Bookie is at it again

ah Bac Si, while I like that set, they don't have the spark that the O-Wak has. Perhaps because I didn't see them being made and I really enjoyed the glimpse into the making and polishing of the O-Wak so much :D Seriously though, they look gorgeous, details please. Are those iron tsubas? I like the black on black on black with just the white same. Looks like a very clean blade too. I wish I could "feel" them but I am just not getting anything from them. I am horrible at figuring out details from pictures. I need to be able to see the blades properly to be able to know anything about them.
 
Finally, since I can't seem to cash in my chips properly, work on the wakizashi recommenced.

Wakizashi (脇差 "companion sword"): A general term for a sword between one and two shaku long (30 cm and 60 cm/1 to 2 feet in modern measurement), predominantly made after 1600. Generally it is the short blade that accompanies a katana in the traditional samurai daisho pairing of swords, but may be worn by classes other than the samurai as a single blade, also worn edge up as the katana.

Sword making in Japan is very strictly controlled by the government and traditional methods are required to be followed. I do not believe "replica" swords like found on eBay are allowed to be made in Japan, but I actually know little about the production, so will say no more.

Now, let me say up front that this is not an accurate replica of a wakizashi, but one that is extremely personalized to me and to add proof that I did it, not by one of the mass production facilities in China, or a person who does this work for a living. This is my first--and probably last, but it is all mine and all me. The blade is still not cleaned up, but it's sharper'n the dickens....and it will perforate completely through one of the hollow wooden bedroom doors common to the inside of houses, and that is exactly why it was created.

Work on the tsuka (handle) is now complete. 12 photos follow that show some of the myriad steps, several which are performed almost simultaneously, or so it seems.
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[/URL][/IMG]The tsuka was made from two pieces of poplar glued together and then shaped.

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[/URL][/IMG] The next shot is of the cavity being created to position and hold the same (sting ray skin) on the tsuka.

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[/URL][/IMG] There is a lady in Thailand who makes billfolds and purses from sting ray skin. I bought one that is already tanned out, dyed, and a whitish diamond shaped decoration applied to the center of the skin.

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[/URL][/IMG] The same was cut into two proper sized strips to fit the tsuka.

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[/URL][/IMG] The tsuka was blackened so raw wood was less apt to be seen if the same did not fit perfectly. Two pieces of tape were applied to the sides of the tsuka, the ito (handle wrap) was stretched tight and then measured for width. The width dimension was then marked on the tape, all the way to the kashira (end cap). There MUST be an odd number of divisions marked or you will need to shorten the tsuka or use skinnier ito.

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[/URL][/IMG] The same was glued to the tsuka and secured in place to dry over night. Plain ol' Elmer's Glue is great stuff for this operation.

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[/URL][/IMG] After the same had dried properly, the mekugi-ana (hole for the mekugi) had to be located, drilled, and tapered extremely carefully. EXACT is a good description here. The mekugi (small, tapered bamboo peg used to secure the handle to the sword blade) was made and the ends blackened to make it more attractive when in position. Fit is most critical to insure safety and that secure assembly of the entire wakizashi is not compromised.

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[/URL][/IMG] Now it's time to check the fit of all parts to make sure everything is proper and square to the world.

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[/URL][/IMG] The fuchi (tsuka end cap that fits next to the tsuba (hand guard) was fit over the ends of the same and than affixed onto the tsuka-maki (handle making & wrapping operations) jig I made. The ito is a nice brown color and the center of 10-12 feet of it was located and glued to the tsuka to assist me like a third hand when wrapping commences.

The style of ito wrapping is a combination of 3 distinct styles. Why? Because I like these three styles and to accommodate the mounting of my sterling silver Master Army Aviator wings which I wanted to use as a menuki (Metal decoration on each side of the tsuka. They allow the fingers to wrap around something solid, thus giving them better purchase and the wielder a better grip on the sword), and I wished the larger portion of the wings to be visible, yet secure enough that the wak can be used properly--NOT to be a wall hanger or decoration, comprehende amigo? Also, since this is a one handed sword, a second menuki was not felt to be needed on the opposite side of the tsuka and that is also why the same with the white diamond was selected. Makes it still decorated.

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[/URL][/IMG] The ito has been wrapped and the two end knots tied in place. I added epoxy to make certain the ito wore out, not fall off because it came loose. The two end knots were made on the opposite sides what most tradition calls for (but not all) because I like to be different. Since this is not a high dollar replica or an original Japanese Nihonto, I can do pretty much what I wish, eh? (Now of days Nihonto is usually used to indicate a sword made in Japan from Tamahagane (traditional Japanese steel made from river sand).

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[/URL][/IMG] The ura side (inside) of the tsuka as it is worn. Can you make out the diamond?

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[/URL][/IMG] Finally, the omote side (outside) of the tsuka as it is worn ha (cutting edge) up. Now back to blade polishing.
 
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Very nice. I like how you got the wings in as the Menuki. I knew you wanted as much of them showing as possible, but you managed to get even more than I thought possible.
 
I'm far beyond speechless. You never cease to amaze me. That thing is incredibly awesome.
 
Bookie - you are one talented individual, I hope that you'll somehow be ale to pass on your skill to a worthy apprentice.
 
cul4u01 said:
Bookie - you are one talented individual, I hope that you'll somehow be ale to pass on your skill to a worthy apprentice.
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I think in Bac Si's case it would take a whole horde of apprentices to soak up all the knowledge. Too many skills and too much talent for 1 poor head too hold. :D

I LOVE the unique touches embedded into the exceptional tradition. Everything following tradition EXCEPT where it makes a particular statement about the maker/wearer of this blade. Truly an example of Kachou Fuugetsu. This translates to "Flower, Bird, Wind, Moon" But the meaning of the saying is to Experience the beauties of nature, and in doing so learn about yourself. In this case the beauty of the blade speaks very specifically to learning about Bookie.
 
A real Masterpiece, in every sense of the word. Bookie's art and skills are truly astounding!
 
Amazing work, thanks for posting. Following along the steps, I have a couple questions. Did/does the wood get any type of finish? Is the wrapping a trial run, with the blue tape still on the wood?
 
Fellow forumite with the superior first name, allow me to answer your questions thusly: The wood is left raw and should last more than 1000 years providing the owners do their part in maintenance, preservation, and common sense. The wrapping was indeed a trial run and my first run, but it was also the only wrapping the tsuka will get from me as it is a one time on and that's it. It is not perfect by any meaning of the word, but it will do more than I need to ask of it to do. A sword expert can pick it apart all day long and be absolutely correct (I'd have to kill him when he was done, but that would be another story) but this will suffice for my mental exercise and perform like a champ, regardless of it's correctness or lack of refinement. I used blue tape in lieu of pasting two thin pieces of thin, white paper to the wood that would accomplish the exact same thing, so the blue stays.

The blue shows in a few places and it shouldn't do so. The wrapping will get lacquered before the wakizashi is completed. That will turn the ito darker and the blue will be covered over. Very small brushes are used for this. The lacquering will be with American lacquer. Real Japanese lacquer is not allowed in the US as it is highly poisonous. Lacquering coats the ito extremely well and prolongs it's life as well as making it more durable. Real Japanese lacquer is so effective that there are swords that have paper used as ito, lacquered, and still serviceable after hundreds of years. It also makes the paper look like burnished leather so well that many people can't tell one from the other.
 
Thanks for the added details! The wrapping looks great to me, I was just confused about the blue tape. Cheers!
 
Don't feel bad being confused.....that's where I live and it ain't so bad really.
 
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