PROGRAMS:  JAPANESE SWORD STUDY GROUP
Click to Download
our Chicago Area
Class Schedules
and Fee Info.
Click to Email Us
or make an
appointment to visit
3717 N Ravenswood, #113     »     Chicago, IL 60613     »     773.472.3290     »    info@shinjinkai.org
© 2005 Shinjinkai. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.
The Shinjinkai Japanese Sword Study Group is dedicated to the study and appreciation of Japanese swords (Nihonto). The mystique surrounding Japanese swords is due to several factors, including frequent references to them in Japanese mythology and early history, the importance of the sword to the samurai warrior class as a tool and symbol, and finally the masterful forging and lamination process which makes these swords among the most durable and beautiful weapons ever crafted.

At each meeting, Study Group members are able to view actual swords from various historical periods. Sword etiquette and handling, sword terminology and school/smith characteristics are frequent focuses of discussion. With experience, members begin to try their hand at sword appraisal, learning how to determine when and where a sword was made. The group meets every other month at Shinjinkai H.Q. in Chicago.

Sword Study Group leader Nick Kolick has been collecting swords for the past 10 years, with particular interest in Kamakura and Nambokucho periods. Nick is a member of the NBTHK (Nippon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai) , JSSUS (Japanese Sword Society-US ), and the Midwest Token Kai, which hosts the annual sword show in Chicago every year (see the Tokenkai site here).

Note: This group is for sword appreciation and study only, and does not involve instruction in the actual use of swords. Please see our other Programs pages for information on sword training.

NEXT SWORD STUDY GROUP MEETING: TBA

ATTENTION:  The Midwest Tokenkai Japanese Sword Show and Shinsa
is set for May 2-4, in Schaumburg, Illinois!  Please see the Midwest Tokenkai site for more information, here.



Japanese Sword Periods

Koto (old swords):

Kamakura 1185-1333

Nambokucho 1333-1391

Muromachi 1392-1572

Momoyama 1573 - 1599

The "New" and Modern Sword Periods:

Shinto 1600-1780

ShinShinto 1781-1876

Gendai 1877-1945

Shinshakuto 1945-Present


The Five Swordmaking Traditions:

Yamato, Yamashiro, Bizen, Soshu, Mino

Home       Mission      Programs     Locations      People      Events Calendar    Images     Articles & Resources     Announcements    Links
Nick Kolick lecturing at a meeting of the Sword Study Group
Aikido        Youth Aikido        Women's Aikido      Shinbukan Kuroda Ryu-gi   Mugai Ryu Iaihyodo
Battodo      Uchideshi        Sword Study Group         Zen          Korinji          Integral Bodywork