogu_nihonto_underpriced_AZ_Freeman_Juyo_Ko_Bizen_Yoshikane.pdf

09/06/2025

Recent updates to the JSSUS web site archive :
https://www.jssus.org/

Added on 9/5/25 Vol 11 No 6 November December 1979
Show News, Dallas 1980 info, Juyo Token Nado Zufu on Kotetsu and Okinao, how to observe a high shinogi

Added on 8/29/25 Vol 11 No 5 September October 1979
JSSUS 1979 Meeting, Yoshikawa Interview, Bushido Magazine, Mino Kanemasu, Kurume Kiyochika

Added on 8/22/25 Vol 11 No 4 July August 1979
Token Taikai 79 Full Report, Uda Kunitsugu

Added on 8/15/25 Vol 11 No 2 March April 1979
More on the Token Taikai 79, Birmingham Sword Show Review, Tsuba Surface Study, Juyo Token Zufu Nado Kiyomaru, Rai School from Yamanaka

Added on 8/8/25 Vol 11 No 3 May June 1979
Token Taikai 79, Stolen Swords, Tsuba by Yumoto, Bizen Kiyomitsu and Sukesada, Thoughts on Polishing Hartman

Added on 8/1/25 Vol 11 No 1 January February 1979
Swords Stored in Museums and Libraries, Fujiwara Yukinaga, Rai School by Yamanaka

Club for the Study of Japanese Swords

04/12/2025

Recent additions to the Newsletter Archive

https://www.jssus.org/

Added on 4/12/25 Vol 10 No 2 March April 1978
Passing of Dr. Sato, Juyo Shinsa report, How to use Fujishiro books, Soshu Hiromitsu, Birmingham show with Dr. Suiken Fukunaga, Tokubetsu Juyo Norishige

Added on 3/28/25 Vol 10 No 1 January-February 1978
Birmingham Sword Show, Bizen Morimitsu, Repatination of Shakudo and Shibuichi, Rai Kunitoshi, John Yumoto, Juyo Shinsa

Added on 3/8/25 1977 / 1978 BULLETIN 70 pages

WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT THE NIHONTO IS A FINE ART ?: CONNOISSEURSHIP, TASTE AND APPRAISAL
AKIHIRA MIYAIRI (from Living National Treasures of Japan -1973)
A STUDY ON THE DIFFERENCES OF THE VARIOUS GENERATIONS OF HIZEN (PROVINCE) MASAHIRO (Token B1jutsu -1975)
POLEARMS
TANTO MONOGATARI -THE STORY OF TANTO SWORDS (a Translation)
THE SOSHU TRADITION
THE SWORD OF JAPAN: ITS HISTORY AND TRADITIONS (Asiatic Society of Japan paper -1882)
CANADA IS MY KATANA
OSAFUNE SWORDSMITHS OF BIZEN PROVINCE DURING THE SHINTO AND SHINSHINTO PERIODS
SUKESADA LINEAGE
GLOSSARY OF SWORD TERMS

Club for the Study of Japanese Swords

12/08/2024

https://www.jssus.org/

Mark's Corner has been updated. Check it out for a list of upcoming sword shows in the USA.

"Mark’s Corner"
Upcoming Sword Shows

Updated 12/8/24

This section is to share news and information about swords and sword related subjects. I live in the Midwest USA. I travel to national and regional shows. I am including a list of upcoming events where Japanese swords can, or may, be found for sale. I invite comments and additional information. I can be reached by email at [email protected] If you are coming to one of these shows for the first time feel free to contact me with any questions and introduce yourself at the show

NEWS UPDATE: The last show was San Francisco The show was well attended. All tables were sold. A lot of great items to see and purchase. Educational presentations on Saturday.

Upcoming Shows:

January 24-25, 2025 Las Vegas sword show, held in conjunction with the huge Las Vegas Antique Arms show. This is the third time we will have a sword show with another event, it should be great. There are 1500+ tables and about 60 in the sword section. Educational events are scheduled on Saturday. Check the website for information www.vegasswordshow.com

February 20-22, 2025 OVMS Show of Shows Kentucky Expo Center Louisville. This is the largest Militaria show in the U.S. Attend this show if you can. It is about 1500 tables. Set up day is Thursday 20th, you can check the website for show times, members get in before the public. You can buy a membership at the door. There will be a number of Japanese sword dealers set up and there are other swords scattered about. This is a chance to see at least 400 Japanese swords in one place. www.sosovms.com

March 21-23, 2025 Baltimore Antique Arms Show http://www.baltimoreshow.com/ The show is mostly antique pistols, rifles and US swords but there are Japanese sword dealers set up and the show draws a large number of attenders so you never know what will show up. This show is located in a major eastern city and is worth a visit if you are in the area.

