Sisters Dia Burns, 12, and Lilith Burns, 10, took an educational course on Japanese katana on July 20, 2026, through summer programming offered through the Manistee Library. (Abigale Racine/Manistee News Advocate)
Manistee youth learned Japanese swordsmanship and samurai history at a library workshop.
Lilith Burns, 10, took a workshop teaching youth ages 12-14 about the handling and use of the historical Japanese katana sword on July 20, 2026, as part of summer programming held by the Manistee Library. (Abigale Racine/Manistee News Advocate)
MANISTEE — The Katana sword has been a part of a samurai’s legacy and Japan's history for over a thousand years.
Manistee youth and teens got a cut of history during two July 20 workshops hosted by the Manistee Public Library at the Wagoner Community Center.
Jerry Berg, of the Swordsmanship Museum & Academy, demonstrated historic samuari katana techniques at a Manistee Public Library event held at the Wagoner Community Center on July 20, 2026. (Abigale Racine/Manistee News Advocate)
"I'm not just a swordsman, I'm also a historian," he told the class.
The special program allowed youth and teens to hold a wooden replica while learning traditional Japanese swordsmanship techniques and the historic significance behind it.
According to its website, swordsmanshipmuseum.org, "The Swordsmanship Academy offers classes, events and fascinating programs to educate and inspire visitors to gain a deeper understanding of human culture using the natural curiosity about swords and other martial weapons as a facilitator. Swords many have been tools of war and combat, but now act as an educator to unify all people."
Jerry Berg, of the Swordsmanship Museum & Academy, taught the fundamentals of Japanese Swordsmanship at a July 20, 2026 Manistee Library event, held at the Wagoner Community Center. (Abigale Racine/Manistee News Advocate)
Dia Burns, 12, participated in a katana sword workshop offered through the Manistee Library on July 20, 2026. (Abigale Racine/Manistee News Advocate)
Quinn Tompke, 13, learned the basics of historic Japanese swordsmanship during a July 20, 2026 Maniste Library event at the Wagoner Community Center. (Abigale Racine/Manistee News Advocate)
Aaron Mullet, 12, learned the basics of historic Japanese swordsmanship during a July 20, 2026 Manistee Library event at the Wagoner Community Center. (Abigale Racine/Manistee News Advocate)
Jerry Berg, of the Swordsmanship Museum & Academy, taught the fundamentals of Japanese swordsmanship at a July 20, 2026 Manistee Library event at the Wagoner Community Center. (Abigale Racine/Manistee News Advocate)
Jerry Berg, of the Swordsmanship Museum & Academy, taught the fundamentals of Japanese Swordsmanship at a July 20, 2026 Manistee County Public Library event, held at the Wagoner Community Center. (Abigale Racine/Manistee News Advocate)
A July 20, 2026 workshop led by Jerry Berg, of Swordsmanship Museum & Academy, taught youth ages 12-14 about the handling and use of the historical Japanese latana sword. (Abigale Racine/Manistee News Advocate)
SerpApi.Org
