Yukawa's first sword as a registered swordmaker
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Yukawa's first sword as a registered swordmaker
My new sword is just about done. It's the first one he's produced since leaving his apprenticeship and going starting his new career.
It's been at the sword polisher's shop for a while now so it's going to be a close call whether it's done when I visit Yukawa san in a couple weeks. He sent me pictures and explanations of the process and I'll post them here. All the writing is his. I may have to do this in a few installments since I'm pressed for time.
This is my charcoal that I use to forge your sword. Most of what you see was used for your sword.
It's been at the sword polisher's shop for a while now so it's going to be a close call whether it's done when I visit Yukawa san in a couple weeks. He sent me pictures and explanations of the process and I'll post them here. All the writing is his. I may have to do this in a few installments since I'm pressed for time.
This is my charcoal that I use to forge your sword. Most of what you see was used for your sword.
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Re: Yukawa's first sword as a registered swordmaker
Hello Mark,
I am using this mail as there are sometimes trouble with the other.
Dr. O called and I will meet you by the exit of Shin-Yamaguchi exit on the 17th May at 10:22.
Still waiting for the polisher to finish your sword, when he is done it must be de-registered and granted export permit.
Meanwhile, here are some shots from several occasions, making the steel for your sword.
Yasha Yukawa
Here is the Tamahagane after it has been flattened into small chips and before I start constructing the block that will become your sword.
I am using this mail as there are sometimes trouble with the other.
Dr. O called and I will meet you by the exit of Shin-Yamaguchi exit on the 17th May at 10:22.
Still waiting for the polisher to finish your sword, when he is done it must be de-registered and granted export permit.
Meanwhile, here are some shots from several occasions, making the steel for your sword.
Yasha Yukawa
Here is the Tamahagane after it has been flattened into small chips and before I start constructing the block that will become your sword.
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Re: Yukawa's first sword as a registered swordmaker
Tamatsubushi, flattening and purifying tamahagane
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Re: Yukawa's first sword as a registered swordmaker
The flattened and selected by hardness, broken pieces assembled like a puzzle and covered with paper.
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Re: Yukawa's first sword as a registered swordmaker
Hours of observing flames. Feeding the charcoal fire slowly and steadily with air, watching for the correct hue, and the "boiling" sound. When the right temperature is reached, fusing all pieces into a block. Quick, before the temperature drops. Hitting carefully, or the pieces may fall apart.
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Re: Yukawa's first sword as a registered swordmaker
The finished sword steel is rolled, with softer steel in the core.
The surface facing the camera is the mune (back) side of the sword. Next, the steel will be stretched during "boiling" temperature. (in this picture is another sword, I missed taking photo, to much action. I´m sorry)
The surface facing the camera is the mune (back) side of the sword. Next, the steel will be stretched during "boiling" temperature. (in this picture is another sword, I missed taking photo, to much action. I´m sorry)
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Re: Yukawa's first sword as a registered swordmaker
Lengthen and establish the correct measurements in the tapering and inherent profile
The polishers name is Mr. Sakamoto, and is the same polisher that my old master employs. He is a veteran polisher around 70 years old. I am sorry, but I can´t find any pictures of him.
The name of the craftsman who is making the habaki and shirasaya is Mr. Kuwano. Also the same as my old master employs. A very trusted team.
All good polishers have been busy for the annual sword exhibition until recently, and I reckon it was worth the extra time.
Perhaps I could pay them a visit in Fukuoka if I find the time, it´s about 2 hours drive...
The polishers name is Mr. Sakamoto, and is the same polisher that my old master employs. He is a veteran polisher around 70 years old. I am sorry, but I can´t find any pictures of him.
The name of the craftsman who is making the habaki and shirasaya is Mr. Kuwano. Also the same as my old master employs. A very trusted team.
All good polishers have been busy for the annual sword exhibition until recently, and I reckon it was worth the extra time.
