Early film of Miyari Akihira

[Ford Hallam]

Fantastic old film about the legendary swordsmith Miyari Akihira. This is shared with us on my good friend Allen Rozon's youtube channel Tamahagane Arts.

The narration is well dodgy though

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7z9pkQnz_0

 

and another one, evidently a little later.

[cabowen]

Thanks, that film is really wonderful...

 

Not much has changed at his home or forge since the film! It was a nice touch to show him skipping stones with his children along the Chikuma river-priceless...

[Peter Bleed]

Thanks, indeed, Ford. This is a great view of what premodern swordsmithing must have been like. I looked and looked but couldn't see a power hammer. It seems he was not using one when this film was made. The production process was very clearly presented, but I just suspect that they time line presented was longer than waht was reality in premodern times. I also liked the treatment of using recycled old iron. This is a point that is rarely remembered now that tamahagane is being produced. I was fortunate to be able to visit Miyari-san's home in the mid 70s. At that time, the driveway up to the residence looked much like a scrap yard with piles of old iron - teapots, nails, anchors and more.

 

Peter

[Brian]

Great videos, thanks for sharing Ford.

Sucks if you are a collector of old iron kettles.

 

Brian

[drdata]

Thanks Ford.

 

I believe this is the first time I have seen Yasurimei being done.

 

As expected, the smith makes it look so easy as hew free hands it with only his thumb as a file guide.

 

Also interesting to see all the work that goes into the component skin/core steel; trying to weld together that heap of chips must be a real feat.

 

Regards

[k morita]

Great videos, thanks for sharing Ford.

 

Chris ,

This Akihira's film was shot in 1961 in Sakaki town(near Ueda city,Nagano prefecture).

[SwordGuyJoe]

Any ideas on who the students were in either of the films?

[Bugyotsuji]

Enjoyed those, especially the first. Thanks.

[george trotter]

Very interesting Ford. Nice to see, thanks for posting.

Regards,

[cabowen]

  k morita said:

Great videos, thanks for sharing Ford.

 

Chris ,

This Akihira's film was shot in 1961 in Sakaki town(near Ueda city,Nagano prefecture).

 

That's what I thought....Thanks for the confirmation...I have been to Miyairi san's home several times...

[laowho]

Just great. Thank you for this.