DIRECTORS:

Doug Blain (dblain@uoguelph.ca)
Kim Taylor ( kataylor@uoguelph.ca)

This program is in development, so this page will be changing regularly. Instructors and topics are being added. Please reserve these days and book your holidays accordingly.
 
 

The intent of the crafts conference is to provide a forum for the dissemination and discussion of accurate information regarding the traditional sword crafts of Japan. We attempt to do this through a series of informal lecture-demonstrations with the attendees invited to contribute in an exchange of "tips and techniques".

The seminar is open to the public and no previous experience in any of the arts is required.

There are a limited number of places in the seminar so participants should sign up early to reserve a space. Those signing up exclusively for the crafts section will be given first priority.

Novice students should understand that they will not acquire any deep knowledge in the various crafts that are offered since the courses are quite short. However, they will acquire a knowledge of the process and work involved.

Students are also encouraged to bring items for "show and tell" and for suggestions by the other attendees.

Doug Blain has been involved in the study of polishing Japanese swords and related arts since 1985. He is self-taught having applied related experiences in optics, lapidary, silver smithing and other crafts. His focus is toward the polishing of modern North American blades which can benefit from the Japanese polishing techniques and materials.

Fred Kay has been fitting and repairing Japanese sword mountings for many years. He is a long time student of kendo and iaido and specializes in Japanese woodworking.

Christopher Lau, also known by his art name of "Motoyasu" has been a student and collector of the Japanese sword since the early '80s. He has an interest in all aspects of Japanese swords/swordsmanship and among other things has been an amateur swordsmith and a sword polisher. He was introduced to the art of Japanese sword polishing by the late Tatsuo Akiyama and is also a past alumnus of the Guelph School of Sword Arts.

John Prough bought his first two Nihonto (Japanese swords) in an antique gun shop in Portugal in 1968.  He started to seriously study in 1975.  He is currently the Secretary of the Metropolitan New York Japanese Sword Club. Also, a member of the Japanese Sword Society/US and Nihon Token Hozon Kai (the oldest sword appreciation club in Japan).  He is particularly interested in the historical relationship between the sword and Japanese culture.  He also has some interest in the practical use of Nihonto as it relates to Budo (marital arts).

Chris Rancourt has been making saya for several years and is a student of iaido and a sword collector.

Kim Taylor has been making and using bokuto (wooden swords) and other Japanese wooden practice weapons for almost 20 years.

COSTS: $50 for the three day conference.

LOCATION: Most classes will be held at the University of Guelph Atlhetics centre, some in other locations as required.

ACCOMMODATION: is available through the University of Guelph and is about $30 cdn per day for a single residence room. The official contact is the Lampton Hall desk at 519-824-4120 ext 8121. (Please note that arrangements and payment are made directly to the hostel, not through the sword school.)

For those who prefer hotel accommodations there are three motels nearby:
College Motor Inn: 1-800-563-9240.
Day's Inn: 800-263-7824.
Holiday Inn: 519-836-0231

There are a few across town.
Super-8 1-800-800-8000.
Parkview Motel: 836-1410.
Borgs Wayfare Motel: 822-3041.
Comfort Inn 763-1900.
Desert Inn 836-4351

Downtown:
Best Western 836-1331

Sort of downtown:
Manor Motor Hotel (exotic dancers too) 836-1360
 
 

Back to Iaido Home Page