Perhaps I could pay them a visit in Fukuoka if I find the time, it´s about 2 hours drive...
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Re: Yukawa's first sword as a registered swordmaker
The hairs at the back of my neck are standing straight right now. I can't say I'm not jealous.
Where is the actual Tamahagane from Mark?
The steel he used was a mix. Some was new that he purchased but he also included some from a Shinto shrine that he helped repair and they gave him some 300 year old steel nails as a thank you for the assistance. I'll try and dig up a picture so you can see the differences in how they look.
Where is the actual Tamahagane from Mark?
The steel he used was a mix. Some was new that he purchased but he also included some from a Shinto shrine that he helped repair and they gave him some 300 year old steel nails as a thank you for the assistance. I'll try and dig up a picture so you can see the differences in how they look.
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Re: Yukawa's first sword as a registered swordmaker
Here is what Yasha said about the steel composition:
"I went to the Shimane tatara and selected the tamahage personally. It is of a very fine quality, as they fully renovated the underground structure of the tatara last year. This they do every 40 years.
The nails on the left in one of the picture, is made of ancient tamahagane. They sat in a 1300 years old temple in Hofu called Suo Kokubunji. A unique temple designated a national historical site, as it has been preserved in its original state. The nails was reclaimed, as they made a major reparation of the temple.. We are lucky enough to use these in your sword!"
Here is the shrine where the nails were harvested from:
"I went to the Shimane tatara and selected the tamahage personally. It is of a very fine quality, as they fully renovated the underground structure of the tatara last year. This they do every 40 years.
The nails on the left in one of the picture, is made of ancient tamahagane. They sat in a 1300 years old temple in Hofu called Suo Kokubunji. A unique temple designated a national historical site, as it has been preserved in its original state. The nails was reclaimed, as they made a major reparation of the temple.. We are lucky enough to use these in your sword!"
Here is the shrine where the nails were harvested from:
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Re: Yukawa's first sword as a registered swordmaker
Here is Yasha cutting charcoal into the correct size pieces. He said for the first year of his apprenticeship this is all his boss would allow him to do. If you've ever watched Jiro Dreams of Sushi he was like that poor guy that had to make
egg omelets for a year straight and watched as Jiro throw them out over and over again.
egg omelets for a year straight and watched as Jiro throw them out over and over again.
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Re: Yukawa's first sword as a registered swordmaker
His master, Matsuba Kunimasa of Miyazaki (that's what he calls his old boss) is one of the top sword makers in Japan. This is more or less what I'm going to be getting when it's finished.
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Re: Yukawa's first sword as a registered swordmaker
Very cool! The de reg process can take a couple weeks, so my guess is that you may be able to see it, but not leave with it. Looking forward to seeing pics!!
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Re: Yukawa's first sword as a registered swordmaker
It will be 2 years later this summer so I'm not going to sweat it if it's not ready for export. He's shipping it anyway since I don't think the airline would appreciate me walking on the plane with this thing and I'll be damned if I'm going to check it. Hahahahah
Re: Yukawa's first sword as a registered swordmaker
Wow Mark,
What a great prelude to seeing the final product.. I am sure you are waiting very patiently, without any excitement or angst.. LOL. Bated breath is undoubtedly an understatement. Super excited to see the final product though I might be a bit sad when the telling of the story ends..
Jamie
What a great prelude to seeing the final product.. I am sure you are waiting very patiently, without any excitement or angst.. LOL. Bated breath is undoubtedly an understatement. Super excited to see the final product though I might be a bit sad when the telling of the story ends..
Jamie
Re: Yukawa's first sword as a registered swordmaker
You never know, 'the Bride' t it in her hand luggageChefKnivesToGo wrote: ↑Fri May 05, 2017 3:06 pm It will be 2 years later this summer so I'm not going to sweat it if it's not ready for export. He's shipping it anyway since I don't think the airline would appreciate me walking on the plane with this thing and I'll be damned if I'm going to check it. Hahahahah