The Samurai Workshop

With heavy heart we are announcing that The Samurai Workshop will cease most of its activities in product sales (meaning the shop and webshop).

In the 10 years that The Samurai Workshop has been active we have had the chance to meet thousands of people, if not more. All with a different story but often with an eager ear to learn more about the Japanese sword, its craftsmanship and samurai history.

We take great pride in having worked with so many martial artists, collectors, and craftsmen (and women). We gave many lectures and workshops and were honored as guests in many dojo.

Last months have been wearying and we found ourselves trying to rejuvenate the hunger that was once unstoppable in the earlier years. However we found ourselves more and more on edge due to an overloaded agenda while not having ever finished a single sword project for ourselves. Working through dozens of emails, messages and phone calls each day and trying to get the orders out in time while making sure that each item was on stock, photographed and listed.

We’ve grown too much and realize it’s time to start over again. Yes The Samurai Workshop will continue but we will try to find our way back to our roots (as a Workshop). Our goal is now to get back to being the artisan on 4 square meters simply making beautiful swords without the pressure of the commerce.

There's still a fairly big chance we may continue the sales of tsukamaki and Japanese restoration materials but most in-stock swords and accessories that are currently listed will be sold with a good discount. Dojo with larger inquiries can contact us by email to discuss special discounts.

To all the people that have supported us over the years, it has been an honor!

Warm regards,
Jeffrey & Bonnie

Golden dragons are always a pleasure to work with! Except for the steel, everything custom made (y)

Japanese sword handle of an authentic gunto war sword, freshly wrapped.

With this nice weather, I happened to shoot some pictures of an amazing Okuden katana in its (or should I say 'her' ;) ) natural habitat! Exclusive design and available from the Netherlands (y)

It's not always about big budget projects and impressive sword parts. Carefully tied and cut tassels of a sageo will make a world of difference.

Making things perfect takes time :)

Further shaping of a habaki in progress :)

One of the projects that we're most proud of, it turned out quite nicely don't you think?

Exquisite work by the best of the Japanese sword crafting community!

Each component of a Japanese sword is a unique discipline that a craftsman will spend his entire life on to master. There are sword smiths, polishers, horimomo carvers, wood workers, habaki makers, fitting makers, ray skin workers, lacquerers and handle wrappers. This means that the true soul of a Japanese sword is only created by the collaboration of this circle of craftsmen.
The Samurai Workshop is specialized in art of tsukamaki, Japanese handle wrapping. The true Japanese way would be to learn only one profession but out of personal interest and neccessity, we also took the extra curriculum of of tsuka and saya making and habaki making :)

In the picture a newly made handle for a WW2 gunto sword, wrapped with silk in a style called moro hineri-maki.