Master Instructor Hoshino Marks His 30th Anniversary Teaching

Master Hoshino, the Master Instructor of San Francisco Japanese Sword Society, marks his 30th anniversary teaching here in the U.S. in January, 2003. He will be exhibiting his antique Japanese Sword collection and restoration skills at Cow Palace on January 18 & 19, 2003. He will offer complimentary sword appraisals from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM, both days. Master Hoshino has been teaching Japanese martial arts and antique Japanese sword restoration in San Francisco since 1973.

Master Harunaka Hoshino trained and became an instructor in Karate, Kenjitsu, and Ninjutsu in his birthplace, Tokyo, Japan. He has written over 50 magazine articles in the US, British, Irish, and Japanese martial arts publications, including Black Belt Magazine, Ninja, and Budo Dojo. He has traveled numerous times to England and Italy to teach seminars on Japanese martial arts and antique Japanese swords. Master Hoshino trained youth at no charge for San Francisco Parks and Recreation for 5 years. He produced 4 martial arts training videos with Tiger Claw in the 1990s. He became a personal disciple of a Japanese Government Certified Swordsmith in 1992. He is now fully trained in restoring antique Japanese swords, including cord wrapping, scabbard construction, polishing, metal-work, and engraving. He has developed several web pages and a web site with informative essays and photos on appraising, collecting, and restoring antique Japanese swords. His emphasis has remained throughout the years on educating students on Japanese martial arts and antique Japanese swords.

Currently in San Francisco, Master Hoshino teaches Kenjitsu, sword fighting skills, which include Itto-Ryu (2-handed skills), Katate-Uchi (1-handed skills), Nito-Ryu (a sword in each hand), Tameshi-giri (test-cutting), and various other bladed weapons (throwing blades, daggers, darts, spears, and halberds). He teaches not only adults, but also youth, including his own two sons. Ancient Samurai and Ninja-style Kenjitsu are well-preserved by the trainees of the SF Japanese Sword Society. We actually fight with the full protective equipment, after completing a 3-month basic Kenjitsu training. Our Kenjitsu is a mainland Japanese Samurai style of high-class Samurai sword skills, which includes superior tactics and strategy.

Japanese sword enthusiasts and collectors have numerous opportunities to expand their knowledge of Japanese swords and skills of sword restoration. There are Friday evening sword study meetings covering such topics as swordsmith schools, E-bay items and bidding, sword inscription reading, sword appraisal, and the history of swordsmithing. Every month, there is a day-long seminar where sword topics are explored in depth, and students bring swords for appraisal. For sword owners interested in restoration, there are weekend classes on Togi (polish), Habaki (metal gasket) construction, Saya & Tsuka (scabbard and handle) construction, Tsuka-maki (handle cord-wrapping), and Urushi-nuri (Japanese enamel painting). Persons
interested in Japanese swords and their restoration can visit Master Hoshino and the SF Japanese Sword Society at Cow Palace on January 17 and 18, 2003. They will see beautifully restored antique swords on display, and can observe restoration skills such as Togi (polish) and Shirasaya (wooden scabbard) construction. We hope that sword collectors and enthusiasts will feel welcome to join us in this 30th Anniversary of Master Hoshino and the SF Japanese Sword Society.
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