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A Japanese Media Visit to the Forge
We had a visit from a crew filming for TV Tokyo today. They were interested in some footage of the workshop and a brief interview. A great group of guys to meet and work with, we covered a lot of ground in a few hours and they probably learned more about steel than they bargained…
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On Swordsmith Apprenticeship
A traditional apprenticeship does not consist of asking someone to “teach” you, instead it is asking to sit in a corner doing mundane repetitive work to build discipline while carefully observing a master at work to glean as much information as possible. This is not a bad thing by any means, but you need to…
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Aizu Shintogo Kunimitsu Tanto Kata
A kata is a pattern or form used for study or reference when creating an utsushi blade. The exercise of accurately making kata based on the work of historical smiths is an excellent way to train the eyes, mind, and body to create proper forms. This particular kata is based on a beautiful tanto made…
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PKN16 Presentation: Before & After
See the finished Mikazuki Kotanto project: Mikazuki Kotanto
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Chopping charcoal (sumi-kiri)
More about making blacksmithing charcoal: How Charcoal is Made
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Antique Japanese Farming Tools
Interesting tools used to manage a rice field and a mountain forest in the Japanese countryside. I have the privilege of being able to help out from time to time on the family farm. When we are in town, I enjoy hunting through the workshop and barn to see what old tools can be found…
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Sharpening a Nata (variation of a Japanese brush knife)
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Sharpening a Kama (Japanese farmer’s sickle)
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Japan Countryside
A brief glimpse into a day in the life of modern day rural Japan. Selective management of a Hinoki Cypress forest on a mountainside. I had the rare opportunity to assist grandpa in the management of his acre or so of mountainside Hinoki Cypress forest. From time to time he selectively thins the trees and…
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Japan Photo Essay: Mountain Forest & Bamboo
Some of the flora and fauna encountered in a mountain forest in the Japanese countryside.
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Japan Photo Essay: Traditional Architecture
Photographic inspiration from traditional Japanese construction. Additional views here. This is by no means a comprehensive introduction and there is much more to say on the subject, but here are a few interesting images of the creative use of clay, straw, wood, and stone to create beautiful and lasting structures. The first several images are…
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Japan Photo Essay: Garden
Photographic exploration of a private garden in rural Japan. A few views that caught my eye in a small traditional garden in the countryside of Kansai, Japan.
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Japanese Traditional Craft Exhibition
An exhibition of traditional Japanese arts and crafts held in Osaka Umeda, May 2013.
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Walnut Houchou
A reclaimed harrow tooth combined with walnut and hand hammered copper to create a utility knife with Japanese style mounting. One of a pair designed in collaboration with a Japanese collector, this piece has been forged and shaped from entirely reclaimed materials and is mounted in the traditional Japanese manner using only a single bamboo…
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We Are Moving Shop!
After several years hiatus in Japan, it was time to pack up the tools from cold storage in Canada, dust off the anvil, set up shop on Vancouver Island, Canada, and get the fire going. We are packing up house here in Kansai, heading to Canada this Fall, and will be located mid-island in the…