sayagaki ink

[Mark C]

Hi All,

 

Having various swords with papers in shirasaya and a Japanese friend who has said that she will do the sayagaki for me, I have one question:

 

What ink is used for sayagaki?

 

Many thanks for your help

 

Regards

 

Mark

[Grey Doffin]

Mark,

I don't know about the ink but I can tell you, that unless your friend is a recognized authority on Nihonto, I think her saya-gaki will decrease the value of your swords. When the time comes to sell, the buyer will ask who did the gaki, and if you're honest in answering many buyers will either pass or expect a discount. I know I would. Saya-gaki is supposed to be a meaningful opinion from someone qualified to give one. Anything else is something I'd rather not have.

Maybe I'm wrong about this. Anyone else care to chime in?

Grey

[Mark C]

Hi Grey,

 

Thanks for that.

 

I was going to get her to copy from the papers the smith, era and length.

 

I don't intend to sell but who knows what might happen in the future so your advice is sound advice and I will leave well alone.

 

Many thanks

 

Mark

[Grey Doffin]

Mark,

Unless you intend to buried with the swords you intend to sell (you or your heirs). Glad you're leaving them alone.

Grey

[Bungo]

" Saya-gaki is supposed to be a meaningful opinion from someone qualified to give one. Anything else is something I'd rather not have.

Maybe I'm wrong about this. Anyone else care to chime in? "

 

Heard it through the grapevines years ago that John Yumoto Sensei was " chastised " by Dr. Homma ( I think, or one of those Big Shots from NBTHK ) for writing a saya gaki on a very good Wakazashi...... rumored to be one of the best sword now in Canada .

I think Der Ombudsman of Jss/Us can shed light on this......... yoooooo, Barry ( Not Obama ), where are you ?

 

Milt

[Bungo]

but then, items with lots of " oriental " writings seem to sell well on auction sites like e-bay etc........

 

strange world we live in.

 

milt

[b.hennick]

John Yamoto did write one sayagaki and did get hell for doing it. The blade is not a wakizashi but a large katana by Tadakuni. The sword is in his book twice as there is a photo of the three body cutting test and the Tadakuni mei. Nabeshima did the polish, habaki and shirasaya. It was the first great sword I ever held and after the death of the owner I was able to buy it from the estate. Previously it was never for sale.

[Henry Wilson]

Getting so one to write the info of the nakago on the shira saya would not decrease the value I think. I can't see how anyway...

[Nobody]

Having various swords with papers in shirasaya and a Japanese friend who has said that she will do the sayagaki for me, I have one question:

 

What ink is used for sayagaki?

I am sure that your friend knows what the ink is, if she says that she can write the sayagaki.

 

Refer to the following link.

http://www.drue.net/sumi-e-ink.htm

[Justin]

A calligrapher I know here in Australia said that sumi (Japanese ink) is made from soot and gelatin.

 

I don't see any problem with writing the smith, era and length of the sword on a new shirasaya (as long as the sword is papered and your doing trying to do your own attribution or anything like that). Some people do this in order to catalog and identify their swords a bit easier. I wouldn't do it to an old shirasaya that has a nice patina though.

 

Another option is to purchase a paulownia box and write the sword details on this. Please find attached an example from my collection:

[Henry Wilson]

Nice box Justin! Love the calligraphy.

[Guido]

An "inventory Sayagaki" - name of the smith and date (as found on the Nakago), or name and period (if Mumei and papered) as well as the length - doesn't neccessarily increase the value, but also doesn't decrease it. I've seen quite a few (most recently a contemporary one on a Tokujû Kanemitsu), and basically it's the earliest form of Sayagaki. Adding comments, and signing it, is better left to the experts, and there are only a few I can think of: Kunzan (Dr. Homma), Kanzan (Dr. Satô), Yoshikawa Kentarô and Honami Kôson and Nisshû (all deceased), and Tanzan (Tanobe Michihiro) and Honami Kôshû who are presently doing Sayagaki.

 

As I said before, having a Sayagaki done for easy identification without drawing the sword is not unusual (although the same can be achieved by attaching a label to the Shirasayabukuro, also frequently seen), finding a calligrapher who can do it properly is a different story altogether. If someone claims that he can do it, but doesn't know that regular Sumi should be used, is highly suspicious IMO. I also think that many non-Japanese can't properly judge the quality of a Sayagaki in terms of calligraphy.

 

The lady who did the Hakogaki for Justin is a rare exception. She also did a Kakejiku for me not too long ago, and everybody who saw it was full of praise - including my wife's aunt who is a Sumi-e teacher. But if someone can't provide credentials - or if you're not able to judge the quality of the calligraphy by yourself - less is more, i.e. no Sayagaki is better than a potentially crappy one that most definately will decrease the value.

[Mark C]

Hi All,

 

Lots of good answers, thanks.

 

It was just a kind offer from my friend that after reading the above I will decline.

 

The box or label on the Shirasayabukuro are the best way to go I think.

 

Many thanks.

 

Regards

 

Mark