April 25- 27, 2025 Midwest Token kai, Chicago Sword Show at the Hyatt Regency Woodfield in Schaumburg IL. There will be an educational display or lecture by the N.B.T.H.K. AB. Over 100 tables with Swords, tsuba, fittings, armor, and other sword and samurai related items. http://www.chicagoswordshow.com

June 20-22, 2025 Orlando Sword show. I have attended past shows, the venue is easy to get to. The hotel is comfortable and the show staff does a great job. www.orlandoswordshow.com

August 1-3, 2025 San Francisco CA Token Kai S.F. Airport Marriott. This is a great show. There are over 100 tables of swords, tsuba, and other items to be seen and purchased. There are educational lectures and exhibits. Attending is an opportunity to see swords in hand, ask questions, and build your knowledge. www.ncjsc.org

*note: The JSS/US has no affiliation with, and does not endorse or intend to promote, any of these shows or shinsa. This is provided for informational use only.

Club dedicated to the study of Japanese swords, related items and art

08/24/2024

The archive of 1975 is now complete. See list below.....

https://www.jssus.org/

1975 Vol 7 Number 1 Newsletter January-February

Election Results, Prospects, Christian Tsuba

1975 Vol 7 Number 2 Newsletter March-April

Sadateru, JSSUS meeting, Japan Trip etc...

1975 Vol 7 Number 3 Newsletter May-June

Letter from the New Chairman, How To Make Oshigata, Christian Tsuba..

1975 Vol 7 Number 4 Newsletter July-August

Peabody Museum Tsuba Book, Polishing Talk by Bob Benson, Mud used in Forging by Ed Dobrzanski..

1975 Vol 7 Number 5 Newsletter September-October

Chairman Report by Arnold Frenzel, Sashikomi Polish by Bob Benson, NBTHK Annual Meeting

1975 Vol 7 Number 6 Newsletter November-December

Chairman Report by Arnold Frenzel, Nidai Monju Shigekuni by Bob Benson, Q and A, NBTHK Annual Meeting

1975 42 Page BULLETIN (Part 1)

Kaneiye Tsuba, Sword Etiquette and Care, Japanese Lacquer, A Swords Travels, How to make Oshigata, Artist Seals...

pages 43-52 of the BULLETIN (Part 2) December 1975

The Inaka (waikmono) Smiths by Yamanaka, Three Years in the Land of the Tycoon by David Pepper

05/27/2023

Please visit the our web site and check out the recent changes. Over 20 articles on the archive page now. Sign up for email updates on the home page. We will be sending notifications to membership using email from now on. Thanks.

Club for the Study of Japanese Swords

01/29/2023

The JSSUS is currently working on some big changes. We are starting an email list that will be used to get information to members. Please sign up on our home page. Membership is free at this time. We are no longer mailing newsletters and are switching to our web-based platform for all JSSUS news, articles and projects. We will be accepting new articles in the near future.

There are several changes to the website. These include a Newsletter Archive (in progress), adding Marks Corner to the site (info on upcoming sword shows) and moving some of the articles from the navigation bar to the Articles page. Please take a look at these changes and more improvements to follow soon.....

Club for the Study of Japanese Swords

03/26/2022

Dear JSS/US member,

As we are sure you have noticed, the JSS/US Newsletter has been missing in action of late. Members weren't submitting articles, John Eliyas, our editor, had to step down for personal reasons (thank you John for your years of service), and we have just learned that Chris Sly, who kept our mailing list, has passed on.

Chris was a wonderful volunteer, always willing to cheerfully take on whatever problem arose and get it right. He will be missed.

The time for change has arrived. We of the Board have decided to take the JSS/US Newsletter to digital; we want to expand and improve our website. We can add articles, if not whole issues, from years past. Many of our articles had crisp color and black & white photos when submitted by their authors but, due to the cost of fine print, illustrations left a lot to be desired on the pages. On our website they can be seen as intended. And there is so much more that could be done with the website.

We have been approached by someone who can build the website structure, the platform on which we can place our ideas; we need someone to fill the site with those ideas. If you are willing to consider taking charge of the JSS/US web site, please let us know. Please message us with your contact information and ideas for the site, what you'd like to do with it and what you might require from us.

Do we owe you a refund? If you are bothered by the fact that you won't receive the issues of our Newsletter that you paid for, please send an email to our treasurer, and tell him what you think you are owed; you and he will work it out.

