When I was in fourth grade, my mom took me to a little shop that specialized in Japanese imports - not cheesy, mass-produced items, but beautiful, artisan-crafted pieces. Black lacquer furniture. Rice paper screens. Cast iron teapots. And best of all, a stunning daisho - a matched katana (sword) and wakizashi (short sword), on an elegant black laquered stand. I got to hold the katana in my hands, and I do believe that my tiny fourth-grade mind was blown.
Since then, I've read many books on all kinds of swords - books on the history and archeology of swords. Books on the technology and construction of swords. Books on various kinds of swordsmanship.
Several years ago, I held a German longsword in my hands for the first time, and I experienced that same feeling I'd felt as a fourth-grader.
Shortly after that, I started my own journey to become a swordsman. I joined the Sacramento Sword School, and have been studying Destreza and some Classical Italian Fencing, with a tiny bit of Kunst des Fechten here and there.
On this website I will post resources that will hopefully benefit my fellow Western Martial Artists, while on my blog I will be sharing what I am thinking and studying and learning while on this journey.