Upcoming Sword Club Meeting - Nanka Tōken Kai Southern California

[SteveM]

For the sword enthusiasts in Southern California, there will be a meeting of the Nanka Tokenkai ("Southern California Sword Club") on Friday, April 12th, at the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute in Gardena from 7:00-9:00pm. 

 

For information check out the club's Facebook page. 

 

https://www.facebook...174273/?ref=newsfeed

 

Gardena Valley JCI, 1964 W. 162nd Street, Gardena, CA 90247

[SteveM]

The Nanka Tōkenkai (SoCal Sword Club) is meeting tonight at the usual venue in Gardena. I will be speaking tonight on sword signatures, so if you are in the area and are interested in listening to me jabber away, drop by. 7:00pm - 9:00pm.

If you have a sword or tsuba signature you want me to read, bring it by. 

 

(for some reason the Facebook page hasn't been updated yet, but the venue is the same). 

 

Japanese Cultural Institute

Gardena Valley JCI, 1964 W. 162nd Street, Gardena, CA 90247

[Burntcicada]

Hello, 

I’m looking for a study group or mentor to learn appreciation from in the Los Angeles area.
is the Gardena Token Kai still regularly meeting? 
and Could you please advise any phone number or email contact to reach out to? 
thank you. 

[SteveM]

Hi Steven,

 

Yes, we are still meeting. Usually we meet on the first Friday of every month, 7:00pm - 9:00pm at the address I gave above. This month we didn't meet because everyone was basically present at the SF sword show, so I think the next meeting will be on September 5th. 

 

Notices are usually posted on Facebook. (You can also contact the club via Facebook DM, or you can contact me through the private message feature here on this site.)

https://www.facebook.com/NankaTokenKaiSoCal

 

Steve

[SteveM]

Upcoming Nanka Tōken Kai Meeting this Friday (September 12th).

 

Club sensei Mike Yamasaki will be discussing kinkō fittings. Meeting starts from 7:00pm at the Japanese Cultural Institute of Gardena. Feel free to drop in, even if you are not a member - there is no charge to attend the meeting. But if you eventually decide to become a member, the annual membership fee is $45. 

 

This meeting will be about fittings, but feel free to bring a sword along if you have one. I will be at the meeting as well, so if you have any documents or items with Japanese writing on them, and you would like to know what they say, I will be happy to take a look. 

 

Japanese Cultural Institute

Gardena Valley JCI, 1964 W. 162nd Street, Gardena, CA 90247

[SteveM]

Nanka Tōken Kai meeting tomorrow (Friday) October 10th at the Japanese Cultural Institute in Gardena, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. 

 

Club Sensei Mike Yamasaki will not be attending, so there will be no specific topics. Bring your swords by if you would like to share with the group. If you have any swords or related items with Japanese inscriptions that you would like read/deciphered, bring them by and I will be happy to take a look. 

 

Gardena Valley JCI, 1964 W. 162nd Street, Gardena, CA 90247

 

Steve

 

 

[John C]

On 10/9/2025 at 5:24 PM, SteveM said:

Nanka Tōken Kai

Steve:

Do you have the dates for Nov, Dec, or Jan yet?

CC @Bruce Pennington

 

John C.

[SteveM]

Hi John, 

No dates yet. Typically we meet on the 2nd Friday of the month, but November and December are unusual since many people are away in Japan at the Dai Tōken Ichi, and because of the holidays. We were talking about meeting up for an end-of-year Christmas dinner sort of thing, but nothing concrete yet. Will drop you a line if we decide on anything. 

Steve

[Bruce Pennington]

On 10/11/2025 at 2:21 PM, SteveM said:

We were talking about meeting up for an end-of-year Christmas dinner sort of thing, but nothing concrete yet. Will drop you a line if we decide on anything. 

Steve

Following discussion.  I'm mostly living with my daughter's family south of Sacramento and am wanting to drop down for a visit some Fri - Sun'ish in the coming months.  If you guys get a meeting going, I'll try to make it that weekend.  But no worries if it doesn't happen.  

[SteveM]

Got it! I'll keep you posted. 

Steve