Wakizashi and Edo period Tsuba - Caleb Royer photo added!!

SBranson

SBranson

Joined
Oct 29, 2006
Messages
2,912
**EDIT... Caleb Royer photo added post #25**

I finished this about a month ago, it was delivered and well received so I thought I would share it here. I post it here instead of the sword forum as I consider this more of my home forum. Let me know please if I should stop posting these here. (seeing as my Gladius thread was moved)

The only real request was leather ito wrap and something black and yellow. In my searching for ideas for fittings, I came across some antique tsubas on ebay. This was one of my favourites and it found it's way into the project.

The blade is W2 and measures 18 3/4" from the machi to the tip. The sori, or curvature is a mild 6mm or 1/4". The geometry is shobu zukuri with a choji hamon.

Here's some photos. I find it very difficult to photograph swords so hopefully you can figure out the sum of these parts.



WakizashiJK14.jpg



WakizashiJK15.jpg


WakizashiJK1.jpg



WakizashiJK3.jpg



WakizashiJK6.jpg



WakizashiJK7.jpg



WakizashiJK8.jpg



WakizashiJK11.jpg



WakizashiJK12.jpg



WakizashiJK13.jpg



[youtube]6lnmMlH5Lgs[/youtube]

That's oil on the blade, not scratches.
[youtube]EwSTzG90Cnw[/youtube]
 
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Exceptional Stuart. I love the old tsuba with the new furniture. One question, did you water quench the blade or use a fast oil? Great choji hamon. Great work.
Brion
 
In light of a couple threads about discussion... I had a few thoughts about this one that I would like some input on.

What do you think of appropriating the Japanese style of sword when this is really nothing like a real "nihonto". I recently came across a very good documentary style dvd from Empty Mind Films wherein they show several masters of the individual crafts that go into producing a "real" sword. It was humbling in the extreme and even made me question the validity of producing these.

Another thing that "concerned" me was whether it was in poor taste to put an almost 200 year old tsuba on something I made.

Thanks.

**edit** Brion, this is water quenched, thanks!
 
That is absolutely gorgeous Stuart! I imagine that hamon is spectacular in person.
 
Fantastic use of the anitque tsuba! Is that red gold or copper details in it? I still have an aikuchi on the drawing board I am trying to build courage up to try someday, I will look you up for sure when I do. You got these things down.


-Xander
 
I have to say I appreciate this post here. I love it. And you did a magnificent job on the hamon. Very inspiring.

~M
 
Stuart,

Bravo! And three cheers for water quenching. That's a beautiful hamon, and a suitable reward for your gutsy approach.

So long as you do it with love and care, as you do, tribute to art and culture is always appropriate, in my opinion. Certainly, contemporary Japanese Masters seem eager to share their knowledge and dedication.

John
 
Stuart, before I read your questioning of the validity of you making blades like this, I was thinking, "This does honor to the tsuba and the craftsman who made it."

I say that any blade style is open to anyone to make, to follow the traditional forms as closely or as loosely as they wish. I think the only thing that is really required to me is that the craftsman keep in mind what came before and what the ultimate goal for the current piece is, and to produce something that honors its roots while serving contemporary needs.

A stainless wallhanger with an etched hamon and cast resin handle does no honor to its roots. The work you do certainly does. I delight in seeing how you tweak the somewhat straightlaced Japanese styles and traditions to produce exquisite work.

I vote to keep on keepin' on. :)
 
Thanks!

Thanks John and SC for the thoughts on my questions. I really did, and still do, stuggle with this. I will make more "traditionally" styled pieces and have plans for a tanto in the near future. Perhaps some instruction, in the sense of dedication, rather than just figuring it out will give me a physical connection to the tradition.
 
Stuart, personally I think the maker of the tsuba would have been proud to have it on your sword. The main thing to me is that it is being used and enjoyed.

I think I know what you are saying about a real nihonto. No this is not made with tamahagane, but think of it as a very fitting tribute to the swordsmiths. It is your interpretation of a nihonto and as such a very nice piece of art. I agree that watching someone like Yoshihara at work is a humbling experience. Amazing what they do and have done.

"So long as you do it with love and care, as you do, tribute to art and culture is always appropriate"

Very well said John and I agree totally.

Brion
 
Stuart, you never cease to amaze me. The work you produce in the short amount of time you've been doing it.

I have to agree with everyone else. You did the maker of the tsuba proud:thumbup:
 
I understand, somewhat, your dilemma my friend. But this is the path that you are on and you are doing what you have to do because you have to do it. Don't second guess yourself too much, but also there is a reason why you do and I think it's good. Just don't get too caught up in it, keep having fun.
Maybe you need to go to Japan.
 
John White said:
Stuart,

Bravo! And three cheers for water quenching. That's a beautiful hamon, and a suitable reward for your gutsy approach.

So long as you do it with love and care, as you do, tribute to art and culture is always appropriate, in my opinion. Certainly, contemporary Japanese Masters seem eager to share their knowledge and dedication.

John
Click to expand...

Agreed with all of that. And I hope the mods leave this one here as it's my home forum, too. :)

Beautiful work, Stuart!

Roger
 
Thanks. I appreciate both the comments on the sword and the opinions to my questions.
 
I have to second John and Brion. As long as you put your heart and soul into your effort, as you obviously have, you have done honor to the original maker and given the Tsuba a second life which in turn sort of makes the original maker immortal. I could only hope to make something that some one would feel compelled to pick up and continue in 200 years.
 
Thanks very much everyone.

EScott said:
... given the Tsuba a second life which in turn sort of makes the original maker immortal. I could only hope to make something that some one would feel compelled to pick up and continue in 200 years.
Click to expand...

I really like this sentiment.
 
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