Chicago Sword Show April 24-26, 2026

[Mark]

The show is about 2 months away. Perfect time to make plans to attend.  More swords, tsuba, kodogu etc in one place than you could see otherwise. Great hand on opportunity to learn.

 

Saturday there will be educational presentations, more details to follow 

 

Basic show information here: http://www.chicagoswordshow.com/

 

If you want to stay at the Hyatt here is a link. Rooms are filling up, if you have trouble booking let me know

https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/CHIRW/G-TOK1

 

If you want a table let me know, i usually have a few people who can't make it due to illness/emergency.

 

You can contact me regarding the show at chicagoswordshow@gmail.com

 

Thanks for looking

 

Mark Jones 

[tokashikibob]

Can't wait!

[Soshin]

I booked my hotel and flights back in January. I did run into an issue with the discount airline I originally used, but fortunately I was able to rebook and resolve everything at no additional cost.
I’m very much looking forward to the Chicago show. I’ll be attending all three days and staying for two nights at the Hyatt, where I was able to secure the special show rate.
I plan to bring three or four tsuba from my collection for display, sale, or trade. They will be shown at the New York Token Kai club table. Each piece has been with me for many years, and I’ll provide a short write‑up for each tsuba on display.  

[Mark S.]

Live fairly local so this is my regular show.  As always… can’t wait!  

[Mark RP]

I also will be attending. This will be my first show as I’m a fairly new collector. I will be traveling from Michigan.

[Mark]

The show is getting close.  The room block was full on one night, i was able to have them add a few rooms so if you had any issues getting a reservation give it a try now https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/CHIRW/G-TOK1

 

If you need a table i have a couple of cancellations, send me a message nixe@bright.net

 

I am looking forward to seeing everyone

 

Mark and family

[Mark]

update

 

at 1pm Saturday the NBTHK-AB are having a presentation for NBTHK-AB members here is a link

https://nbthk-ab2.org/chicago-sword-show-presentation/

 

at approx 3pm there will be a presentation highlighting the Changing blade shape during the Nambokucho period 

 

the hotel is about full, there are a couple of rooms friday, saturday, and Sunday nights. 

[Soshin]

I’ve already been in touch with the presenter for the 1:00 PM session on Saturday, April 25, 2026. I’ll be bringing a fine set of large Ko-Kinkō menuki with NBTHK papers. While they feature an iconic dragon motif, the pair also showcases several contrasting stylistic elements and techniques when compared with contemporary Ko-Gotō examples.

[Mark RP]

Will there be any seminars for people that aren’t NBTHK-AB members?

[Mark]

yes at approx 3 pm Saturday there will be a lecture/presentation/hands on  about the change or blade shape during the Nambokucho period. there will be several high quality blades, Juyo, TH etc made during Nambokucho period (1330-1390)

 

Open to anyone who wished to attend. Matt Jarrell (member here) will be the presenter

[Mark S.]

36 minutes ago, Mark said:

Open to anyone who wished to attend. Matt Jarrell (member here) will be the presenter

I HIGHLY encourage everyone to attend.  Mark makes sure these sessions are well worth your time and Matt has some wonderful blades. Both Matt and Mark make the presentations approachable to newer attendees, but very educational for more seasoned veterans.  If you are there… GO!

[Grey Doffin]

Saturday morning, 10 I think, some old guy will demonstrate care and handling. Free to all.

Grey

[Curran]

2 hours ago, Grey Doffin said:

Saturday morning, 10 I think, some old guy will demonstrate care and handling. Free to all.

Grey

 

I took for granted the care and handling etiquette lessons taught to me by John Prough and Kodama-san [RIP both], by the NY-NJ-CT group.

It is important  in how you are perceived when you go to Japan and deal with dealers. 

[Soshin]

On 4/4/2026 at 9:59 PM, Mark S. said:

I HIGHLY encourage everyone to attend.  Mark makes sure these sessions are well worth your time and Matt has some wonderful blades. Both Matt and Mark make the presentations approachable to newer attendees, but very educational for more seasoned veterans.  If you are there… GO!

 

It should be noted that Matt is a member of the American branch of the NBTHK. This presentation will be well worth the time investment. I have old photos of us attending a old Mid Atlantic Token Kai meeting in northern Virginia way back in 2010. I think we became members of the the NBTHK around the same time. I joined the NBTHK a few years earlier in 2007.    

[Grey Doffin]

Hi folks,

As many of you know, Mark Jones & I bought a large chunk of the tsuba and kodogu left in Skip Holbrook's collection when he passed away recently; I have been vigorously listing them to my site ever since. We will have everything that hasn't sold on our tables in Chicago. We also acquired Skip's library and I have listed many of the books on my site. There were, however, many more books than I wanted to list. I will have 3 heavy boxes of Skip's books on our tables at serious bargain prices; please stop by and lighten our load.

And, since I drive to the Chicago show, I can bring with me any book from my site you might like to own - no charge for post. Check my book pages and send me an email from the site to place an order. I have recently taken on 2 other libraries beyond Skip's; I have a great inventory of very useful titles.

Thanks, Grey

[Soshin]

Getting everything ready for the show. Only one more day of work helping students as a high school and college‑level private tutor in biology and chemistry before heading out. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone who can make it to the Chicago show this year.

Everything I’ll be bringing has been appraised and is 100% authentic. If you have any questions, feel free to let me know.

[Mark S.]

Really looking forward to this weekend! 

[Mark S.]

Just a few pictures from the show.  This was from Sunday.  Saturday was much busier!  As always, Mark and family put on a great show!  Lots of great items to see and had the chance to meet up with old friends.  

[Jussi Ekholm]

Thank you from the pictures Mark. I always get quite comfy vibe about the US shows, they would seem like cool places to hang out even without intending to get anything.

[Mushin]

It was and is always a great show, thanks to Mark and his family, who infuse it with the DNA of Midwestern welcoming kindness. And many do come just to see people as well as have look see and don't get anything. Not me. I bought four tsuba this time around but no blades. That said sales seemed to be great and there were many fine pieces to be had, from Juyo masterworks to some promising out of the woodwork pieces at prices even mere mortals could afford. Truly, a great time was had by all. Thanks, Mark!

 

 

[Rivkin]

Great show and thanks for organizing it!

I have not been able to participate for two years and the experience was exhilarating. I hope everyone in the field gets to enjoy a show like this at least once.

[Soshin]

I had a great show. I took a few photos of me packing up and unpacking from the show. I sold two tsuba and reduced my collection of Japanese sword fittings by -1.  Thanks to @Mark and family for creating such a positive and welcoming atmosphere at the Chicago show. My wife Tamaki-san wants to join me the next time I go to the show.