Juyo Naotane

[Alex A]

Thank you

[Brian]

Huge thanks Andrew, that was a brilliant write-up and extremely educational.
Not sure if I should lock this now, or leave it open to polite discussion. For NOW...I'll leave it open but will delete without comment, any off topic, or confrontational posts. Keep it polite and on track folks.

[drbvac]

Extremely interesting and educational and written in a scholarly non-confrontational style so we all can LEARN and not just rant and belittle others.  Points out that what is seen really is in the eyes of the beholder but more importantly is the point of view - especially if seen from all perspectives with an open mind. That's what life is - see it through the eyes of others and respect their vision 

[Bryce]

G'day Andrew,

I really appreciate your detailed and insightful reply.

Cheers,

Bryce

[b.hennick]

Thanks Andrew you explained things very well. 

[Jacques D.]

Andrew,

 

Can you, please, tell me what the term tsukurigane means ? I don't know it.

 

 

Many thanks in advance.

[Jussi Ekholm]

Thank you for sharing the knowledge Andrew. I think this post is very important for appreciation of Naotane (and others too), so big thumbs up for writing it on the forum. It was a pleasure to read and very valuable knowledge to have in English too.

[drbvac]

9 hours ago, Jacques D. said:

Andrew,

 

Can you, please, tell me what the term tsukurigane means ? I don't know it.

 

 

Many thanks in advance.

From his reply 

"Tsukurigane (‘tsukuri’ generally translates as ‘making’ or ‘to make’ or relates to a particular technique of manufacture such as ‘shinogi-zukuri’, but in this case I believe ‘tsukuri’ infers a meaning of the steel being controlled or contrived). It’s a type of kawagane which is made by forging together two or more different billets of steel, often forging them together using a relatively low number of folds. The different billets used in the process can each be folded in the same pattern (e.g. ko-tame) and can be of the same number of folds, so when they’re combined, there’s no discernible difference between them in terms of the pattern or the fineness/tightness of the grain. But, these different billets usually have vastly varying carbon content, which means once polished they’ll produce different colours and textures, and different amounts of ji-nie, which is what creates the chikei effect running through the jigane. The less you fold these billets together to combine them, the larger the chikei pattern it’ll create, and the larger the difference in carbon content, the more contrast there’ll be in the chikei. Apparently, combining them using limited folds, but without producing kitae-ware is extremely difficult, but when done masterfully as Naotane was able to achieve, it can create a very beautiful chikei effect flowing through the jigane."

[Jacques D.]

Brian, 

 

I know perfectly well what tsukuri means but I have never seen it associated to the word gane, that's why I ask the question (I have my little idea but I prefer to have the answer of the one who used it).

[Andrew Ickeringill]

To clarify further tsukurigane 作り鉄 (literal translation = made steel) is a forging process that involves mixing steels of varying carbon content in order to produce a chikei-like effect in the jigane. If you’re after a more definitive translation, I don’t really have one, but it seems the term is used for any kind of jigane that contains chikei that weren’t formed “naturally” in the forging process, such as ayasugi-hada, uzumaki-hada, the imozuru found in satsumato or the matsukawa-hada of Hankei. So, perhaps the closest translation is ‘unnatural steel’? But to me, that’s not a very flattering definition, especially when looking at the incredibly beautiful results of this technique when performed by a master.

 

I’ve also heard the term mazegane 混ぜ鉄 (literal translation = mixed steel) used to describe the same or similar process. I’ve heard some craftsmen use the terms tsukurigane and mazegane interchangeably, while I’ve heard other craftsmen separate these two terms as slightly different, based on the materials used I believe. I think it depends who you ask and their school of swordmaking, but I’ve not seen these terms explained before in text, only heard them in conversation, so it’s difficult to nail down exact definitions/translations.

 

You could call tsukurigane and mazegane both 'mixed steel' and you'd be correct, yet to some craftsmen there are differences.

 

Hope that helps somewhat.

[drbvac]

Thank you Andrew - just spent some time on your website and your work and shop are spectacular - too bad you are exactly on the opposite side of the earth from me !

 

[Jacques D.]

Huge thanks Andrew.

[Alex A]

Aye, great to hear from someone with in depth knowledge and experience on the more complicated aspects of this hobby, appreciated.

 

Andrew, if you ever get the time or inclination, be really good to find out what life was like as an apprentice living in Japan, the ups and downs of the job.. Many here say they would love the chance but im guessing its not all plain sailing.

 

Thanks again.

 

 

[Rivkin]

Makes me feel old.

I remember the times when you just said "ko mokume" when asked, and for advanced questions you had to distinguish hard versus soft.

Now there are dozens of new nouns to remember - just for the sake of speaking the "appropriate" language.

[drbvac]

Hahahaha -  Just thought it is the same now with PEOPLE - Used to be just Male and Female, now there are 10 new terms for orientation depending on how someone "identifies".  Humans do tend to want to expand ways to describe anything - there are 20 new colors every day !!!!!!!