Restoring Sayagaki

[BIG]

Hi all, Kanzan sensei's 51 year old sayagaki lost some kanji ink. Barry's article gives advice, but are there any other possible solutions; thought about a Japanese calligrapher in Germany/Europe. Opinions...

 

http://naippe.fm.usp.br/arquivos/hobby/Restoring%20Armour%20and%20Swords%20–%20Contrasting%20Points%20of%20View%20Part%20C_CAPA.pdf

 

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[Grey Doffin]

Hi Peter,

Show us a picture please.  Grey

[BIG]

Hi Grey,

[TETSUGENDO]

Thoughtful article.  If a swords saya needs restoration, for structural reasons, that will impact negatively upon a pertinent inscription, and or patina....I would opt for a new saya and preserve the sayagaki as is.   For me, the cost of a new saya is a small price to pay in order to preserve a swords history.

 

-S-

[BIG]

Hi Steven, yes. Markus translate it and had problems to read some kanji's. So a new saya would not save Kanzan sensei thoughts for the next years. Do not want to ship the long way..

 

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[Ray Singer]

If I understand your comment correctly about utilizing a Japanese calligrapher in Europe, my thoughts are that a retouched sayagaki will always be found questionable. Both its authenticity may be doubted later and it would no longer fully be the work of Kanzan. I would preserve the sayagaki as is. As Steve mentions above, a new shirasaya is a good choice. It seems that we occasionally see important swords with new shirasaya, alongside older ones having valuable sayagaki, and containing a tsunagi. If you are concerned about the Kanzan / