A HUGE thanks going out...

[Brian]

In the past, I have avoided specifically mentioning people to give thanks to, for the past year's help. I know it isn't thanksgiving, but here goes anyways.
But I think it's time I mention a few people specifically, and send out a huge thanks for their help in the past. I KNOW I am going to miss quite a few people, and for that I am deeply sorry. There are many of you that we owe a huge thanks to, for either contributing funds to keep the forum going (Some of you so generous it amazes me) or for helping with info or translations or research or whatever.
So even though I am forgetting many, I want to send out a HUGE forum thanks to the following members among others:

• Our moderators @Jean and @John A Stuart who have always been there for us for many, many years
• @SteveM without whose translation assistance we would all be in trouble. You sir, are the backbone of the Translation Section and by extension, the entire forum.
• Our wonderful Japanese members @Nobody @Bugyotsuji and @k morita who are invaluable to this forum and we owe you 3 a HUGE thanks.
• @Ray Singer who takes more time out to assist people with info and translations, than sell here. No wonder you have the reputation you do sir.
• Other dealers like @Grey Doffin @Mark @Ed etc who spend time educating people and assisting with shows or advice etc etc
• Our resident expert researcher and archiver and just all round nice guy, @Jussi Ekholm without whom, we would have a huge gap in our knowledge
• @Rich S who we owe a HUGE thanks for the start of this place, as well as the invaluable Japanese Sword Index
• The entire group from the Military Sword Section who have taken it upon themselves to compile more info on military Japanese swords here, than anywhere else. There is a staggering amount of info on models, serials, smiths, types and factories than published in one place anywhere. The way you guys co-operate to share info and compile it into articles or firm research is amazing. I am not going to mention specific names here, but ALL of you...and you guys know who you are. Absolutely fantastic!
• The members who write articles and share them freely for the benefit of the community. Here I have to single out @mecox @paulb @Bruce Pennington @zanilu @george trotter @GRC and others
• Our "vintage" members who stuck with us, giving advice and putting us in our place, even when the pressure took its toll. @Stephen @Ken-Hawaii @b.hennick @Bazza and others. You guys are furniture here....don't stray too far.
   

As I mentioned, I am going to feel terrible when I realize who I missed. But I'm sure you guys know how valued you all are. So are ALL of the members.
But sometime in the future I'd like to find a way to reward some of the names above.

So to all of you, and those I missed, have a wonderful Festive Season and wishing you all a happy, healthy, prosperous and fantastic New Year.

 

Brian

 

[Bugyotsuji]

There’s a guy in SA called Brian or something that I think you’ve missed. He’s like the *plug holding the bath water in. 

*Mr NMB. Pull his chain at your peril! 

[John A Stuart]

Brianl thank you. As our dungeon master and glue that holds this site from crumbling we applaud you. John

[Michaelr]

Yes I agree with you Piers that Brian’s name should start the list. Brian as a fairly noobe here and also to the Nihonto field I recognize those names as people that have helped my along this long and exciting journey. Like you said there have been many more along my way. So as Brian said Thank you to ALL This Is The Greatest Forum In The World. Happy Holiday to all and thank you

    MikeR

[zanilu]

Thank you to you @Brianand to all other contributors!

[Bruce Pennington]

Happy ThanksMas to you, too, Brian!  Very kind idea and post.  You deserve over 6,000 thank-yous (number of members!).

 

If I may, I'd like to thank all the guys on your list, plus some other guys I've learned much from:

 

Research - already listed George Trotter, Mal Cox, @Kiipu, @BANGBANGSAN, @vajo, @andreYesand, still missing him - @16k!

Double-down on thanks to @Rich S (and you Brian) for the Japanese Sword Index that I refer to almost every day.

Thanks don't do justice to two guys that the World owes a debt of gratitude in Type 95 world - @Stegel and @Shamsy.

Can't thank the Translation guys enough, guys you've listed, plus @uwe, there are others, though.

For Type 8/19 and kyugunto, where would we be without @lonely panet, and koshirae - @PNSSHOGUN!

I want to recognize @robinalexander for his rapidly growing expertise in Type 95s, and @John C for adding his passion for research.

And finally, to @kissakai for his regular reminders of the beauty and awe of this world we live in, on his Izakaya posts; @Stephen and @Wayben for the endless stream of Laugh 'O the Day memes.

And a special thanks to @IJASWORDS and @roger dundas and @Beater - you are wonderful souls who bring a civility, peace, and kindness to our sometimes rough and tumble crowd.

 

[waljamada]

Yes, I truly thank you all.  This board is my daily reader and always have it open as a tab on my phone...literally always.  This board is the exact resource I needed when first entering the hobby and has the history, resources and wealth of older forum posts to help me grow as my experience, knowledge and interests increases.  I've had interactions with probably all the people listed and many more that have been a graceful presence of knowledge.  My appreciation for the hobby and art of Nihonto has been enriched by them.  I'm extremely grateful for this board and it's members and tip my hat and give a respectful bow to these individuals that together form this community.  Bless you gentlemen/gentlewomen and scholars!

[Katsujinken]

Indeed thanks to everyone, and especially Brian! NMB is an incredibly special place. 

[Ken-Hawaii]

NMB is indeed a special place, & Brian is both the glue & the lubricant! One of my New Year resolutions is finding more ways to support him.

 

Mele Kalikimaka!

[Shamsy]

Thanks to Brian and the mods for continuing to bear the burden of organising and mediating an entire forum. You do a fantastic job.

 

Thanks to everyone who provides such expertise in the nihonto field. Not an area I know much about at all, so I appreciate those that take the time to answer my banal questions. 

 

Thanks to everyone that I see regularly in the military swords corner of the forum. Helpful, enthusiastic bunch and some great research and learning there. Appreciate the time you all dedicate to it and hope I can in some small way contribute back to the group.

[Gilles]

Thank you very much for all the members cited without forgeting Brian who is our grand master.

[george trotter]

A great Nihonto site indeed.

It runs so well because of you Brian and runs so well because those who have knowledge enjoy your site as a place to share. In the end we are all beneficiaries of the core purpose of NMB - the sharing of knowledge, the learning about Nihonto and many associated aspects of Nihonto and Japanese culture and history.

Thanks to all...long may NMB continue...

[Ed]

Special thanks to Brian who has diligently stayed the course of maintaining this site for years now. You have done a great job.

 

While I fade in / fade out at times, I have always thought highly of the NMB and what it has accomplished.

 

 

 

[Jean]

A big thank you first to our master without whom NMB won’t exist. He is the spider in the center of the cobweb which is NMB.

A huge thanks to all the newbies with whom we share our hobby and without whom we will turn in an never ending closed circle.

 

A big thanks to all of you who spare us John, Brian and myself, by being courteous.👍😃

[Guest Simon R]

Thinking also of the major sources of help and information whom we've tragically lost in the past year to either death or ill health.

They are totally irreplaceable - both in their incredible knowledge and in their sense of brotherhood with everyone - of whatever level - who shared their passions.

 

Simon