The fourth test cutting workshop organised by Swords and more is planned in Hamburg on 13 june 2010. We are looking forward to seeing again some participants from the first workshop. We will organise completely new weapons for the new workshop and will fit in many interesting extras.

The idea to run this workshop came up due to the multitude of handforged swords of different kinds in the Swords and more line. Many of those swords have already been tested on the tatami omote mats imported by Swords and more. Among other things we have been able to gather many different impressions and experiences with the Practical Katana, the WKC Heart of the Dragon, the Baron or the Henry V and now we would like to pass them on to our customers.

The handling of edged swords is very interesting, however it requires a certain amount of experience and cautiousness as well. The instructors Manuel Schmidt and Mathias Lojewski have acquired both during years of martial arts training in different areas, and thus they will give basic instructions for the handling of edged swords to the participants of the workshop.

The training will be carried out with wooden swords. Later on during the seminar the cutting is performed with European and Japanese swords. This workshop is not meant to be a complete martial arts instruction. It rather focuses on a very interesting topic.

The workshop is directed primarily at sword handling beginners, but also "veterans" are more than welcome to make the exchange of experience even more interesting for all participants.

At first we will be cutting basic quality tatami omote mats and later on the ones of higher quality. You can learn about the differences of those two kinds when reading the article descriptions of the tatami omote mats #1238 and #1424.

Programme

Reception at 10 am
Instructions
Training with wooden weapons


Dry run with tatami omotes
Test cutting with edged swords

Duration: about 4-6 hours, depending on the number of participants and the required preliminary exercises before the actual test cutting.

Please bring simple clothing guaranteeing free movement. We will provide you with swords, stands and a number of already soaked tatami omote mats. You are welcome to bring your own swords. However, we reserve the right to check those first to ensure that the test cutting with those swords will be safe. Here you see some pictures of our shop anniversary last year:

Below you find some impressions of the first workshop. For further pictures and a report of the workshop please click here.