Thank you for your patience these past 2 years,

The JSS/US Board

11/19/2019

“Mark's Corner”This section is to share news and information about swords and sword related subjects. I live in the Midwest USA. I travel to national and regional shows. I am including a list of upcoming events where Japanese swords can, or may, be found for sale. I invite comments and additional information. I can be reached by email at [email protected] If you are coming to one of these shows for the first time feel free to contact me with any questions and introduce yourself at the show

NEWS UPDATE:NEWS FLASH – The Tampa Show is moving to Atlanta for 2020. There is a new location for the 2020show, please see details below. Make a point to support the show.

Upcoming Shows:February 20-22, 2020 OVMS Show of Shows Kentucky Expo Center Louisville. Come to attend this show if you can. It is a very large Militaria show, about 1500 tables. Set up day is Thursday February 20, you can check the website for show times, members get in before the public. You can buy a membership at the door. There will be a number of Japanese sword dealers set up and there are other swords scattered about. This is a chance to see hundreds of Japanese swords in one place.
http://www.sosovms.com/March 6-8, 2020

Atlanta Japanese Sword and Cultural Arts show. This will be the first year in a new location. This show replaces the Tampa Sword show. Based on past Tampa shows I would expect about100 tables of swords, tsuba, and Japanese antiques. The show is near the airport so very convenient if you fly in. There is an airport shuttle. Www.southeastshowsauctions.com

March 21-22, 2020 Baltimore Antique Arms Show http://www.baltimoreshow.com/ The show is mostly antique pistols, rifles and US swords but there are a few Japanese sword dealers set up and the show draws a large number of attendees so you never know what will show up. This show is located in a major eastern city and is worth a visit if you are in the area.

April 24-26, 2020 Midwest Token kai, Chicago Sword Show at the Hyatt Regency Woodfield in Schaumburg IL. http://www.chicagoswordshow.com There will be an educational display or lecture by the N.B.T.H.K. AB. About 100 tables with Swords, tsuba, fittings, armor, and other sword and samurai related items. Last year the hotel filled up early so if you plan on staying at the Hyatt make reservations now.

June 26-28 2020 Orlando FL Sword Show at the Doubletree by Hilton Airport. I saw these dates posted on Facebook by Bob Elder. More details to follow.

*note: The JSS/US has no affiliation with, and does not endorse or intend to promote, any of these shows or shinsa. This is provided for informational use only

01/11/2019

Below is a section of our newsletter that may be of interest. If you have never attend a sword show in the US, please take note of the upcoming events listed.

“Mark's Corner”
This section is to share news and information about swords and sword related subjects. I live in the Midwest USA. I travel to national and regional shows. I am including a list of upcoming events where Japanese swords can, or may, be found for sale. I invite comments and additional information. I can be reached by email at [email protected] If you are coming to one of these shows for the first time feel free to contact me with any questions and introduce yourself at the show

NEWS UPDATE:The next sword show on the calendar is the Tampa show. I understand there will be some educational presentations and great display. There will also be a Shinsa* this year so that might make the show busier. Make plans now to attend.

Upcoming Shows:
February 21-23, 2019 OVMS Show of Shows Kentucky Expo Center Louisville. Come to attend this show if you can. It is a very large Militaria show, about 1500 tables. Set up day is Thursday February 21, you can check the website for show times, members get in before the public. You can buy a membership at the door. There will be a number of Japanese sword dealers set up and there are other swords scattered about. This is a chance to see hundreds of Japanese swords in one place. http://www.sosovms.com/

March 1-3, 2019 Tampa Florida Sword show. The NBTHK AB will put on an educational display and/or lecture. The show room has about 100 tables of swords, tsuba, and Japanese antiques. The showis in the airport so very convenient if you fly in. There will be a Shinsa* at this show.Www.southeastshowsauctions.com

March 16-17, 2019 Baltimore Antique Arms Show http://www.baltimoreshow.com/ The show is mostly antique pistols, rifles and US swords but there are a few Japanese sword dealers set up and the show draws a large number of attendees so you never know what will show up. This show is located in a major eastern city and is worth a visit if you are in the area.

April 26-29, 2019 Midwest Token kai, Chicago Sword Show at the Hyatt Regency Woodfield in Schaumburg IL. http://www.chicagoswordshow.com There will be an educational display or lecture bythe N.B.T.H.K. AB. About 100 tables with Swords, tsuba, fittings, armor, and other sword and samurai related items. Last year the hotel filled up early so if you plan on staying at the Hyatt make reservations now.

Save the dates:Orlando Sword Show June 21-23, 2019*note: The JSS/US has no affiliation with, and does not endorse or intend to promote, any of these shows or shinsa. This is provided for informational use only.

04/02/2018

In 1980 a team from Japan came to the USA to make a Japanese sword. One of our members had the original video of the process made into an mp4. You can download this video and see it by going to www.jssus.org and clicking on the link in the menu bar "sword video mp4".

Club for the Study of Japanese Swords