cabowen Posted February 10, 2014 Report Posted February 10, 2014 Members: I have long been hunting for a very rare film made in 1957 in Japan by Asano Tatsuo titled "The Art of the Swordsmith"; the run time is about 27 minutes. The film stars Tsukamoto Okimasa and shows him working in his forge making swords. I have been hunting for this film on and off for close to 10 years....I am happy to report that at long last I have located a print. That is the good news: the bad news is it looks like I may have to jump through many many hoops in order to view it. I will keep this site posted as to my progress. I would ultimately like to be able to get a dvd copy of the film to share. I believe this may be the earliest footage of a sword smith at work in existence. It is possibly the only footage of a WWII era smith at work as well... Quote
ROKUJURO Posted February 10, 2014 Report Posted February 10, 2014 Chris, I wish you the best of luck with your quest! Of course it is a bit selfish as I hope to see that film one day, too! Quote
cabowen Posted February 10, 2014 Author Report Posted February 10, 2014 Thanks! I may need to find a university film department connection as it seems they only lend out prints to groups. I am going to keep at it, where there is a will there is a way...stay tuned. Quote
Roland Posted February 10, 2014 Report Posted February 10, 2014 Hi Chris, that's really great news! Please don't hesitate to ask for help here in the forum. May be the one or the other will be able to provide you with university contacts if necessary. Quote
cabowen Posted February 10, 2014 Author Report Posted February 10, 2014 Thanks Roland....some how, some way, I will make this happen... Quote
John A Stuart Posted February 10, 2014 Report Posted February 10, 2014 Hi Chris, Have you thought maybe Bob could help, being as how he is in the system? John Quote
cabowen Posted February 10, 2014 Author Report Posted February 10, 2014 Robert Hughes from Keichodo? Wasn't aware he was a university professor.....??? Someone with connections to a university film group is what would help...I have talked with the UW-Madison group as they have borrowed films in the past from the archive in Japan that has the print but they of course are not that interested in screening this film...I may have to try some government connections through Japanese sword collectors...I am awaiting word back from the archive about how I might best go about this... Quote
John A Stuart Posted February 10, 2014 Report Posted February 10, 2014 Well, I don't know his actual title, but, he is a prof of some sort at a school in Tokyo. John Quote
Stephen Posted February 10, 2014 Report Posted February 10, 2014 http://www.amazon.com/Art-Japanese-Swor ... ds=samurai getting ready to watch this, ill see if its a new one or re released one in question in 2010 Quote
Stephen Posted February 10, 2014 Report Posted February 10, 2014 nope its the one paul martin worked on http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2055693/rel ... dt_dt#akas AKA World-wide (alternative title) (English title) The Japanese Sword dont know if this would help or not Quote
cabowen Posted February 10, 2014 Author Report Posted February 10, 2014 Well, I don't know his actual title, but, he is a prof of some sort at a school in Tokyo. John Wasn't aware of that- I thought he dealt swords full time. I am sure he is not a full time professor- which is what I would need....But thanks for the thought... Quote
Lee Bray Posted February 11, 2014 Report Posted February 11, 2014 No, Bob's a full time professor and part time sword dealer. Or at least he was a few years back...we're all getting older... Quote
cabowen Posted February 11, 2014 Author Report Posted February 11, 2014 Never knew that.....Good for him.... Quote
w.y.chan Posted February 11, 2014 Report Posted February 11, 2014 Chris, please to know you are making progress with this. Not sure if my university or anyone there has any connection with this university? I wonder how good the quality is? If it can be cleaned up professionally before transfer to DVD. Wah Quote
Peter Bleed Posted February 11, 2014 Report Posted February 11, 2014 Chris, If Bob can help you, and a Japanese connection is what you need, go for it(!). Let me also humbly say that I have some suasion with the Kawasaki Reading Room at the University of Neberaska-Lncoln. I would also work hard on getting t copy of this film archved thru the UNL Center forDigial Research in the Humanities. And, would love to help. Please keep me in mind! Peter Quote
