Swordsmith and Tsuba-shi in The Citadel

[Ford Hallam]

As some may already know Taro Asano, a swordsmith from Gifu, is presently working and demonstrating his craft at The Citadel of Besançon in Franche-Comté, France.

Taro has a rare talent for making the inner workings of the steel accessible to non specialists so if you've never really seen what a Japanese swordsmith does with hot metal this may be a rare treat.

 

 

Here's a link to the sites website.

 

Next weekend I'll be joining Taro for 6 days to demonstrate my own craft as well as giving a short talk about the work. Bob Morrison will also be joining us and bringing along a significant number of fine tsuba which will be on display. Some of my own works will be on view too.

 

So, if you're in the area or can make it there we'd be pleased to meet you.

[Robert Janssen]

Wow that is a rare opportunity for us Europeans indeed!

 

I wish I had known earlier, I could have gotten the wife on board and plan a short trip to the south of France!

[Thierry BERNARD]

will be there!

[Ford Hallam]

Excellent Thierry

 

you can bring that cast tsuba of yours for us to examine.

 

regards

 

Ford

[Thierry BERNARD]

Ok Ford

 

I will bring it!

[Jean]

Hi Ford,

 

Are you in France? And when are you back to England?

[Ford Hallam]

Jean

 

we'll be in Besançon on thursday evening and leave on the 20th.

[Jean]

Foresee in your luggage, umbrellas, raincoats, boots, one of the worst weather forecast since....yesterday. Rotten summer in France, unseen for decades. taking into account all the rain fallen, you could as well forget the plane and come directly in hovercraft to Besançon.

[ROKUJURO]

....I could have gotten the wife on board and plan a short trip to the south of France!

Robert,

 

then you would have missed the event. It is in eastern France. I know because I am already in Besançon and look forward to seeing some NMB members.

 

Tomorrow we will probably have nice weather, but this remains an exception.

[Jean]

14/15/16, rain and storms

[ROKUJURO]

Gentlemen,

 

while Tuesday was really nice and sunny in Besançon, allowing some small work in the forge (the main work on Japanese blades is finished except one quenching of a HIRA-ZUKURI KO-WAKIZASHI), this Wednesday was a desaster as announced by Jean. Everything was blown away after having been well drenched with water. By 4.00 p.m. ASANO-SAN had to stop working for the day.

 

Probably Friday will not be better except for less wind.

[Jean]

Good luck and cross fingers. The meteo tonight was a bit less bleak.

[DirkO]

real pity I can`t make, spending my day off in hospital in stead (nothing overly serious) - would be very thankfull if some of the French membership can post some pictures maybe?

[ROKUJURO]

I was able to make some photos when we had nicer weather.

 

[Jean]

10h15, cloudy but no rain

[Jean]

Back from Besançon, cloudy and windy weather but not so bad. Very pleasant day, Serge (Kitsune) was there with two students and demonstrates Iaido, ken jutsu and Batto do, very fine and very impressive. Serge is a lovely guy, very friendly who does not hesitate to share his knowledge and furthermore very knowledgeable Nihonto wise. He made a kantei of sue Bizen Koto tanto in 10 seconds. A blade with two different side hamon. BTW, he has written three volumes on Nihonto in French, Koto, Shinto, Shinshinto. Brian has them, they are excellent.

 

Ford of course was fantastic, he made a splendid demonstration of his art and answered with a lot of humor to thousand of questions. Splendid and friendly guy.

 

I was there with Thierry Bernard, Jean C. (Rokujuro) - We spent together a very good day.

 

Even my wife, who is not a fan of Nihonto, enjoyed the day.

 

Unfortunately, It was not Taro san's day at the forge. (The week is split between a French and a Japanese smith at the forge)

 

I'll try to post some pictures later on as I have a week of ironing waiting for me

[Thierry BERNARD]

a good day with good guys!! what else??

[Jean]

Yes and too short, I wished it could have lasted a week. Here are a few pictures.

[Thierry BERNARD]

more pictures!

[Jean]

BTW, Katanakake were well known in Besançon Citadel and the region, many were manufactured locally.