Recent Tampa shinsa process observations and questions

[Ed Hicks]

Recent Tampa shinsa process and questions.

 

Chris Bowen and Anita (I hope I have her name right) did outstanding work in Tampa shepherding all the folks who submitted swords and fittings through the shinsa...at times I am sure it was similar to herding cats across a hot parking lot, but it appeared quite well orchestrated throughout the weekend...Especially helpful were Chris' comments when writing up the results as each item was passed to its owner...Learned a lot and I hope to see another event there soon.

 

While watching the process I noticed the young Japanese lady who initially handled the swords use a wooden board (I assume to measure swords quickly) laid on the table in front of her...I couldn't see it clearly and wonder if there is such an item sold in Japan or elsewhere just for that purpose...It seems a clever way to measure blade length, sori and possibly other measurements. Ed

[b.hennick]

I have such a board that is laminated with alternating colour laminations with each lamination being 0.5 cm and a ruler running the length of the board. Lay the sword on the board, line up the machi and you have the length. Look for the greatest number of stripes (laminations) and find the type of sori and a quick read gives the degree of sori. When looking edge on the board is L shaped with a raised area to line the blade up against. I am not at home and so cannot photograph it for you.

[Gabriel L]

I wasn't there so I don't know what you are talking about exactly, but surely such a thing would be easy and enjoyable to make yourself? EDIT: or even ask a local carpenter…

[Ed Hicks]

Barry, That sounds like an elaborate set up...in hind sight after over 35 years collecting, this sword board makes perfect sense for quick and accurate measuring of all sword angles, something that is difficult to do well with just a tape measure...Properly designed it seems there should be quite a market for it...Has anyone ever seen similar item used or sold in Japan? Ed

[Toryu2020]

The item you are thinking of is called a Kenshaku 劍尺

 

　I have seen a number of versions over the years, all were home-made. I have one I should dig out and post photos of. If there was a commercial version would be nice to have one for club meetings and such.

-t

[Guido]

I think they are commercially available in Japan, I saw what seems to be the same manufacture often at Toroku-shinsa, dealer's shops, the NBTHK and so on.

[Ken-Hawaii]

Great idea, Thomas! I'm planning to build one as I can't find anything like it on-line, & it makes sense not to reinvent the wheel in the design.

 

Thanks!

Ken

[Ed Hicks]

If anyone finds a source with photos, price, availability please post it for us...seems it would be useful to all collectors and dealers. Ed

[Toryu2020]

Was not able to find any searching online in Japanese, waiting to hear from friends in Japan.

 

In the meantime added photos of the little portable model that I use to our website. Please feel free to persue the Kenshaku and other galleries; http://www.toryu-mon.com

[Ken-Hawaii]

Well, I thought this was such a good idea that I used my engineering skills to create a kenshaku 120 cm wide by 20 cm high, with 0.5 cm spacing; that should take care of everything but the o-dachi. I used AutoCAD, so the print-out is accurate to about a millionth of a centimeter (sorry that the JPG is blurry):

 

 

You can set the blade down & quickly measure total blade length, nagasa, & sori, & then turn the blade on edge & get mihaba, sakihaba, kasane, etc. with just a bit of interpolation. Our sword club board went nuts over how easy it is to use, & I'm selling them to all our members.

 

It's printed on heavy paper & laminated with plastic on both sides. I had a couple of them printed out at my local FedEx, & each cost me just over $17. So if anyone is interested in getting one, I'll charge $25 plus postage & PayPal fee. They roll up nicely, so all I have to find is a small, inexpensive tube to mail them in. Please let me know if you're interested via e-mail (jssh@catii.com), & I'll send you a return e-mail when I have the final price for the tube & postage. No reason why they can't be mailed worldwide, but that may take me another few days to get international postage rates. A light tube will keep the weight down to just a few ounces.

 

Ken

[Toryu2020]

Neat!

[Ken-Hawaii]

Thanks for the idea, Thomas! It was one of those things you'd never think you needed until it was in front of you, & you can see how much time it saves.

 

Ken

[Ed Hicks]

Ken, Does your version have numbers or just the grid? Ed

[Jean]

Ed,

 

Go to the "for sale" section and have alook at the "Kenshaku for sale" topic

[Ed Hicks]

On the way, thanks. Ed