Sword polishing is part of japanese swordsmithing where a blade is polished after forging. Swords have been made from as early as the kofun period, though most people generally refer to the curved blades made after the heian period when speaking of japanese swords. Through the centuries, the great connoisseurs have been polishers. It is especially important for the durability of the edge and surface friction of the blade. The entire process takes considerable time, in some cases up to several weeks. This book the art of japanese sword polishing have some digital formats such us. Pdf the craft of the japanese sword download ebook for free. Pdf pdf the art of japanese sword polishing collen. The polishing of a japanese sword, which began as a formal art form in the kamakura period 119233 is these days conducted in japan by a handful of specialists called togishi, who are heavily regulated and licensed by a governing body known as the nbthk nihon bijitsu token hozen kyokai the society for the preservation of the japan art sword. This book will give you a good background in all the terminology that needs to be learned.
Down through the years, the great sword connoisseurs in japan have been sword polishers. In early 2014 pablo kuntz, founder of unique japan, was approached by nhk enterprises in japan to take part in a 50minute documentary on the fine art of japanese sword polishing. Download now to understand japanese sword polishing is to understand the sword itself. Kiyomitsu saku harima daijyo eccyu 0215 fuchi kashira. To understand japanese sword polishing is to understand the sword itself. A very detailed book on the are of japanese sword polishing. A swordsmith can spend a large amount of time forging a. In love with the samurai sword nhk documentary on sword polishing above. Learning edoera blade polishing techniques from a japanese. Japanese art swords is a gallery in bellevue, washington dedicated to the art of traditional japanese swords, armor, fittings, and related items. Japanese sword the ultimate source for parts and supplies relating to the restoration and maintenance of the japanese samurai sword. A swordsmith can spend a large amount of time forging a classic sword, but refining and bringing out its final shape, color, and texture so that all the details of the steel and hamon the temper line are to understand japanese sword polishing is to. Japanese sword polishing sword polishing is part of japanese swordsmithing where a blade is polished after forging. These are the same quality as the professionals use, so having this kit, you are able to enjoy polishing sword at home as if you are a specialist.
One of only a handful of books on japanese sword polishing in english. Token konno sword shop konno nosyuiado sword store. A swordsmith can spend a large amount of time forging a classic sword, but refining and bringing out its final shape, color. There are many types of japanese swords that differ by size, shape, field of application and method of manufacture. Pdf download the art of japanese sword polishing full online pdf download trump 101. With 256 fullcolor pages, this sword book illustrates in meticulous detail how modern craftsmen use traditional methods to prepare their steel, forge the sword and create the. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Fujiami said he would love to spread this japanese art to other countries. The craft of swordmaking and its appreciation kindle edition by yoshihara, yoshindo, kapp, leon, kapp, hiroko. The polishers job is very important to the aesthetic and function of a japanese sword. Buy the art of japanese sword polishing book online at low.
The new style of polish is officially called the keshoukenma cosmetic polish, which was created by the polisher chiba hirai in 1905. Japanese sword restoration parts sword polishing services. The art of japanese sword polishing by setsuo takaiwa. Hardbound with slipcase, 8 x 10 12, 192 pages in english.
A swordsmith can spend a large amount of time forging a classic sword, but refining and bringing out its final shape, color and texture so that all the details of the steel and hamon the temper line are clearly visible is the. Japanese sword polishing kit almost all of the necessary items to polish japanese sword are set in this kit, such as several polishing stones and items for finishing work. Traditional japanese sword polishing services, buying japanese swords and antiques. Pdf the art of the japanese sword download full pdf book. If you want to learn ninjutsu, study with a qualified bujinkan instructor.
Once the forging of the blade has been completed and the swordsmith has given the sword a rough polish kajitogi it is then passed to a professional sword polisher. Pdf download the art of japanese sword polishing full. Japanese sword blade and sharpening stone and water bucket at 2008 cherry blossom festival, seattle center, seattle, washington. A swordsmith can spend much time forging a classic sword, but refining and bringing out its final shape, colour and texture so that all the details of the steel and hamon temper line are clearly visible is the skill of another craftsman. The art of japanese sword polishing setsuo takaiwa. Japanese sword polishing kit japanese sword polishing. Japanese sword polishing traditional polisher david hofhine. But the books true aim is to enable the reader to fully appreciate the beauty of a wellcrafted japanese sword. David hofhine, professional japanese sword polishing and. In the art of the japanese sword, master swordsmith yoshindo yoshihara offers a detailed look at the entire process of japanese sword making, including the finishing and appreciation of japanese blades. The sword collection represents a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in japan or japanese culture to experience a quintessential element of japanese aesthetics. Now if the sword is in a poor polish a polisher will recommend repolishing the entire sword and repairing the point at the same time. Sword polisher togishi, polishing japanese samurai swords. The art of japanese sword polishing is the first book in english to examine in great detail the polishers techniquesskills it often takes up to ten years of apprenticeship to master.
