Here are 13 random pix of me, friends, and stuff I’ve made.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This weekend my SCA shire is hosting our annual event, Rhythm and Bruise. The event consists of hours of armored fighting, with music and dancing along side. This year our theme is Tora Matsuri (Tiger Festival), and the emphasis is on medieval Japan. Click the link and click again on the line in the blue square to see a list of the japanese feast. I’m serving (on my knees, literally, as was the tradition in medieval Japan) while wearing hakama, three kosode and an uchikake. (I hope I have that right!) In honor of our event, here are 13 traditional Japanese weapons.

 

Traditional Japanese Weapons

 

The Katana – Not just a weapon, but the soul of bushi.It is the
most sophisticated form of the beauty of killing.The more beautiful it is, the
more deadly sharpness it has. Katana are distinguished from broadswords for the
extremely sharp edge and the slightly curved blade.The beauty of a katana
appears on its blade and edge.Its grace form and grim beauty has been
fascinating many warriors.

The Wakizashi – Shorter than the Katana (about 68 cm), this sword
was worn indoors by the Samurai, because the Katana was too long to fight in
small rooms.

The Tanto – This is a small japanese knife from the same steel as
the Katana and the Wakizashi. This knife was sometimes worn instead of the
Wakizashi.

The Kama – Originally a farming tool to weed plants. Because the
farmers were not allowed to carry weapons they used their tools to defend
themselves. This weapon is most know for its use by ninjas.

The BO - A large staff (about 2 M) used as a self defense weapon by
the common people, who were not allowed to carry weapons.

The Jo - A shorter staff (about 1.35 M) also used as a self defense
weapon by the common people.

The Keibo – A small stick (about 35 cm) used for fighting in small
areas.

The Ebo – A very small stick (about 15 cm) perfect as a defense
weapon and easy to cary around.

The Tonfa – A nightstick with a handle attached to the side of it.
many police forces have adopted it to replace the old police baton
(nightstick).

The Nunchaku – Two sticks connected by either a small cord or
chain. Originally it was used as a farming tool to thresh grain. and the farmers
started using them as weapons to defend themselves.

The Shuriken - The word shuriken means “a dagger hidden in a palm,” so
all daggers small enough to hide in a palm were called by this name. They have
many variety in their shape and usage. Some are starlike shaped, and thrown with
spin. Some other are needlelike shaped, and thrown just like a throwing dagger.
Though a shuriken can hardly penetrate armor protection, it was enough because
ninja threw it at unarmed target mainly. Venom was used with shuriken
normally.

The Yari – The Japanese spear didn’t differ largely from that of
other countries. During the Civil War Era, spear was the most standard weapon of
bushi.

The Naginata – A pole arm with a single, curved blade on one end,
is employed with sweeping, circular motions and, as an extension of the wielder,
channels energy in a harmonious display of beauty and precision. The Naginata is
a weapon with a rich history, utilized and refined from the Nara Period (710-784
A.D.) to today. Employed initially by the Bushi, it later found itself the
specific weapon of the Sohei or Buddhist monks. It is the school of the spear
and, as such, is a shafted weapon. The length of its oval shaft varied, from 5′
to 8′, depending on battle conditions and personal requests. The most striking
feature, however, was the blade; it could be anywhere from 10 inches to more
than 2 feet, and was sharpened on a single side, fashioned in the manner of
either Sakizori or Uchizori. As with most shafted weapons, it was most
devastating when utilizing sweeping, circular motions. However, thrusts with the
blade and also the heavy Ishizuki on the butt end were acceptable tactical
alternatives.

 

Have youever read a historical romance where the hero has his lady out of her clothes in about 3 seconds flat? How realistic is that? I can say from experience that getting dressed takes some serious time and effort. Getting undressed would take less time, but still a heck of  a lot longer than a few seconds. Here is an example of what a noblewoman in England in the year 1530-1545 might be wearing.

Layer 1: Chemise. shift. This is the layer closest to the skin, so it should be easily laundered (unless you’re high nobility, and then the chemise will be loaded with embroidery)

Layer 2: Farthingale/hoopskirt. In the 1500s this shape should be a cone, not a bell like in the 19th century

Layer 3: Corset. This was not intended to give an hour glass shape like in the mid-1800′s. Have you ever tried to edge your hand inside the top of a corset or had your hero do that to his lover? Not as easily done as you might think, depending on how tightly it is laced. This is an actual corset from the late 16th century

Layer 4:  Bumroll. To make the skirt stand out from the body and take some of the weight off the hips. A stuffed half-donut that tied around the hips. (no picture)

Layer 5: Kirtle (or petticoat and bodies). In hot weather or for casual dress (or the lower class), this could be worn alone.

Layer 6: Partlet. A neck covering for warmth and ostentation rather than modesty. Often plain black, but sometimes richly embroidered or lined with fur, edged with pearls or other small jewels. Later in the century it evolved into the back standing open ruff.

Layer 7: Forepart. A decorative panel of rich fabric that was pinned to the kirtle to show through the split in the over skirt. Often matched the lower sleeves. A woman with a couple of these could mix and match to extend her wardrobe. The black and  white photo is of an actual forepart rom the period.

