Having Sayagaki Done in the USA?

[Curran]

Previously I've never felt much need for sayagaki. My opinion on that seems to be changing a bit.

 

I have one koto sword that is in nice very well done older saya with horn reinforced mekugi area and particularly tight straight grain and good workmanship to it. It has decided it likes resting on the little c. 1754 kake I found years ago. Together, they make quite the display. I like the sword very much and begin to feel it merits a proper sayagaki. But it is already papered and I see no sense in sending back to Japan for a sayagaki.

 

Is there anyone in the USA with good Japanese calligraphy that does sayagaki? Given the long slender nature of the blade and shirasaya, I'd hope for someone with a tighter writing style like Tanobe-san's.

I'd greatly appreciate recommendations on this topic, either public or via PM.

[Henry Wilson]

I'll do it for you if you like

 

No seriously.

 

There is a lady in Australia who apparently does sayagaki / hakogaki. I think this is her site:

http://www.sumido.com.au/

 

If no one turns up in USA, you could post the saya only.

 

Good luck

[Grey Doffin]

Curran,

There is no one in the States (or anywhere outside of Japan now that I think of it) who is qualified to do sayagaki. Sure, anyone with nice calligraphy could write something on your saya but sayagaki is more than nice hand writing. It is an attribution or authentication of a signature by a recognized authority. If it were done by someone who isn't an authority I think it would cheapen the sword.

It certainly would decrease the sword's value for me. I'd much rather have plain shirasaya than one with a back alley sayagaki.

Grey

[Curran]

Grey-

 

I certainly understand and agree with you about poorly done sayagaki.

I knew two Japanese gentlemen that I felt nihonto qualified to do it. One was a friend and artist that I believe may have permanently retired back to Japan. I would have liked to ask him to do so, as he was a mentor to me for a time.

The other is very knowledgeable, but his writing is very robust artistic- I think you can imagine what I mean. For a slender koto blade in shirasaya, it would look mismatched.

 

So I figured I would ask. One could hope that Tanobe-san would take some time in retirement to come to the Tampa and San Fran sword show to do a few and pay for his trip, but I also know that is what they call a pipe-dream. Conflicts of interest and what not.

 

I don't agree that there is no-one qualified in the USA. But both "qualified and good calligraphy skills" are quite something else.

Others may have the calligraphy skills, but not the Nihonto knowledge.

 

So once again- anyone know anyone??

[Ted Tenold]

"Judging a book by it's cover" comes to mind on this subject. :lol:

 

While I will agree that the sayagaki of an authority adds merit and a measure of enjoyment to the sword it contains, I will also add that sayagaki by authorities is also subject to scrutiny like everything else, due mostly to the fact that the sayagaki likely describes an important piece. Old sayagaki from Meiji also can describe works that might actually be judged differently in today's world based on cumulative contemporary study. These days, a sayagaki (especially if old) is only one part of what a collector needs to vet the piece. The other will be papers that confirm it.

 

In the case of an unpapered sword, I would agree that odd or unofficial sayagaki might intially raise an eyebrow and cast some bias against a blade before it's even examined. However sayagaki could make reference to a sword that is officially judged with supporting documentation, and in that case it's really just a matter of finding someone with the requisite skill to brush the information appropriately. Therein, lies the problem. Outside Japan, one might find good caligraphers, but can they also brush the information in a style that will not look like a golf ball on a tennis court? It's not just the writting, nor is it a matter of good caligraphy. It's a matter of something that is stylistically compatible that illustrates the information with dignity and grace. Tanobe san's sayagaki are appreciated not only for his experience as a sword scholar, but also for the accuracy, beauty, and consistancy of his brush. Those that can read it (or have it translated) also appreciate the manner in which he presents the information with poetic tone.

 

As far as sending the saya over seperately, I'd be surprised if an authority would be willing to assign their name to the information requested without having the blade in hand. Otherwise how are they to know that the sword it belongs to is really what they are attributing it to be?

 

The subject of sayagaki is a little contentious because it is generally thought of as an official method. The reality is that there have always been qualified, unofficial, and/or spurious forms of it. Official respected authorities obviously add a great deal of merit to a piece. However from an ownership position, sayagaki really is just identification of what's inside via artistic expression. So in that regard, I also agree that sayagaki by "just anyone" will detract from the piece by installing a bad first impression.

 

Sorry Curran, I know I didn't get you any closer to an answer. I just wanted to throw my two cents in to the subject.

[cabowen]

Sayagaki have not (are not) always been done by an "authority". They were/are sometimes done by the sword's owner for identification/inventory purposes. I see nothing wrong with that, if done well.....

[Jean]

Chris is right. Sayagaki is no more than a writting on shirasaya. Can be an appraisal or just a description. The only thing is that the writter must be skillful has it is not easy to do one on a shirasaya

[Henry Wilson]

So on the strength of what Jean and Chris have just said:

 

I'll do it for you if you like :rotfl: :rotfl:

 

No seriously.

 

There is a lady in Australia who apparently does sayagaki / hakogaki. I think this is her site:

http://www.sumido.com.au/

 

If no one turns up in USA, you could post the saya only.

 

Is this not a viable option, if you write down what you want to be written on the saya?

[elliottshogun]

Chris,

I will keep an eye on this conversation as I agree with you and have a papered blade in shirasaya. I would like only the mei put on the shirasaya as the shirasaya is new.

Elliott

[John A Stuart]

Try this master in the USA, a woman caligrapher Eri Takase.

http://www.takase.com/JapaneseCalligrap ... tional.htm

John

[Curran]

John, Chris, Henry,

 

Thank you for the follow ups. Takase-san's website was interesting. I didn't figure out where she is in the USA.

 

I will put it on the mental back burner for a bit and visualize what the saya would look like resting as it does with sayagaki. Personal aesthetic is to keep it simple as it is, but a basic well done sayagaki might make it more of a visual bridge point for others who visit our home.

 

Decisions big and small. John, thank you for the lead to Takase-san.

[Bushido01]

Is there anyone in the USA with good Japanese calligraphy that does sayagaki?

 

Curran,

It seems that Moses Beccera at Nihonto Antiques in NY might be able to help you. Click on the below link and then choose sayagaki from the menu on the left side of the screen.

 

 

http://www.nihontoantiques.com/sword%20details.htm