Me, myself and I: A Newie & Swordsmith apprentice in Jap

[Soulsmith]

Hi All,

My name is Pierre Nadeau. I was born and raised in Montreal, Canada, but am presently living in Western Japan where I am apprenticed under a young smith named Kiyota Jirokunietsu (hey! just entered Doryoku-sho - Second Prize - for the second time at this year's competition!).

 

I was introduced and invited to this group by Brian, whom I've met at the Kyoto Sword Show a few weeks ago. Brian was in the midst of a buying spree, and I enjoyed watching him spend away his money.

 

I'm always eager to chat about my trade, and will welcome any question I can answer. Although I am soaking in the Source right now, I am very far from being close to knowledgeable, and so will be glad to enjoy your own erudition.

 

I am not very fond of computering, and so my replies might be scarce: don't take it personal.

Regards,

Pierre

---------

http://www.soulsmithing.com

[Brian]

Pierre,

 

It is an honor to have you here. Pierre was manning the All Japanese Swordsmiths Association stand at the Kyoto show along with Kiyota san and others.

I could be wrong, but I think Pierre would be the only current Westerner who is officially training in Japan to be a swordsmith?

Great webpage too, with lots of info.

Good to have you here Pierre, and nice to be able to get some insight into the world of current tosho.

 

On another note, am I correct that you can maybe facilitate a deal if anyone is looking to have a shinsakuto made for them, or are the waiting lists very busy right now?

 

Regards,

Brian

[w.y.chan]

Thankyou Pierre. It is interesting that a western swordsmith is giving the Japanese a run of the money in their traditional craft. Doryoku sho is 3rd prize but most smiths dont even get that.

[Brian]

Mr Chan,

 

I believe it is Pierre's master, Kiyota Jirokunietsu, that entered the competition. I think Pierre has a few years to go yet before he is qualified.

Kiyota san has a great looking sword in one of the books I brought back from Japan, but I will have to post a pic to identify the book in question.

 

Brian

[w.y.chan]

Thanks Brian, I did thought it may have been Kiyota san who won Doryoku sho soon after I posted, would have been some news if his student have got a top award instead of his teacher.

 

The result ofthe annual sword contest hasnt been released yet but I believe its been decided. Does anyone know if the Masamune sho been awarded this year or any new Mukansa designation?

[Eric H]

Great challenge ! Congratulations !

 

Eric

[Rich T]

Welcome. I believe you know a friend of mine, another mad Aussie

Andrew Ickeringill, whom you met in Japan. Andrew spoke very highly of you when we spoke last. Nice to see you here.

 

Best wishes

 

Richard Turner

[Soulsmith]

Thanks to both of W.Y.Chan and Brian.

You can have a look at the sword that Brian mentioned through this very bad scan on my Web site:

(bottom on page, click on image to enlarge)

http://www.soulsmithing.com/PERSONS/KIY ... otaEN.html

 

I've added some Japanese in here, so I don't know how it'll come out.

This thing with the Second and other prizes keeps changing around (including my own version!) so I thought providing the Board with a Verified and Official translation:

特賞 (Toku-sho / Tokubetsu-sho)

Special Prize - Usually 3-5 qualify - once you've got that 7 times, you're Mukansa

優秀賞 (Yushu-sho)

Excellence Prize - Usually 5 smiths qualify

努力賞 (Doryoku-sho)

Effort Prize - Usually 6-10 smiths qualify

 

Now as to the "official" results, I must add that they are coming out on June 5th, so we don't know about others. My master was informed a bit in advance.

 

I will try to provide you with an overview of the big hits once I'm back from Tokyo, if it's not published on the Tosho Kai's Web site (they are indeed still stuck with the 2005 results!).

http://www.tousyoukai.jp/english/index.shtml

 

I would be glad to support anyone interested in getting a shinsakuto made, should it be from my master or another smith. The common delay/price is one year/one million yen, but that changes a lot (usually longer/upward!).

 

Regards,

Pierre

[Kevin Adams]

Hi Pierre...I was exchanging emails with you some time ago about sending you the video we made when you and Kiyota-sensei came to Toronto last October. I seem to have lost your address though, so would you be so kind as to send me a private message with your address in Japan? I can then send a DVD off to you both...

 

Thanks!

[Reinier]

hey pierre,

 

nice to see you here on the board.

we mailed a while back about what it takes to become an apprentice.

anyways welcome!

 

best,

 

reinier

[Soulsmith]

I already knew but hey! this is a very small world...

Pierre

[Reinier]

so when do you think i can become your apprentice? (;

 

btw what is the price and waiting time for a tanto?

[Soulsmith]

I can take apprentices right away!

You come to my house, you sleep in the garden, you clean around, you cook, you massage, you hunt (you have to go around in underwear: no budget).

Sword forging? This is the Way, man!

 

...tanto is still a year in delay (no shorter because shorter ) and about 300 000 to 500 000 yen (I'd say 400 000).

We often say that a tanto is even more interesting to order to a smith because one can enjoy the whole blade in one look, whereas a longer sword requires one to look all over the lenght of it. By simply holding the tanto in front of you, you can appreciate the sugata at once. It is therefore at least as difficult to make a short sword than a longer one. The basic forging of the steel is the same, too.

 

Pierre

[Andrew Ickeringill]

G'day Pierre, it's been a while, welcome to the forum.

 

Great to hear about Kiyota-san's success this year!!

 

Hope all is well.

[Soulsmith]

Definitely a small world!

Hi Andrew.

Is Big Brother also a member here?

Pierre

[Curran]

Pierre,

 

Beautiful website. The pictures tell many stories to me.

You are living a very different life. I hope you keep a diary or weekly record.

[Paul Martin]

Is Big Brother also a member here?

 

Yes, I'm here

 

Hi Pierre and Andrew

 

Best

[Henry Wilson]

I am here too. Hi every one

[BenoitD]

Hello Pierre,

 

I am also part of this forum but I usually read more than I write

because I am no way as knowledgeable as most of the peolpe around here.

 

I wrote about you a couple of time on this forum in the past (only good

things).

 

I hope Kiyota Sensei liked the scarf we gave him when he came to

Eastman.

 

I will try to send you the pictures of you and Kiyota Sensei with Pascal

and all the participants.

 

J'espère que la santé et le travail vont bien. Bon courage.

 

Benoit Desruisseaux

Sakushukan Dojo

Eastman

[Soulsmith]

Salut Benoit!

 

C'est vraiment un petit monde.

Speaking in Frenglish.. I was just watching Bon Cop Bad Cop yesterday!

 

Kiyota-san was very happy with his carf. He is looking foward to another, more leisure-oriented stay in Québec.

 

Au plaisir,

Pierre