Layer 8: Gown. Sometimes the gown was one piece. More often it was a skirt that hooked or tied onto the bodice edge. (no photo)

Layer 9: Sleeves. In Tudor times, uppersleeves were stitched to the dress, but undersleeves were tied on underneath and could be changed to match the forepart. (no photo)

Layer 10: Coife. A small linen cap to protect the heavier, more expensive headdress from oil in the hair. (no photo)

Layer 11: Head dress. In Tudor Engand in 1535, this would have been a Gable Hood or a French Hood. These would have been ornate and decorated with pearls and gems.

Layer 12: Shoes and stockings. Stockings would have been made from fabric cut on the bias and sewn together. Knitted stockings were still another 20 or 30 years from being introduced. Shoes were often a Mary Jane style, with very square toes.

Layer 13: Jewelry. For the high nobility, this would have included necklaces, brooches, rings and girdles (belts made from strung pearls and jewels, or silk cords). But just about every garment was embellished with jewels, from the neck edges of the dresses, the edges of the split in the skirt, to the sleeve slashes. One of these complete outfits probably weighed a ton! Or at least 20 pounds.

I think the layers would have been similar in other times. The Georgians? Definitely. The Victorians? Oh, yeah. Maybe not the Regency period as much, but still layers.

So after reading this,  how quickly do you think your hero could get his heroine undressed?

I am in a medieval/renaissance recreation organization called the SCA.  This weekend is Twelth Night in the Barony of Nordskogen (Minneapolis, MN) I am not able to go to that event due to work and possibly weather. That means I will miss seeing some of my favorite people. So I will feature them here. These are not the ONLY people I will miss seeing, but I am planning on going to the Twelth Night in Castel Rouge in Winnepeg Canada on the last weekend in January so I will see many friends there.. You will note that the majority of my friends wear Viking or Byzantine garb. Which type of garb do you like best?

1. Tarrach and Fina, wearing court Byzantine garb. One of the premiere power couples in the Kingdom of Northshield. They have ruled the midrealm and Nothshield, earning them the rank of Duke and Duchess. A few of their other titles include Mistress and Master of both the Laurel and the Pelican, Knight of the Society, Lady of the Rose, etc, etc, etc. When I was a brand new beginner in the SCA they were extremely welcoming and helpful.

 

2. Sigurd and Helena in Viking garb. My very generous next door neighbors, whom I call in an emergency. A fun young couple newly married. He does marvelous woodworking; she does card weaving and fights rapier.

 

 

3. The Honorable Lady Devon Ffrenche and Lord Roibaird in Elizabethan garb. My adopted niece and her husband. Both accomplished rapier fighters.

 

4. This lady is my friend Lusche, currently HRH Princess of Northshield. She’s in Viking and I’m in early Tudor. I think we might have had a little much to drink?

 

 

5. Baron Berwyn, newly made Master of the pelican, me and Baroness Ceridwen, part of the purple Byzantine Brigade.

 

 

 

 

 

6. The Honorable LadyEabblean of Castel Rouge in a Rus coat. A lovely lady of such generosity and grace that she is widely beloved in her Barony and Kingdom.

 

 

7. Two knights of my acquaintance, Sir Jurgen von Baden (kneeling) in German garb and Sir Yngvar inn Heppni in Vendel garb. Two of the finest men in my kingdom. Great fighters, honorable and generous with their time

 

 

 

8. The Honorable Lady Asny and Lord Ansila the Goth in Viking garb. Residing at the very Western edge of our Kingdom, they travel tirelessly. They are talented and generous. It’s always a joy to see them.

 

 

9. Lady Una in Viking garb. This lady would not have been at the event, as her first baby is due any day. I’ve known her husband for many years and he’s a wonderful man. But he’ll be the first to say how lucky he is to have won her.

 

 

10. My very good friend Hrodir Vigageir Toreson, currentlyKing of Northshield, in Elizabethan garb. he usually does Viking or Rus, but his queen had wanted a late period reign, and with his generous spirit he put on the garb she chose.

 

11. Baroness Ainsleah, Mistress of the Laurel, wearing her signature beaded and embroidered Byzantine/Rus garb. It’s hard to see in the pic but the white motifs are solid tiny pearls, which she hand-sewed on. That gown can practically stand on its own. Gorgeous!

 

 

12. The Honorable Lady Gwen, her daughter the Honorable Lady Katherine and the Honorable Lady Devon. My kinswomen who adopted me into the de Bohun household a few years ago. Gwen and Devon are wearing early Norman garb, and Katherine is wearing the parti-colored cote hardie from the late 14th century.

 

13. Baroness Greta, Mistress of the Pelican in Viking. A tireless worker for the Kingdom of Northshield. She has served as Exchequer, and done a fantastic job, even through knee replacement surgery and reading through the first manuscript I’ve ever submitted. It was accepted right away, and I’m pretty sure she’s one of the big reasons why.  I love Greta!

Someday I’ll write a historical romance where I can get the clothing right. Which style of garb catches your fancy?