Metropolitan New York Japanese Sword Club ニューヨーク刀剣会 New York Token Kai, Inc.
Section Links Who We Are Membership Info Officers Meeting Location Meeting Directions Book List Prior Articles Contact Us	Information The New York Metropolitan Japanese Sword Club is a non-profit 501.3c corporation. Its membership is for serious collectors and students of the Japanese sword and related arts. The purpose of the organization is the preservation and study of the most beautiful art objects constructed of steel, the Japanese sword (also called the Samurai sword). This sharing of knowledge is open to all seriously interested people in the New York area. A major activity of the Club has been to furnish its expertise to several museums that have Japanese swords in their collections. This is usually a great help to curators who do not necessarily have the very specialized knowledge that Japanese swords require. Also, demonstrations and displays of Japanese swords are done as a service for the education of the general public. NEWSLETTER The Club intends to sends out a Newsletter each month to all members giving the location and time of the next meeting. The Newsletter also contain any news about swords, for example auctions or shows coming up, that are of interest to the membership. Normally, there will also be a technical section about some aspect of the Japanese sword. MEETINGS Meetings are normally held on the fourth Sunday of the month from Noon to 3 PM. But check the Latest section of this web site for changes. Meeting are not held during the months of December, July and August. The format of the meetings are normally a short business meeting followed by one or more technical lectures about the Japanese sword. This is followed by question and answer period with additional comments by other members. Then a general socializing period with the chance to show swords and fittings and ask questions and opinions of other members. Click here for directions to meeting. HOME	Membership FULL MEMBERS are members in good standing for purposes of voting at meetings and holding office. They may come to all meetings and special events without extra fees except for those special events for which an extra fee is required. No prior knowledge of this subject is required. The new member will be able to study with and learn from the more advanced members and the Club Board of Technical Advisors. The goal is for all members to gain a basic understanding of the technical, historical, cultural, and artistic aspects of the Japanese sword. To become a Full Member requires that a person come to two regular Club meetings as a visitor. Then with the recommendation of two current Full Members, they may fill out an application and pay the Full Membership fees: there is a one-time enrollment fee of $65 & annual dues of $35. CORRESPONDING MEMBERS are anyone who only wishes to receive the Club Newsletter. They do not have any voting rights, but they are free to attend any Club meeting as a visitor. Basically, anyone may become a Corresponding Member by filling out an application (or writing on plain paper their name, address and telephone) and sending it with a check for the annual dues of $30 made out to the Metropolitan New York Japanese Sword Club sent to the NY Tokenkai, 275 8^th Street #3, Jersey City, NJ 07302 NOTE: Annual Dues are on a calendar year basis. This means that each January, regardless of when you joined, they are due.. Earlier Newsletters for the current year will be sent. For anyone joining late in the year, the Board of Directors may, at their discretion, make an adjustment. Members, who reside outside of the American postal system, please add $5 to the cost of membership. VISITORS: Anyone who is interested in learning more about Club activities or becoming a Full Member are encouraged to attend a meeting. Visitors are always welcome. By attending a meeting the visitor not only has an opportunity to learn about the Japanese sword, but it gives them a good opportunity, at a moderate cost, to decide if they want to learn more. There is a $5 visitor fee per meeting.