Historical Japan isn't just about elegant tea ceremonies or graceful cherry blossoms. Sometimes it's about 15th century sword fighting. Members of Avalon, a sister organization of the SCA, teach the martial art at Mejiro’s Castle Tintagel, a European medieval martial arts training center in Tokyo. Patrick W Galbraith of Japan Today has the story.

YouTube has video clips available of the Spartan vs Ninja episode of Spike TV's Deadliest Warrior program. The Spartan expert on the program is the SCA's own Sir Balin of Tor (Barry Jacobsen).

Archaeologists in Japan have long known about the existence of the ancient Yamatai kingdom, but they have never been able to find it. Now they are seeking the help of history buffs to solve the mystery.

When the harsh Lady of winter, Yuki-Onna, lays her bleak mantle over the land, join Their Sylvan Majesties, Christopher and Morgen, as they celebrate Mi-no-Hi, the Japanese midwinter Festival of the Snake.

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Good friends, on this day in the fall of 1274 on the island of Tsushima (off the coast of Japan), we are about to witness historic events. The Mongols are prepared to invade Japan, and the negotiations and banquet today are an attempt to forestall the invasion. A wealthy Japanese lord has laid on an amazing day of festivities, highlighted by a feast guaranteed to delight all guests!

In honor of the attendees, the feast will feature courses of Mongol and Chinese cuisine, in addition to Japanese. Unfortunately, these important negotiations are destined to be marred by murder(s) most foul! But this is more than a stage play, and you dear friends are more than honored guests. We are counting on you to answer the age old questions “Whodunit?” and “why”? At the end of the afternoon, each guest will be asked to fill out a sheet of paper describing their interpretation of the mystery, and who the culprit(s) is(are). After evaluating the detectives’ work, the murderer(s) will be hauled off in chains to face the Emperor’s Justice, and the detective who solved the crime most correctly will win a prize. Location:
Barony of Sacred Stone (Winston-Salem, North Carolina)

Palmyra Traders began merchanting in 1993. They specialize in top quality, hard to find merchandise for the medievalist.

Neal Stephenson reconsiders a storyline from his novel "The Confusion" in light of his recent experiences with rapier [and dagger].

The discovery of a rare full set of chapters of the 11th century The Tale of Genji, believed to be the world's oldest novel, has been found in a private collection in Tokyo.

A 5th century royal Japanese tomb has been made accessible to scholars for research and study for the first time. Koji Takahashi, a Toyama University archaeologist, was one of the experts allowed into the Gosashi tomb, which "is revered as the resting place of Empress Jingu, the semi-legendary wife of the country's 14th emperor."

Those interested in medieval Japanese archery will want to take a look at the OhmyNews website which has a feature on Momote Shiki: Japanese Archery Ritual including photos and a film clip.

Researchers working on a site near Phnom Penh in Cambodia believe they have discovered the remains of a Japanese village dating to the 17th century. Artifacts found include ceramics and kilns.

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Clancy Returns to Japan Hosted by Starleaf Gate and the Barony of Roaring Wastes At the Hazel Park Recreation Center 620 W Woodward Heights Hazel Park, MI 48030

5th of April, 2008 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Site Fee:
6 and under: FREE
6 to 12: $5.00
0ver 12: $8.00
Non-Member Fee: $3.00
$1.00 off if you come in Japanese garb.
Feast: $12.00 per person.

Feast will feature authentic Japanese cuisine, including: (No Fish) Location:
Shire of Starleaf Gate (Hazel Park, Michigan)

Errant Knight offers stunning hand-made authentic artefact replicas including court belts, sword and armour belts and jewelry. All items are thoroughly researched to ensure historical accuracy.

"In the wrong hands, samurai swords are dangerous weapons," Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said recently on the announcement by the British government that it would ban the sale of the swords.

A new study by author Setsuko Matoba proposes the theory that the island of Zipangu made famous in The Travels of Marco Polo may not have been Japan, as believed, but the Philippines.

The Asian Studies Center of the University of Pittsburgh will present Japanese Taiko Drumming on Saturday October 13, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. in the Assembly Room, WPU. The concert is free and open to the public.

