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Japanese Metalwork Book Project

Ford Hallam

By Ford Hallam
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Ford Hallam Grand Master

Ford Hallam

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Greetings all

 

After what seems like a lifetime of saying I'm going to do it I've finally committed myself. Que the quips about men with straitjackets :lol:

 

I've just launched a Crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to help me begin the production of a series of 7 volumes that will contain everything I know about Classical Japanese Decorative Metalwork.

 

The completed series will present for the first time in any language, even Japanese, a comprehensive introduction to Japanese decorative metalwork techniques, materials and processes. This will be the seminal work on the subject and one that I hope will be of use to craftspeople, collectors, academics and curators.

 

If you'd like to see this seminal work become a reality please use the link below to learn more about the project and maybe add your support.

 

Thank you

 

Ford Hallam

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Brian

Brian

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Well done Ford and congratulations! The culmination of a career. This will be of huge benefit to all Nihonto enthusiasts.

I look forward to seeing the results, and will be of course supporting the cause. I urge members to contribute to this project.

Pity they don't take Paypal, so much easier than CC. But will work around that. Stickied.

 

Brian

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Ford Hallam Grand Master

Ford Hallam

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Thanks Brian, and thanks for the sticky too :)

 

Just wanted to add the following explanation for those who may be unfamiliar with how Kickstater campaigns work.

 

Kickstarter campaign are what are known as Crowd funding. It's a way of raising capital to enable someone to complete a creative project.

Basically, my supporters and backers are buying into the creating of these books by paying in advance for the finished product. You'll see that it's possible to pledge more than the cost of the book alone, and for which various other rewards are then offered.

 

If you care to support a campaign like this you register with your name, address and credit card details .

 

Only if the target figure is reached will your card be charged and after a small handling fee from Kickstarter is deducted I am able to access the funds and get started. If my campaign is successful I will begin work on it in June. Backers will receive regular updates and glimpses of the progress.

If we exceed the target figure any additional funds will go directly to the production of the second volume.

 

A few people have asked if they might contribute by means of cheque or paypal. I'm gratified by all offers of support and will happily accept any and all offers once the Kickstarter campaign is successfully completed. But backing that doesn't go through Kickstarter doesn't count towards us achieving our goal. And, as explained previously, if we don't hit the target we fail to launch

 

I've set a delivery date of December of this year but expect to get the first volume out a little earlier.

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b.hennick Grand Master

b.hennick

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Hi Ford:

I am happy to contribute to this worthwhile project. I look forward to seeing the High Def. Film and reading the book. I appreciate the contributions that you make to this messageboard and I love the work you do. I now have three tsuba that you made. I hope that there will be more in my future.

I encourage al messageboard members to contribute to this worthwhile "kickstarter" project. In my own sword club we are lucky to have a Ford Hallam student whose work has improved sooo much after his work/learning visit to Ford. Many of you have appreciated Kevin Adam's work for sale here on messageboard.

Ford now travels yearly to the USA to offer courses in Japanese metal work. There have been rave reviews of these workshops. Help support this activity as we will all benefit from Ford's study and ability to teach what he has learned.

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Jean

Jean

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I contributed this morning, you deserve it Ford and perhaps one day, thanks to you, I shall begin to understand kodogu. BTW, last Saturday, I saw a Tensho Koshirae made by Zenon using your F/K, seppa, tsuba and menuki; fantastic.

 

In the same meeting, Gilles showed us a papered Arikoto and Zenon brought us a fantastic/amazing Tokuju Horikawa Kunitomo, very rare.

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John A Stuart

John A Stuart

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Very good idea Ford. What kind of funds per person is a good contribution? I know the more the better, but, what do you consider a realistic contribution? I wonder Ford, if you might explain a little when you've the chance, of what will be the plan in 7 volumes. Will each volume deal with one particular aspect of tousogu? ie., Patination, inlaying, alloys? Is it to be a reference on methodology alone or delve into identification of school, technique or artist? An all around treatment of the subject? As if that wasn't enough. Are you going to share your secrets? Those master tricks you've had to pay dues to learn? John

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Ford Hallam Grand Master

Ford Hallam

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Thanks for the generous words of support gents :)

 

John, the content of the full series will be this;

An Introduction to Classical Japanese Metalwork Technique

 

Volume 1 - The Fundamentals of correct and skilful hand tool use.

 

Volume 2 - Basic tool making and chisel use.

 

Volume 3 - Inlay work

 

Volume 4 - Nunome Zogan – Japanese Style Damascening.

 

Volume 5 - Uchidashi – Japanese style chasing and Repoussé.

 

Volume 6 - Carving, texturing and specialised tool making and use.

 

Volume 7 - Metals and Alloys - Their finishing, preparation and colouring.

 

I will actually share most of the personal stuff I've developed also. I'm continually developing new approaches and ideas so I'm not concerned about keeping secrets....to anyone who would like to have a go I say, catch me if you can ;) I don't mean that in an arrogant way but as a very real encouragement. I want to see this craft and art flourish again.

 

The basic campaign is predicated on 1500 backers each pledging £30 or $50. At the moment the average pledge is around $150, that may shift as the campaign progresses.

 

Jean, I'll be doing my best. And as of thursday I'll be able to get to Paris quicker and cheaper than to London. So I may need to visit to get some 'fortification' from you. I hear you have a fine cellar ;-)

 

I appreciate the support, Brian. I know how painful spending Rands abroad is :shock:

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Brian

Brian

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Mine will come through in a few days. And will drop the SA members here a link to it. Count on another 5 or so there.

Lots of time left though, and it is human nature to leave things until the last minute :)

 

Brian

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Kam Contributor

Kam

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Hey Ford...This sounds like a great project and being the proverbial poor craftsman I am I will still be happy to donate. I really enjoy your work and have even caught a few of your YouTube vids which in themselves are full of info. Looking forward to them.... Thanks for deciding to go ahead with it.

 

Kam

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christianmalterre Mentor

christianmalterre

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somebody please could translate me this all "thing" here in German language please?

I do sorrowly do have NOT the time(nor the interest in browsing me through various posts)-so to follow here....

just an short mail by you or your´s friends... (in German language preferably!)

Explan,say-point.

 

after these titles i´d certainly ben interested in 3 of these volumes least...

(is there an "pre-sighting" of pages,written,charges,ect available?..i´d like to see datas,so i equally have poss. to can judge for mineself..?)(of course!)

 

Christian

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Brian

Brian

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Soooo.....any updates Ford?
I know it is a Herculean task, and is going to be worth far more than the initial project promised, but would be nice to have an ETA on the first volume. Been 2 years since estimated delivery date, and I'm sure we are all keen on seeing what the outcome is.
Have seen the updates at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/525883510/Japanese-metalwork-technique-by-ford-hallam but some here may have missed them.
 

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Peter Bleed Veteran

Peter Bleed

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Ford,

I think I at least tried to toss a bit in the Kickstarter kitt when this conversation opened, but I am so ham-handed in the whole computer thing that I am not sure I actually got on the list.  I hope my name is there because  I certainly want this book,

Peter

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