I have been a collector and student of Nihonto for 30+ years. As with many collectors I was first officially introduced to the Japanese Sword through the Martial Arts. I saw my first Japanese sword as a young boy and it was love at first sight. I have maintained a lust for Nihonto and Tosogu since that day.

I would like to acknowledge a debt of gratitude to my two good friends and mentors, both now deceased. WW II Marine Corp Aviator, Colonel Dean Hartley and Dr. T.C. Ford. Dean was one of the oldest collectors in the US, with a history of Nihonto study and collection which spanned over fifty years. Dean was instrumental in forming almost every sword club in the US, and was President Emeritus of the JSS/US until his death in 2010. Over the years the Col. has treated me like a son, sharing his incredible knowledge as well as opening his vast collection for my study.

T.C. Ford or Carrol as his friends knew him was another instrumental figure in the formation of sword clubs in the US. He was the editor of the JSS/US Newsletter for many years. He wrote the forward in John Yumoto’s, The Samurai Sword. Dr. Ford was very kind and sharing of his knowledge.  He took me under his wing and was like family. I spent many weekends at his home studying swords and fittings.  He was always pushing me to learn more, and it was common when I would leave for home, he would hand me a Juyo or Tokubetsu Juyo sword and say “take this home and study it until you return”. That kind of friendship is priceless.