cabowen Posted February 11, 2014 Author Report Posted February 11, 2014 Wah and Peter: Sounds very good! Let me see where my inquires go and what they advise. The film is in the archives of a Japanese governmental foundation that only lends out films to non-profits, etc., for screenings. Seems there is a lot of red tape as I have said but I am working with one of their US office people. The film is in 16mm. I do not think they would permit any copying without a release from the copyright owner but that is something I am also looking into. Peter your connections may be just the ticket; perhaps you can make some inquiries in that department to see if they have any interest in obtaining the film for a showing.... Quote
Guido Posted February 11, 2014 Report Posted February 11, 2014 Robert Hughes from Keichodo? Wasn't aware he was a university professor.....??? ... Never knew that.....Good for him....Chris, we both know that there are English teachers in Japan, and then there are English teachers in Japan. Bob is an Associate Professor at Tōyō University, Dept. of Regional Development. He also runs a couple of humanitarian projects in the Philippines. Collecting and dealing in swords is just a hobby (among a couple of others) for him. Quote
cabowen Posted February 11, 2014 Author Report Posted February 11, 2014 Thanks for the added info....knowing how few tenured foreign professors there are in Japan, and having first hand experience as one, I know well the difficulties in obtaining and fulfilling such a position... I say again, good for him! Quote
Peter Bleed Posted February 11, 2014 Report Posted February 11, 2014 Chris, To move this thread back to the film... I contacted the Kawasaki Reading Room (remember Kawasaki makes motorcycles and subway cars here in Lincoln - Go Big Red!). The Director would happily get a copy of an early film on swordsmithing. They would curate a copy - could one be held - and they have good contacts in Japan. So... Please get me the titles etc of the film - Nihongo de - and the contact information on the agency wich has the print. This looks like it should be doable. Peter Quote
Clement Posted February 11, 2014 Report Posted February 11, 2014 From what i've found on jp websites : Title : 日本刀物語 Author : 浅野辰雄 in collaboration with 若井基成 and 安藤巌 Year : 1957 Quote
w.y.chan Posted February 11, 2014 Report Posted February 11, 2014 I'm almost certain a copy exist outside of Japan in the English speaking world with English subtitle. Wah Quote
cabowen Posted February 11, 2014 Author Report Posted February 11, 2014 Chris, To move this thread back to the film... I contacted the Kawasaki Reading Room (remember Kawasaki makes motorcycles and subway cars here in Lincoln - Go Big Red!). The Director would happily get a copy of an early film on swordsmithing. They would curate a copy - could one be held - and they have good contacts in Japan. So... Please get me the titles etc of the film - Nihongo de - and the contact information on the agency wich has the print. This looks like it should be doable. Peter Wonderful! I will send you the details by PM. I have contacted the Japanese Consulate in Chicago to see if they can do anything to facilitate this as well. One way or another, hopefully we can get it... Thanks again, Quote
cabowen Posted February 11, 2014 Author Report Posted February 11, 2014 I'm almost certain a copy exist outside of Japan in the English speaking world with English subtitle. Wah I am sure you are right, the problem is finding it....There is probably one or more of them rotting away in a basement of closet somewhere... Quote
w.y.chan Posted February 11, 2014 Report Posted February 11, 2014 I'm almost certain a copy exist outside of Japan in the English speaking world with English subtitle. Wah I am sure you are right, the problem is finding it....There is probably one or more of them rotting away in a basement of closet somewhere... It is actually quite a well known documentary in the West in the educational establishment. I'm waiting for a reply from an archive who might have actually got a copy. Don't be too optimistic at this stage though Wah Quote
cabowen Posted February 11, 2014 Author Report Posted February 11, 2014 That would be great as well....I have asked around and gotten nowhere here in the US. I haven't tried other countries though undoubtedly it was sent to the UK and who knows where else as well....Let us know what you find out Wah. And thanks! Quote
w.y.chan Posted February 13, 2014 Report Posted February 13, 2014 Good news!!!! I have located the film Chris, please contact me off NMB. Quote
cabowen Posted February 13, 2014 Author Report Posted February 13, 2014 Excellent! I have sent you a pm with my email address...Also and email...please let me know! I am on the edge of my seat! I have also made some progress and will share here shortly... Wow, amazing! Quote
Brian Posted February 13, 2014 Report Posted February 13, 2014 If the copyright can be sorted out...I hope this can be made available to the NMB collective..... Brian Quote
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