HANZO BLADES - 01-23-2008

Being asked by friends, i decided to show a bit from the forge. Kenshin is really near. See the shot, it's still hot and i wouldn't reccomend wearing it unless you want to get severe burns, but you can look forward a bit more specifically now :)

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HANZO BLADES - 01-23-2008

I'd like to point out a discussion on SLX forums concerning the copyright issues: here. I'm getting used to my products getting ripped and copied and i can assure you that you'll still find more quality and support with the original. As a result of that another theft i decided it's about time to get some new armors introduced. The Kenshin full armor set is on the way! Prepare to be carried away by the beauty :))

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HANZO BLADES - 01-23-2008

Millions of blogs out there, so why the hell would I start this one you might ask. Well I thought that some platform is needed for my online business to announce new products, have some FAQs available and of course to gather the reactions and product ideas from my customers.

I started playing Second Life in November 2006. In the begining I was as confused as anyone i suppose. I roamed the world without any place to go, played with other noobs in the sandboxes got caged many times, and sneaked around the well known shops knowing my zero L$ balance keeps me out of the play :)

Then I found the Samurai Island. By then it was just a single sim, but it was something i knew i was looking for. I've seen the Musashi's katanas, i've seen people dressed up as chinese long bearded masters, ninjas jumping on the roofs.... A paradise on (virtual) earth!

Being a graphic designer it immediately became clear to me that i can and will try to participate in the creation of this medieval asian part of metaverse. The sandboxes became my world for a couple of months. It was there the first Hanzo products saw the light of the day. First versions of Trickster armor, the Night reaper katana... unscripted of course, as i'm not a coder and try to avoid coding RL, i didn't feel like it in SL at that time.

One day, I somehow managed to get my credit card validated with linden labs. Wooooot! Let the spending begin! I bought my first land on the region of Tsonghappa, a tiny 512m plot. I built an asian looking two storey shop and placed the first armor and sword in there. Traffic being some 100-200, products being in their early phase, not much bussiness done those days as you can imagine. Still it was about then i decided the game should earn for itself. I still see it as an imperative today - and have been successful in fulfilling it.

After some time i rented a space at friend's sim, having more space and taking advantage of the present traffic there. It was about then Hanzo Blades crystalized into a quality asian accessories producer. I've introduced new swords (scripted, but non combat - those decors can still be found in the shop today), widened the line of the amor sets and introduced the first male kimonos. At that time me and a couple of friends being active in the C:SI community started the Onryo Samurai Clan. We didn't feel like being a part of a big official clan, unpersonal, with too many people not knowing each other at all. In the begining, the clan was managed by the triumvirate: Loki Dancer, Pru Primeau and Danielo Back. Jolly old times! :)

As the clan grew we began to feel the urge for more space. We wanted to have a sky arena for duels, some kind of HQ, where we could meet and live and we wanted it to look exactly the way we wanted. Hanzo was able to put up the funds for the purchase of 4000m plot in Neveryear mainland sim, where the base has been until today. Nothing like your own plot of land i can tell you :) The days to follow were filled with radical building and the base soon looked like a charm.

A side note: never let people get under your skin too deep. Hanzo was going up ballistic with the more traffic and charming surroundings... Nevertheless one day as it's written in the group charter: "the daimyo was killed in battle, onna bugeisha spirited away, yamabushi returned from mountains to find his village burning". The clan fell into pieces. It was just about too much commitment demanding as we found out. Today it's just a group of friends without a programme, teaching lessons, or whatsoever. Still keeping it's charter and logo though :)

Hanzo became the main project for me. Since then the base has grown to some 18+ km2, changed from an open garden to a historical castle, there's a new tea house and a mall in the garden and a cinema with kung-fu movies comig soon. At last I was able to introduce the combat swords, some female kimonos, building prefabs.... And am really hard working to offer the combat protection to ladies as well. Hope you're looking forward to it!

With this blog I'll keep you informed about the important changes, new products and events as often as i get some time to actually write it down :) Keep you spirit free!

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