Im afraid some knucklehead will buy it and after once through hell think he knows how to polish a sword. After reading the book entitled the art of japanese sword polishing i now have a much clearer and detailed understanding of the process used by traditional japanese sword polishers. May 10, 20 the art of japanese sword polishing is the first book in english to examine in great detail the polishers techniques skills it often takes up to ten years of apprenticeship to master. The art of japanese sword polishing ppt, pdf, txt, and also kindle. This book examines in detail the polishers techniques. Click download or read online button to get the craft of the japanese sword book now.
A swordsmith can spend a large amount of time forging a classic sword, but refining and bringing out its final shape, color and texture so that all the details of the steel and hamon the temper line are clearly. A swordsmith can spend a large amount of time forging a classic sword, but refining and bringing out its final shape, color, and. The art of japanese sword polishing is the first book in english to examine in great detail the polishers techniques skills it often takes up to ten years of apprenticeship to master. The surface polish of a katana is as important to cutting as the geometry. It illustrates the methods, materials, and tools used for this process, but its true aim is to enable the reader to appreciate the beauty of a wellcrafted japanese sword.
Traditional japanese sword polishing is not a technical process like rebuilding a carburetor where you can simply buy the right tools, follow the directions and have a good result. How to polish a japanese samurai sword by david hofhine. The book takes the reader though all of steps from the foundation polish, used to shape and sharpen the direct download 357 kbps fast download 19 kbps. We provide all services related to antique japanese sword art blades. The craft of the japanese sword download ebook pdf, epub. Oct 17, 2017 rusted japanese katana sword kind of best restoration duration.
Normally, the 9 japanese polishing stones are used to complete the kenma. Japanese sword polishing kit japanese sword polishing kit. Japanese sword polishing and sharping hanbon forge. In love with the samurai sword earlier this year, i was approached by nhk enterprises in japan to take part in a 50minute documentary on the fine art of japanese sword polishing. Sword polishing techniques unique to japan when swords are displayed in museums outside of japan, they are probably hung on the wall crossed. An edge from a coarse grit stone may feel very sharp and cut well for the first few times, but it will quickly become dull.
I completely understand about polishing services being expensive, with the time taken, tools required and all. Jon bowhay is a renowned togishi sword polisher with over thirty years experience in sword restoration. Pdf the connoisseurs book of japanese swords download full. It is high art like trying to paint someones portrait. Bowhay completed a ten year apprenticeship in the hoami school of sword polishing, where he apprenticed six days a week under. The art of japanese sword polishing libreria deportiva. Japanese sword,nihonto is one of several types of traditionally made swords from japan. Dec, 2019 it is true that they had their own fighting systems with a sword, but keeping sword techniques a secret was the regular practice of almost all japanese sword schools. The art of the japanese sword conveys to the reader japanese samurai sword history and japanese sword care, as well as explaining how to view and appreciate a blade. Along with swords approaching 800 years of age, contemporary blades are also to be included in the exhibit, reminding us that sword making is a living art. A swordsmith can spend a large amount of time forging a classic sword, but refining and bringing out its. The art of japanese sword polishing crossed heart forge.
We offer blades and fittings from entry level to juyo token, and from the kamakura period to contemporary mukansa smiths. Antony cummins visiting a sword polisher in bizen japan. And from 10 am to 4 pm on everyday except mondays, they invite you to come and watch them work their magic. This book covers the complex polishing process used in finishing these swords. Sharpeners learning the ins and outs of stones and grits look to the japanese sword as one of the great expressions of a sharpeners craft, and wonder how such results are achieved. The older kenma style is called the sashikomi kenma. The way to success full online pdf download your first two years in youth ministry full online. Ill practice on my polishing methods on a cheap blade i have, and learn from my mistakes then ill try again once im confident enough in polishing. The way to success full online pdf download your first two years in. Michael hey paul, thanks for answering my question. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. It illustrates the methods, materials, and tools used for this process.
Japanese sword polishing traditional polisher david hofhine the best japanese sword polisher togishi will always have the longest sword polishing waiting list currently about 14 of my annual work is redoing the recent work of other professional polisherstogishi. To understand japanese sword polishing is to understand the japanese sword. Pdf the art of the japanese sword download full pdf. When swords are displayed in japan, they are in cases with special lighting so that the viewer can see the hamon differentially hardened edge and the jigane the folded outer steel of the blade.