Its another quiet week for WMA/HEMA press, there’s nothing art-wise on the doorstep today. Even our Slavic and Germanic peers seem to be unnaturally quiet of late. Maybe somebody from the Academie Duello should fly over to Europe and report back on the state of play and study over there!We do however, offer a modest collection of sword press, including one highlighting a local effort to preserve a 15^th century sword tradition – and another trying to bring sword tradition into the 21^st century!

Expatriate Swords

THE GAZETTE (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) 19 July 12 Sword embodies Czech-Iowa-Czech (Patrick Muller)

Apparently the United Kingdom is not the only European nation to feature medieval sword dances during modern times.

The Czechs and Slovaks, including expatriates, also have their own traditional ‘šavlový tanec’during which they celebrate the good old days in the old country. And one writer of Czech descent is trying to ensure that the old traditions of the dance and related sword making stay alive and culturally relevant to the next generation – a generation growing up within the USA.

Calling Your Hits

WIRED NEWS (USA) 14 July 12 En Garde! Microsoft Creates Smartphone Tech for Virtual Sword Fighting (Alexandra Chang)

The future of ancient sword fighting continues developing within the present. Neal Stephenson’s ‘Clang’ is not the only sword – fight simulator in current development. Microsoft is developing ‘SwordFight’, which should allow you to try “sword fighting” with any of the fine smart phones currently on the market. From the sounds of the game play though, it sounds more like ‘dagger play’ that is aimed specifically against the opponent’s weapon hand.

Still, this effort continues a trend I’m enjoying seeing develop. First, it helps prove that sword fighting is still enough of a common social interest for company’s to put money into (in the hopes of getting more back naturally). Second, with the appropriate interest, technology and wish for an ‘authentic fight’ forming a nexus, I’m looking forward to a truly physically-demanding, historically plausible, interactive sword fight for those many times when I just can’t find a breathing training partner.

Sword of Responsibility

ESTONIAN WORLD REVIEW (Tallinn, Estonia) 20 July 12 Brigadier General Sirel turned over command of Estonian Army to Colonel Tiganik

“At the end of the formal Army-Change-of-Command ceremony, the Commander of the Defence Forces handed an officer’s sword over to Brigadier General Sirel. “May this sword remind you of your responsibilities and calling. Bear this Estonian officer’s sword with honour, both in your native land and abroad,” said Brigadier General Terras, handing over the sword.”

Who’s Responsible for losing the Sword?

MÄRKISCHE ODERZEITUNG (Frankfurt, Germany) 13 July 12 Das Schwert von Altthymen

The Bronze Age ‘Sword of Altthymen’ discovered in 1850, was apparently ‘misplaced’ sometime after the Second World War. The Mayor of the village is hoping that there is a replica of the 55 cm weapon ‘somewhere’, and that the blade will find a home in an old church – and provide a much needed local tourist attraction.

Snippets:

Western Martial Arts – In Japan?:

Most anyone working with swords within the West is familiar with the local cultural attraction and near-omnipresence of swords from Japan, and the related studies of martial arts from that country.

But how do the Japanese feel about the study of ‘western’ martial arts?

Apparently, there are one or two groups of scholars in the land of the katana that are interested in the serious study of how we in the west fenced and fought during our long, pugnacious past.

The above links are not ‘press’, but I’m hoping to find some soon!