[Jim Kelso]

I wanted to start this thread a couple of weeks ago but life intervened. Ford and others made a reference to The Design and Creation of Jewelry by Robert Von Neumann, one of the few books in English with fairly accurate information on Japanese techniques. I loved this book early on as well and I thought a focused thread on materials in English could be useful.

Another of my favorites is Silverwork and Jewellery by H. Wilson and Unno Bisei (Pub. Pitman). As far as I know this is the only book from that period(1902) where the text was revised and approved by an actual Japanese mastersmith. Quoting H. Wilson: "I have had the priviledge of being instructed by Unno Bisei of the Tokyo Fine Art College, and the following chapters are based on notes made from his demonstrations. They have in addition been entirely revised by Professor Unno himself. The illustrations are from his own diagrams."

Sadly, there are precious few illustrations, but they are quite nicely done.

Unno Bisei was the son of the consummate metal artist Unno Moritoshi and studied with the great Unno Shomin. Credentials don't get much better than that. Sadly as well, there are few photos of his work. I'll post one from Kagedo Gallery. Two weeks ago I saw a fantastic pair of vases in New York at the display of Brian Harkins with one of the finest snowy winter scenes I have seen in silver and shibuichi. Unfortunately, I didn't heve my camera

This book is available from the usual scources(Amazon, Alibris, etc.) Make sure you get the one with Unno Bisei material. There have been several reprints.

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[Karl Carvalho]

Aloha Jim,

Thanks for the reference. Just ordered a copy of the 66' printing. (Funny to watch listings disappear even as I set up my order.)
Here's hoping a new book line can get started without too much trouble. Maybe a new forum?

mahalo
Karl

[Jim Kelso]

Hi Karl, I have the '66 as well. Originally, more than 20 years ago some kind soul(I've forgotten who ) sent me a photocopy of the relevant chapters.

[Phil White]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the reference. I'm afraid that I'm a chronic book collector, and I just might have to get a fix from this book.

I just picked up a book this week online from the Museum of Fine arts in Boston by Joe Earl called Lethal Elegance, The Art of Samurai Sword Fittings, MFA publications, 1994. The MFA also has a fantastic collection of high-quality tsubas, and most are photographed and available for viewing online. Well worth a look.

Some folks out there might be aware of it. The photographs alone make it worh purchasing.

Phil

[Karl Carvalho]

Aloha Jim,

BTW, subject of books spurred me to look for long lost boxes of relavent literature...success. Found trove of Bushell's, Reikichi, old NKS (now INS) study journals and many museum exhibition publications. Maybe this purchase can help answer questions from long ago. (It's coming back slowly.)

mahalo
Karl

[Dick Bonham]

Hi,
I just received the book that Ford mentioned "KINKO DENTO GIHO" (Traditional Soft-Metal worker's Techniques) by KATORI Masahiko, IO Toshio and IBUSE Keisuke yesterday from Amazon Japan. It is an excellent book. It covers many types of metal work such as lost-wax casting, sand casting, raising a bowl and teapot, chasing, inlay plus other techniques. It shows the tools used for each technique. The illustrations are all small and in black and white and the book is in Japanese but it does show everything step by step. It was $30.00 (however, shipping was $30.00). I just ordered "Silverwork and Jewellery" by H. Wilson and Unno Bise with the Japanese section. Jim, thanks for the information.
Dick

[Jim Kelso]

I want to make sure I don't mislead anyone in to thinking that Silverwork & Jewellery is an extensive treatise. It's not. It's main value is in that the information it does contain is so direct and accurate. It does contain some information on alloying shibuichi to obtain the "nashiji" mentioned elsewhere that was extremely useful to me at the time.

This forum now contains more accurate information that any other source I know.

These books will always be friends.

[Phil White]

Hi Ford,

Pardon my ignorance, but I am curious about the high-end metalwork arts scene in Japan. A am aware that there are a considerable number of top-quality netsuke carvers, but is there a large base of artists actively practicing quality original metalwork, tsuba, etc.? I know there are a lot of people producing knock-offs, or castings, but I am curious about the contemporary masters.

If they are on-line, could you suggest a few websites that I/we might have a look at?

Thanks, Phil

[Jim Kelso]

The tsuba making scene does seem in decline. Toshimasa(Masaichi Sakai) is now 84 and a little less active each year. Haven't seen anyone coming on, although I'm not much up on those activities. It's such a tradition oriented field, unlike the netsuke scene which has developed a contemporary faction.

[Doug Sanders]

I was wondering about the kingfisher- thought it was some sort of verdigris treatment on copper.

[Phil White]

Thanks Ford,

You would think that with the strong continuing tradition in sword-making that the associated arts would follow, but perhaps sword fittings haven't achieved the same mystique in the public eye as the blades themselves. Personally, although I appreciate what goes into forging a laminated blade, I find the fittings more interesting.

Phil

[Phil White]

Very nice!!

I like to see steel treated as a precious metal. It is a wonderful material, and very much under-appreciated.

I assume you are working mostly with mild steel? Have you ever worked with old (i.e. 19th century) wrought iron? Compared to mild steel, is like the difference between fine silver and sterling. It has a beautiful softness, and grain.

Phil

[Karl Carvalho]

Aloha

With respect to the beginnings of this thread, may I suggest these other readings?
For something a little different in traditional ironwork:
1) Japanese Cabinetry - David Jackson & Dane Owen;
2) Traditional Japanese Furniture - Kazuko Koizumi;
3) Tansu - Ty & Kiyoko Heinekin;
4) Japanese Antique Chests - Tokyo Furniture Museum
The first one is recent, a picture book with little technical info, but good closeups. The other two have small technical sections and so-so pictures, so try to borrow them. The last is a museum publication with decent pics and info on wood, metal and lacquer techniques.

A little off topic, but check out Understanding Wood Finishing by Bob Flexner. The best book ever. Just look at the reviews on Amazon. Cheap!

mahalo
Karl

[Jim Kelso]

Thanks Karl.