Its About Time

[vajo]

Wow Stephen.

"Schaut geil aus!"

[Ken-Hawaii]

Very nice! Several of my tsuka have green ito, too, as do most of my sageo...guess it's my signature color.

 

Definitely ZCorr bags! They're used by the military in the field, & there are few other things we might use that are MilSpec. I like them so much, I sell them.

 

Ken

[Greg F]

It looks lovely Stephen!

 

Greg

[Brian]

That same really screams high class. Like the fittings a lot...the ito looks good, colour I'll leave to those less colour-blind than myself

[Guido]

  On 11/13/2017 at 8:41 PM, Stephen said:

1) I havent talked to Sal yet on my concerns, you might be able to tell from photos,

 

2) crazy what light will do, when under where daisho sits, the ito looks is blue to the eye,(mine) natural light gives me the dark green i was going for.

 

1) I have a good idea about what your concerns are, but then again, I'm a certified tsukamaki-Nazi

 

2) That color is probably nando-iro  納戸色, kind of greenish-blue, depending on the light. A more "true" green would be fuka-midori 深緑; both are traditional tsukaito colors.

[Stephen]

1) I have a good idea about what your concerns are, but then again, I'm a certified tsukamaki-Nazi 

 

 

Guido please expand, its needed to be heard to grow his skills. 

[Hoshi]

Indeed, I'd love hear it. I am guessing you refer to the knot about the menuki, and the spacing between the final knot tied to the kashira. I think we could all benefit from expanding our appreciation of what constitutes a fine tsukamaki 

[dirtvictim]

That looks great. Don't go waving that all around.

[Guido]

Sorry for the late reply – I’ve been busy with meeting quite a few people that are coming in for the DTI …

 

Morohinerimaki seems always the style of choice for those who start out doing tsukamaki – especially those outside Japan and self-taught. And at first glance the method looks indeed straight-forward and simple enough. However, the correct hishigami and their placement, pre-stretching of the ito, and application of kusune need to be understood, preferable taught by someone who’s adept at it.

 

I’m not a tsukamakishi, so I don’t know all the technical details, but when looking at a properly done tsuka, there will be no gaps between the strands of ito, and the tome isn’t pulled too close to the kashira – both often the result of pulling the ito too tight.

 

I’ve attached a photo of morohinerimaki as I think it should look like.

 

[Stephen]

Thanks for your time Guido san, i knew it looked off but had no words to explain.

I figured it was busy DTI time.

Hai domo!

[Stephen]

Also understand Sal was dealt a handicap buy using a tsuka provided from another wak, and not having it in hand to finish the job, why because im a notorious conor cutter to save money. I think with time and more learning he will be a fine Tsukamakishi.

[Salvatori Moretto]

Hello everyone!
I was thoroughly appreciative of the chance to work on this project, and I see every project as a learning opportunity as no two projects are exactly alike
Stephen is also great to deal with!

Indeed I had some obstacles from the start; a tsuka that was not originally fit for the nakago, fuchi and kashira that were not originally fit for the tsuka, and the spacing of the ito and ultimately the length of the tsuka determined by the original fuchi. This all culminated in spacing towards the end that was less than satisfactory. The ito needed to be relaxed enough for it to end on the proper side, yet tight enough to be secure. Pulled too tight and it simply would have reversed the side of the knots completely.
Constructing a new tsuka core and proper fit and placement of everything is one thing. I attached a photo of a build I did for a customer where I built a new core and new full wrap of samegawa, predetermined spacing and major planning is key. Also uploaded is a wrap I did where the fuchi and kashira are original to the specific tsuka and again the results speak for themselves.

Being able to make slight modifications here and there to make things come together that was never intended to do so (mismatching components) is an art in it's own right though, one I am still learning :D It takes more than just proper hishigami and measurements, it's a type of art that takes skill and time to hone the right kind of judgement calls needed to make the end result appealing to the eye and yet still functional.

I'm humble for every opportunity that I get, I love this work and never plan to stop learning
Sincerely,
Sal'

[TETSUGENDO]

Stephen,

 

Loving all that warmly patinated copper.

 

-StevenK

[Stephen]

litle before n after same patch old hole.

 

 

[Stephen]

Nice to have this surface!! When purchased i did not know it had origami!

 

[SAS]

Interesting tsuba, is that one piece or two?

[Stephen]

 iron with copper mimi.  Recent message  says its Myochin, i didnt catch the age.