Utsushi and Yugen - Ford Hallam Videos

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

Awesome.

[Ford Hallam]

Thanks Gents, it's nice to know your all getting something out of the film and enjoying it.

 

regards,

 

fh

[chuck]

Still trying to put my eyeballs back into my head.

 

stunning.

[b.hennick]

Throw your support behind Ford in a tangible way. He still has one tsuba left for purchase. Although it is not a tiger in the bamboo it is an interesting piece by a very talented tsubaco.

view topic

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=8628&start=15

[Henry Wilson]

I have just had time to see the movie and like everyone else has said, it is out standing and very interesting.

 

I have always wondered about inlay and always wished to see how it is done as well as the application of a patina and the mercury guilding technique for gold. In fact the whole show was an complete eye opener as I also recall how the base metal was made....

 

Well done Ford.

[Ed]

In a word, WOW !!

 

Due to a computer glitch, I have just been able to watch the video.

 

Ford, your skills are truly transcendent.

I am overwhelmed with every aspect of the project, from the time requirements, the patience, the skill, etc., etc..

 

Your ability to take a raw piece of metal and convey such a sense of life is astonishing.

 

You deserve the highest respect, and you certainly have mine.

 

Thank you for sharing.

[Surfson]

Ford, I just viewed the videos and found them utterly inspiring and amazing. You are truly a great artist and your patience and skill are humbling. Congratulations on mastering the highest level of the art! Bob

[Ford Hallam]

Gentlemen,

 

I'm quite overwhelmed by this flood of remarkably kind and generous comments.

 

As many of you know, especially those of you who have met me, I am very passionate about my work and the tradition out of which it has grown. That I've been allowed to record, in this way, a part of my journey and been able to provide a glimpse into this world of mine is for me a great privilege.

 

I've been extremely fortunate to have in Bob such an adventurous supporter and in Brad an incredibly sensitive collaborator.

 

I genuinely feel humbled by the reception this film has received.

 

Thank you all again, for your generous words of support.

 

regards,

 

ford

 

p.s. I'm assuming this feeling of humility will pass in a little while :?

[Jean]

glimpse into this world of mine is for me a great privilege

 

No Ford, it is our privilege

[Peter Bleed]

Ford,

I, too, have watched these videos repeatedly. They are enthalling. Thank you. A part of me would love to see more basic issues treated - how to make takane, basic patination, workspace design - but seeing the high-level artisanship of inlaying and forming a tiger's head was fabulous. I also great enjoyed your use of English names for some steps -butter of gold, indeed!. This helps to expand our understanding.

Thanks!

Peter

[Guido]

Because YouTube is blocked here in China, I had asked my daughter in Japan to download the video, and finally was able to watch it when she arrived two days ago, visiting us for Christmas. I had seen the Tsuba in the flesh last year, and it's a real eye-opener to get some insights into its making. The only thing I can complain about is that the video is too short .

[Ford Hallam]

You're very kind, Jean :D I guess we're a very privileged bunch then

 

Peter,

 

you bring up an interesting issue regarding the more basic techniques. This was something we wondered about when we we're initially thinking about how to present the process. Ultimately though it was never intended to be a instructional film but more of an overview. I'm committed to producing the seminal book on the techniques of this tradition and each chapter will be supplemented with a detailed bit of filming. Once that first volume is done I'm sure all your questions will be answered.

 

Guido,

 

Glad to hear you managed to get a copy smuggled into China, I'd forgotten YT was blocked there. I'll get on to Julian Assange and see if he can't leak it for me

 

If you want to see more we've actually got 24 hours of footage... Actually the film as it's now available is only an edited version of what we ultimately hope to produce. We want to do some interviews in Japan with various authorities, artists and my teacher to provide some more context. The final film was envisaged as presenting a view into the tradition, my own work and the character and life of the subject, me. It's what they call a character film and would be for TV broadcast.

 

thanks again all,

 

fh

[Guido]

I'm assuming this feeling of humility will pass in a little while

The final film was envisaged as presenting a view into the tradition, my own work and the character and life of the subject, me. It's what they call a character film and would be for TV broadcast.

