Utsushi and Yugen - Ford Hallam Videos

[Ford Hallam]

Utsushi - the search for Katsuhira's tiger

 

Some of you have already seen this short documentary film but I've just uploaded a High Definition version with Japanese subtitles onto YouTube.

 

You'll find details about the film maker and links to alternative text translations of the audio in the description below the film screen.

 

You'll find part one

.

and part 2

.

 

You'll see the default quality setting on the play bar is usually 360p (on the right just below the screen). The film can be viewed in higher quality (up to 1080 High Definition ) by selecting a higher resolution setting. At the higher settings you can watch it in an expanded view to fill the screen.

 

Please feel free to download the files for your own use. You'll need to use RealPlayer software to do this. It's available for free here.

 

 

If you're interested you can read more about the project the film follows and how it came about here, on my blogsite.

 

I hope you enjoy it.

 

best regards,

 

Ford Hallam

[Jean]

[loui]

Speechless.

[watsonmil]

Dear Ford,

Very informative, beautifully executed, ... and simply a privilage to watch. I'm presently working on duplicating a Serpentine for a Matchlock, .... and although technically not nearly so demanding difficult enough for an amateur like myself. The one major difficulty is for people ( customers ) to realize the time and labour involved, .... and it is therefore difficult to make any profit by taking on these commissions. It is in my case at least the satisfaction I derive by repairing these old Tanegashima and seeing the delight when the others excepting the owner cannot find the replacement part. Would I aspire to the heighths you have taken your craft/profession. Thank you for this wonderful glimpse of your Life and Art.

... Ron Watson

PS> My wife was as enthralled as I.

[drdata]

Ford, thanks for posting. Truly inspirational.

 

Best regards

[Stephen]

close to tears at your craftsman ship.

Make that Mastercraftsman.

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Ford,

Thank you.

May I ask; what happened to the original dai? How did they get separated?

Grey

[Martin]

Hi Ford,

 

I have just seen this very skilled and tastefully made film together with my wife and we were simply speechless.

One can really see the passion you put into your work and it simply is a joy watching the birth of this masterpiece.

Thanks so much for sharing this.

 

Best,

[Curgan]

I had the burden to wait for a year or so for this, being intrigued by mr Hallam. I had beed expecting the joy of seeing this with anticipation.

But I was wrong...

 

It was even better!!!

 

[Amon]

Thank you so much Ford for sharing this!

One word, Amazing

 

Kind regards,

[tony edmunds]

Genius is an oft abused superlative but in this case I think it inadequate.

 

 

Kindest Regards

Tony

[ububob]

Brilliantly conceived and flawlessly executed. The film spoke to me on intellectual and spiritual levels.

Thank you.

[Lee Bray]

A great film. I've watched it a few times on DVD now and still gobsmacked every time I watch it.

[Wickstrom]

I must say Mr. Hallam, the magnitude of craft you put into this piece is astounding! Especially cutting all the stripes of the tiger individually, wow.

[Ford Hallam]

Thank you everyone for the fantastic response.

 

I'm a bit rushed right now so will reply in more detail to your very kind comments as soon as possible.

 

Ironically, as soon as the 2 separate files were uploaded my account was upgraded to allow me to load much larger files. This means we can provide the film as one single file. To do this we need to delete the first 2 though. The swap is underway and should be completed within the next 4 hours. Apologies for the inconvenience.

 

I'll post an announcement and the new link as soon as it's ready.

 

thanks again,

 

regards,

 

fh

[IanB]

Ford, I think I have already fallen at your feet, but in my opinion you cannot be lauded sufficiently (is lauding the same as being rubbed over with goose grease or is that larding?).

 

Grey, Whilst I have not really been involved, I do know a little of the background. The daisho pair was originally illustrated in the catalogue for the exhibition in Los Angeles in the late 1960's. Somewhere along the line from then until now, the dai became separated. The catalogue lists the contributors but not what the contributed. I put out a couple of feelers on Bob's behalf and learned that there were some original contributors still extant but couldn't learn who had loaned the tigers. So for the moment, the whereabouts of the dai is a mystery nbut no doubt it still exists.

Ian Bottomley

[Ford Hallam]

Youtube is driving me crazy!!!

 

We uploaded the film in 2 parts to meet Youtube's requirements on file size. No sooner is it all live and we're informed that my account has been upgraded to allow for the full file to be loaded as a single file.

