Photos: Samurai sword class in Solon

Samurai Dan Coglan taught community members about the art of Japanese swordsmanship as part of the summer reading program at the Solon Public Library on Monday

Savannah Blake

Jul. 14, 2025 5:24 pm

Samurai Dan Coglan of Lone Tree shows Tristan Ivey, 14, of Solon how to properly stand during a kenjutsu sequence during samurai sword class at the Solon United Methodist Church Family Life Center in Solon on Monday. Samurai Dan owns the Akita-Ken Dojo, which offers classes two times a week at Big George’s Boxing Gym. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Samurai Dan Coglan of Lone Tree shows students how to properly hold a sword during samurai sword class at the Solon United Methodist Church Family Life Center in Solon on Monday. Samurai Sam uses a bokken for his students, which is a wooden practice sword. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Samurai Dan Coglan of Lone Tree goes through a sequence across the floor with Tristan Ivey, 14, of Solon, left, his father Eric Ivey and his student Nikki Becklinger of Indiana during samurai sword class at the Solon United Methodist Church Family Life Center in Solon on Monday. Samurai Dan travels around the country teaching Kenjutsu, which is the traditional Japanese art of swordsmanship. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Tristany Ivey, 14, of Solon goes through a kenjutsu move sequence during samurai sword class at the Solon United Methodist Church Family Life Center in Solon on Monday, July 14. The class was put on by the Solon Public Library as part of their summer reading program. The reading program is geared for children, teenagers and adults. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Eric Ivey of Solon practices a kenjutsu move sequence with samurai student Nikki Becklinger of Indiana during samurai sword class at the Solon United Methodist Church Family Life Center in Solon on Monday. Eric attended the class with his teenage son, Tristan. The Solon Public Library offers weekly programs during the summer that appeal to community members of all ages. The samurai sword class was taught by Samurai Dan Coglan, who has been practicing kenjutsu since 1996. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Samurai Dan Coglan of Lone Tree smiles as he watches his students go through a kenjutsu sequence during samurai sword class at the Solon United Methodist Church Family Life Center in Solon on Monday. During his teachings, Samurai Dan focuses on swordsmanship, which is the focus on technique and art of wielding a sword. Dan shows his students throughout the lesson what would be done during a sword fight such as where the blade would be used in battle if using the blade to defeat an enemy. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

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