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Louie Mills (1944-2018)
I just received word that Louie Mills (Yasutomo – 康友) has moved on to the next stage of life, passing peacefully in his sleep this morning. A friend to many and generous with his knowledge and craft. He will be missed on this side but we hope to see him again soon under far better…
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Japanese TV Profile
turn on CC for english subtitles… Thanks very much to the guys who came all the way to the workshop to film for TV Tokyo. Here is most of my segment which includes footage from the visit as well as some of our own footage shot of charcoal making. Editing 5 hours of footage down…
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Louie Mills – Full Process: Yakiire
Filmed by Tony Mann, edited by davej. Read more about the Louie Mills here. Thanks to Tony for inviting me to be part of this project, and to Louie for allowing us to publish the footage and for being one of the pioneers of traditional Japanese swordsmithing in North America…ありがとう、康友 さん!
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Louie Mills – Full Process: Forging a Tanto
Louie Mills began creating traditional Japanese swords in the early 1980’s. Working with top Japanese swordsmiths to refine his techniques, he became known for the finest traditionally crafted Japanese swords made in North America. This project is the first after his recovery from a heart attack three years earlier. oroshigane – 0:33 (making steel from…
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Louie Mills – Yasutomo – 康友 – Forging a Tanto
Recently I was invited to contribute to a project documenting the work of one of North America’s best-kept secrets in bladesmithing and the closest thing we have to a living (inter)national treasure. Louie Mills began creating traditional Japanese swords in the early 1980’s. Working with top Japanese swordsmiths to refine his techniques, he became known…