Lord William Featherstone, wandering jester and herald, relates a tale of valor and victory at the tournament to determine the Baron and Baroness of the Palantine Barony of the Far West.

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The leaves are falling, the air is getting colder; soon the Gates of Winter shall open once again. Come join in a day of revelry and feasting in Winter's Gate as we celebrate the autumn splendor and the coming of winter.

There will be an adultclass on Japanese Temari (Please RSVP by October 8th if you wish to take this class!! Just email the autocrat please). There will also be two kids' classes, one on Viking braids taught by Lady Gwyneth Location:
Barony of Winter's Gate (North Pole, Alaska)

Lady Katherine reports and shares photos from the recent Tournament for the Palatine Baronial Coronet of the Far West which took place September 15, 2007 at Camp Zama, Tokyo, Japan.

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The College of Tor Aerie is hosting Otsukimi, a Japanese Moon Viewing Festival, set in the Sengoku Era (1467-1573). Come learn about Medieval Japan, enjoy activities and food.

Questions? Contact event autocrat Elizabeth Upton (ester030@umn.edu).

St. Christopher's Episcopal Church
Saturday, October 20th 2007
Gate Opens: 9:00am and Site Closes: 9:00pm Location:
College of Tor Aerie (Roseville, Minnesota)

A retired civil engineer has written a report on a 6th and 7th century irrigation system in the in Osaka Prefecture. Kazuo Takatsu spent 15 years on the report, which chronicles a system to collect rain water.

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On July 21st-22nd, Mistress Ella Gajewi von Pommern will be teaching a sewing class on Japanese Kimono and Hakama. The costumes are planned for our Fettburg's Midsummer Feast on August 18th, which is going to be a traditional Japanese Feast.

Japanese Kimono & Hakama Sewing Class

July 21 -22, 2007

United Lutheran Church
649 Northgate Drive, Manteca

SATURDAY CLASS 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Location:
Barony of Fettburg (Manteca, California)

Sir Guy of Warrior's Gate in Korea reports on a medieval recreation group in Japan called Avalon.

Wiat reports that there have been several videos posted to YouTube of Japanese reenactors taking part in the equivalent of SCA battles.

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The arrival of cherry blossoms signals the end of chilly winter and the most anticipated season change. We find our imaginations still intact and undampened. Warriors of the Kamakura Period (late 12th - 14th c.) always considered cherry blossoms the symbol of a life lived fully, no matter how short. So do we at this time of rejoicing and reflection, gather with family and friends to appreciate the passing and coming of seasons. Spread your blanket picnic style and share in revelry, food, fighting (both heavy and rapier), singing, dancing and do as much as we can outdoors. Location:
Barony of Eskalya (Anchorage, Alaska)

Saionji no Hanae reports that Bowdoin College has created a website to display Japanese manuscript art depicting the 13th century Mongol invasion. The scrolls were commissioned by Takezaki Suenaga to recount his actions during the invasion.

On December 19, 960 C.E., the citizens of Kyoto, Japan began to rebuild the city after it was ravaged by fire.

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Please come and join thre of Hammerhold as st time in Japan....... The Shire of Hammerhold presents: Black Equinox: Return of the Longest Running Japanese Event

September 22-24, 2006
Sleepy Bend Campsite, Sardis Lake, Sardis, MS

FIGHTING? Of course, how could we be Hammerhold without it?

• 1st List: Katana (bastard sword) limited to single weapons (less than 48")
• 2nd List: Mountain Warrior Li Wu Jin Memorial List - 7.5 foot glaive. Location:
  Shire of Hammerhold (Sardis, Mississippi)

Tina Forde, Business Editor for the Antelope Valley Press in Palmdale, California, takes a look at a local dance studio which combines modern life interests with the SCA through dance and the martial arts.

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The Marche of Gwyntarian cordially invites you to attend "Gwyntarian - First Contact" on July 1, 2006. The event is themed on the first interactions between Portuguese traders and the inhabitants of Japan. We have planned many exciting activities to divert and entertain you, including classes taught by folks from Alderford, Cleftlands & Gwyntarian; special fighting and fencing tourneys (can you say, "War Fans?" I knew Location:
Marche of Gwyntarian (Akron, Ohio)