Ford Hallam Has Passed Away

[RichardP]

So generous with his time, such a consummate gentleman.  RIP

[Steve Waszak]

I'm barely over the shock of losing Darcy, and now this...  Too stunned to say much just now.  Terrible news.  RIP Ford.  

[Bob M.]

When I last spoke with Ford , about a week or so ago although clearly very poorly, he was in a positive frame of mind, impatient to get the medical procedures out of the way and resume his work in his studio.

 

Today's dreadful news comes as a shock although sadly, in truth, not unexpected.

 

I first ' met ' Ford on the NMB when he replied to a posting of mine. We got on together quite well and then after a while started to look at the tiger tsuba project together.

 

Over the years we became friends and cooperated to build the basis of a collection that would be of good quality but above all informative and educational.

 

My thoughts are with Bella and family, Joel, Kyle, Jo and all those who knew him over the years.

 

Bob

 

 

[Greg F]

Very sad news.

Ford was a great artist with a unique wealth of knowledge. 

[uwe]

I never had the chance to meet him personally, but always admired his craft!

 

A truly artist passed…RIP Ford!

[Brian]

I fondly remember my visit to Ford and family in Cape Town when he was still living here. I was sad when he decided to move away from South Africa, felt like we had lost a real asset. What I liked about Ford was his no-nonsense approach to Japanese aesthetic and art. He could come across as grumpy and unbending. I liked that. It showed he had truly embraced the Japanese master/student tradition. He didn't hold back, and was willing to teach, as long as you were willing to learn.
His skill was way beyond comprehension, and the knowledge inside his head will largely never be recovered. He was troubled by his health, and torn between being left alone to work, and wanting to share his info and techniques. We used to communicate regularly, and I enjoyed his advice and comments.
I always said I "discovered" him too late to accumulate some of his work. Wish I had grabbed some of the deals I was offered. Such a huge loss to the international Japanese art world. Museums, collectors, students. Not sure he will ever be replaced, I only hope some of his students are able to continue his work. Condolences to all who knew him, he will be sorely missed. 

[SalaMarcos]

A huge loss for the tsuba world. Condolences for the family, friends and students. Thanks to his videos I could understand many things. Rest in peace sensei. 

[Jussi Ekholm]

My condolences to family & friends.

[DoTanuki yokai]

One of the most impressive people I had the pleasure of knowing.

Never thought he came across grumpy but very honest even when he knew it wont do him a favor, I respect that.

Condolences to his family and friends.

 

 

[Tohagi]

I pass this evening at Shinobazu,

I had a thought for him, I burned some encens sticks and drink a beer to his memory. Hope he would  have loved that... it was a very joyfull and peacefull evening in Tokyo.

[Moley]

Sad to hear today that Ford Hallam has passed away. A gifted Tosogu who made many wonderful pieces. I am very lucky to have some of his works in my collection.

 

A few words he sent me about this Koshirae: (Having the "simpler monogram mark" he mentions)

" Hi Gwyn,

The full mei I use was given to me by my teacher about 17 years ago. I've used that almost exclusively on tosogu since then.

The kanji read Fu O Do, this is the closest to my name phoneticaly possible with the On reading of kanji. The meaning is lit; walking in the kings/heavenly road.

The simpler monogram mark I used before this, and very occasionally on very small fittings, is actually made up of my initials, F I H
It was designed to seem slightly Japanese but not an obvious kanji.

 

Kind regards,

Ford"

[Bugyotsuji]

Very nice!

And loving the note.

(When the time is right, perhaps we could have a thread dedicated to his work.)

[Grevedk]

 

2 hours ago, Bugyotsuji said:

Very nice!

And loving the note.

(When the time is right, perhaps we could have a thread dedicated to his work.)

 

What a great idea to dedicate a place in which to view and admire some of his works. I believe quite a few members have his works in their collections. And - that might be a treat to see if it were to happen.

 

There are many extremely learned and skilled people who over time has dedicated themselves to this art - but not many can match his skills, his willingness to share his knowledge and ability to qualify his feedback. I will truly miss that….

[Brian]

Indeed, I will do a dedicated post to this, but will leave it for a few days to allow people to deal with the loss. But it will certainly be done.

[Bugyotsuji]

Thank you Brian. *I have run out of tokens today so cannot like your post.

 

This has been a hard month for me. With Ford, three acquaintances have left on eternal voyages, one a young Tsukamaki-Shi artisan from Osafune. 

 

*Later. Now I can.

[DanielM]

Very very sad news....what a great loss....

 

I will always remember him...i really appreciate the Tosogu thanks to his video...even after 40 years of interest.

 

All my condoleances to his family and friends