Wow, *that* was fast!

[Ford Hallam]

:lol:

 

...this is not my doing...I'm the victim in all this. I feel like a panda bear in a David Attenborough documentary....honest

[paulb]

Ford,

As said before when Bob first showed me both the Tsuba and the DVD I am hugely impressed. Great work and fantastic end result.

One thing that did concern me in the video and I was reminded by Peter's mail was your use of mercury and gold to gild parts. If not mistaken isn't this the same technque used by French furniture makers of the 17th century? As I remember the average life expectancy for those artisans was around 35 years as they poisened themselves with mercuric oxide given off in the gilding process.

Without wishing to sound like either your grandmother or an over zealous health and safety executive I hope you are taking all necessary steps to protect your lungs!

best regards

Paul

[Ford Hallam]

Hi Paul,

 

thank you for the kind compliments and your concerns

 

As regards the fire gilding I wear a full face respirator with specialist Hg fume filters. In the film I also used a fume cupboard that drew the fumes out into a condenser so as to recycle the mercury.

 

Murcury is certainly not something to be treated lightly. I generally don't recommend the use of this particular technique except for where it's particular effects are unobtainable by any other process or, as in this case, for the sake of historical accuracy.

 

regards,

 

fh

[Chishiki]

Cudos to you Ford and to Bob Morrison. A leap of faith, helping keep the 'Art' alive. Mark

[werner]

Hi Ford,

 

...speechless - ! - One thing I can say; as the novice I am: This video and your project have certainly shifted my opinion about Tsubas and other koshirae parts....I truthfully can say that I will never look at any koshirae part in the same way as in the past as you have opened my eyes to the work/detail/craftsmenship etc.

 

Thanks heaps also thanks for giving us the insight - both work and video are nothing short of being brilliant!

 

Jock

[Ford Hallam]

Mark, Jock

 

thank you very much. It seems our collaborative effort has indeed added something to the understanding and appreciation of classical kinko work. This was what we hoped to be able to do.

 

Thanks again to everyone for all your supportive and generous comments.

 

All the very best for 2011,

 

regards,

 

Ford

[Stone]

Hi Ford,

DVD Brilliant, thank you for being so generous with your knowledge

a brilliant film. Wishing you & yours a Health & happy New Year.

Best Regards,

Tony N.

[Ford Hallam]

Thanks Tony,

 

glad you enjoyed it. All the very best to Myra and your self too for a great new year. May even see us back in the UK by next xmas

 

regards,

 

fh

[Gregc]

It's taking me a while to get my jaw off the ground. Simply stated, "BEAUTIEFUL"!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ronin Akuma]

 

I am speechless at the quality of the filming and especially at the quality of your work.

[Den]

Ford,

 

Thank you for the HD video sharing the process that you go through using your incredible talent.

[historian2]

Amazing talent, Would love to see some of you'r other work.

Erich

[edzo]

Dear Mr. Hallam,

 

I can't add anything that has not been said except "WOW"!, ED F. Great take, thank you for that.

[JGrinneiser]

 

I'll add my praises to the chorus, and hope we'll be able to see the final completion of this marvelous project, maybe in the form of a DVD.

 

Definitely an inspiration to us craftsmen and artists.

 

Cheers.

[edzo]

Hi Ford,

Don't have anything to contribute to this great post, revealing to me. Just wanted to thank you for the post, your effort and expertise. Ed F

 

Edit: I just wanted to add that I purchased the book at the recommendation of another member, I'm a newbie, and I would not part with it, great starting point and a lot of bang for the buck!

[Ford Hallam]

Sorry Edward, Gents...

 

I've been amiss in not acknowledging your kind comments. Thank you all.

 

kind regards,

 

Ford

[Dr Fox]

Mr Ford Hallam

 

This is without doubt, the most skilled demonstration of an ancient craft, executed in modern times, that I have ever seen. It ranks right up there with the best.

 

Sir: Respect.

 

Denis.