 

This can only be done after the original separate files are deleted....which we dutifully do. Now the account has reverted to it's previous capability and we're told the new, single film is too long!ok...deep breath and I must go to Cape Town to collect the new files and start the upload from the start again. Normal service will hopefully be resumed sometime this evening. Central African time.

[Lorenzo]

Take it easy Ford

[Ford Hallam]

Apologies to all for the false start....talk about going off half cocked

 

Anyway, thanks to te wonders of South African internet technology ( sarcasm enters the room )

The film is now back on-line.

 

We've had to revert to the original 2 part format.

 

You'll find part one

.

and part 2

.

 

 

Thanks very much to everyone for your very kind compliments. It really is great to hear that all the "exposing" of what I do is appreciated. It helps to reassure me I'm not too much like one of those annoying kids who are constantly shouting "look at me!"

[Eric H]

Hi Ford,

Your "oeuvre d'art" is in any aspect outstanding and perceptively adapted to the Katsuhira Tsuba... and bravo to the film adaptation

Eric

[raaay]

Hi Ford

 

Oustanding work

 

love the video clips. more please.

 

 

Best Regards

ray

[gudis]

WOW, amazing... That is true art in its best form....

[Brian]

Bunch of collectors here got together at my house today to eat, drink, be merry and watch the DVD.

I'm guessing the stunned silence said a lot about your work Ford.

The one thing that went through my head was : "Wow! You are insane Ford!"

I don't know how someone develops the talent, patience and stamina to tackle something like that, but I am not exaggerating when I say that the DVD is astonishing and amazing. It is brilliantly presented and expertly rendered. I thought I had an idea what I would be watching, but the end result was so far superior to anything I had imagined that I cannot express it well enough. This changes a lot of what I had imagined about the making of tsuba..and explains even more. I think this DVD is destined for TV and greater things, as is your career.

Hard to really express my amazement. Those that watch it will understand it. Those that haven't seen it yet..make a plan.

 

Brian

[Gabriel L]

Ford, this was fantastic, thanks for sharing. I am using this to illustrate the kind of labor and attention to detail these fields demand (as well as the delight and beauty the items themselves hold for us), for friends of mine who are unacquainted with Japanese metalwork. I am also impressed at the production quality of the video; the cinematography and editing were excellent.

 

Great work!

[Ford Hallam]

Thanks everyone for the very generous compliments and comments of appreciation. I'm really pleased we've been able to add something of value to the understanding of how this art form is/was created.

 

I would like to add that this whole project, the commission for the tsuba and the filming ( 24 hours of footage) was only made possible (and at great expense) thanks to the support and vision of Bob Morrison.

 

Brad Schaffer, the film maker, was also something of a lucky break for me. We rapidly developed a very good rapport and working relationship that allowed me to completely trust his judgement on how we presented the project and most importantly, allowed me to feel relatively relaxed in front of the camera. I'll be sure to pass on your compliments on the filming.

 

Going on the reception this film has received we may have a few more in the pipeline. You'll be first to know.

 

Ian B. You're very kind with your praise....even if it might result in me looking like I'm about to swim the Channel

 

thanks again everyone.

 

regards,

 

Ford

[bjmoose]

Ford,

 

Just wanted to add my congradulations (and adulations) on the masterful work done on this project (both the tsuba and film). Having done a few videos in my past (shooting, directing, editing), I must say the production qualities on this are first rate.

 

I'm always fascinated by the creative process involved in works of art - and love to see the transitions from raw materials to the finished piece. I have a copy of Yoshindo Yoshihara's "The Secret World of the Japanese Swordsmith", and now I can add your film as another cornerstone to Nihonto creation.

 

Thanks so much for sharing this with us.

 

- ian

[Curran]

This is too impossibly good of a film. Mind boggling project. Having only seen an image of the original, I had not realized the striped were inlaid.

 

Brian, okay to cross link it in the Tosogu section? (Done - Admin)

I almost missed it in this section.

[Ford Hallam]

Ian, Curran

 

Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed it and that it provided a little glimpse into the world of kinko tsuba.

 

regards,

 

fh

[Gilles]

Dear Ford,

 

A really impressive work which makes me speechless. I can use the french term "oeuvre d'art".

[Pete Klein]

I learned so very much today. Thank you!