The goal of the Ashokan Sword Seminars is to gain

an understanding of the sword. Not just a specific

sword from a particular time or culture, but swords

from all over the world and throughout time.

As with the study of any tool, the focus needs to be

on how the tool was made and how the tool was

used. Unfortunately swords are tools which, for the

most part, are obsolete and this complicates the study

and causes it to be prone to many misinterpretations

and misconceptions. Therefore the study of the

sword must be multidisciplined and multifaceted and

every bit of information must be utilized and
subjected to rigorous analysis and testing.

Available sources of information include the swords

themselves. We have the artifacts to study, as well as

any literature documenting their making and use. To

this we must bring our current knowledge of mining,

iron/steel smelting and metallurgy to better interpret

this information and give us some insight and under-

standing of the construction and performance of these

unique tools. The study of the artifacts and literature
is usually the focus of academicians- archeologists,

historians and metallurgists are necessary to clarify

these aspects of the study of the sword.

We also need the input of craftsmen, skilled artisans

who can through study, reconstruction and experi-

mentation create the steel by smelting, forge blades

and produce finished weapons utilizing techniques

not all that different from those used on the original

artifacts. Finally we need the input of the martial

artists who train in the use of the sword and who

provide the final test on the accuracy and complete-

ness of our understanding of this subject, for only in

use can any tool be judged. After all, it is the
effect of the cut or thrust which defines the quality of

the tool, not the tool itself.

A quick look at the program of the seminar will re-

veal that a multi-disciplined investigation of the

sword will be presented bringing together special-

ists from a variety of related fields. Techniques for

making swords will be discussed and demonstrated,

different cultures and different times on hand to
 ex-amine. This is a unique event that should not be

missed by any serious student of the sword and is

guaranteed to increase your knowledge and appre-

ciation of this ancient weapon.

 Registration For Ashokan 2011