Books that inspired interest in swords...

Hi. I just thought it might be interesting to find out how different people were inspired to become interested in swords. For many that I've talked to it was through a book, usually fiction. For me it was THE BURNISHED BLADE, by Lawrence Schoonover, (1948, Macmillan Co. New York, 371 pgs) It opens in the year 1431 near Rouen France, and the main character becomes the apprentice of a master swordsmith and deep thinker. The historical research is very well done and quite accurate. Well worth the read!

What about some others? What inspired you?

Tom Maringer
 
Edgar Rice Burroughs' Martian stories, John Carter and Tars Tarkas slicing up everyone in their path. Kung Fu movies too.
 
C

couteaux

Joined
Mar 17, 2000
Messages
175
HI Tom-

That's a tough one! I'd have to say it was a combination of three from back in the third grade: Treasure Island, The Three Musketeers, and The Hobbit!

Bob

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"The search is half the fun!"
 
I have to admit, cartoons--from He-Man to Turtles--and old Chuck Norris movies probably had more to do with my initial interest in swords than books did. (Yes, I'm afraid I'm part of THAT generation. At least I'm pre-Pokemon) But the interest has definitely been fed by books like Dumas' MUSKETEER cycle and Michael Scott Rohan's WINTER OF THE WORLD trilogy. Not to mention what I've actually gotten to read of Yoshikawa's MUSASHI.
 
I guess what started my academic interest was the garbled blob of misinformation tied in with some good information. Have read books where "samurai sword" and "katana" are different terms. Have heard a whole bunch of stuff about ninja swords, BS about what a hamon was, misinformation on proper shaping, et cetera. So much contradiction of information available to newbies out there.

I found myself disturbed by lots of information that was contrary to my own limited experience at the time, so I think that's what inspired me to really start learning. Joining the JSS/US really got me going, along with viewing the books by Sato and Yumoto and various other publications that helped me define the core swordmaking traditions a bit better as well as introducing me to the basic terminology...Everyone's got humble beginnings. I've learned a lot, but I'm still an intermediate student with a LONG way to go, in both JSA and academics of the sword. I like being able to teach what I know here, but I don't have the answers for everything...wish I did but I don't.

Can't please everyone,
Shinryû.
 
I read the Book of 5 Rings in high school...immediate chronic sword-interest.
after karate and several other arts with questionably classical sword training I sought out an iaido instructor...
the rest as they say is sweat, years of aching ankles, and better understanding of the sword.
 
"Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien inspired me quite a lot - just to learn that swords are not some weapons being able to perform magical tasks, but instead, that they are beautiful tools
wink.gif


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--[----- anton
 
Anton:
Tolkien's "LORD OF THE RINGS" was a very powerful influence on me, since I first read it about 1968. Did you know a film is being made as we speak? Location work in New Zealand has just finished. There is information available at http://tolkien-movies.com

My alter ego is Will Whitfoot, who maintains a web site at http://shirepost.tolkien-movies.com

May the hair on your toes grow ever longer

Tom Maringer
 
We can hope. There have been some changes to the story line that have already been announced. Tom Bombadil is out... considered a sideline and not germane to the main story. I always liked him, but oh well. Also the fact that there were few female roles, so Arwen becomes a bigger player by fulfilling roles formerly played by Glorfindel and others.

From what I've seen it will be awesome! I would almost have come out of retirement to do a sword or two. I don't know who is designing the weapons.

Tom
 
The only concrete thing I've heard about the swords is that Bob Anderson is doing the choreography. At some point one of the fan-boy sites claimed to have a spy that saw the weapons and passed them as "realistic and usable," but I'll believe that when I see it.

Considering about half of the crew were from the Hercules/Xena team, I'm not letting my expectations get too high on this film.
 
I knew about the movie, but I did not know about half of the crew being from the Xena/Hercules team. Now I am a little worried. Ok, I have been worried anyway, because no movie ever will capture those "images in my head" that I had when I was first reading the book. And that is good so.
BTW, I am really interested in what the Tolkien estate, somewhat greedy as they are, will do when it comes to the marketing of "trademark" swords - might be fun to see.

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--[----- anton

[This message has been edited by Anton Irmen (edited 01-18-2001).]
 
Sinbad the sailor movies,then in the early eighties all those wonderful ninja flicks! Gotta say I was partly inspired by Mr. Maringer's small sword in the Knives annuals. It's the 1 with the runes on it for a dwarf I believe.

Bill

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Bill Siegle
was4u@cs.com

Bill Siegle Custom Knives
http://www.geocities.com/siegleknives
Camp and Japanese Styled Knives a Specialty
 
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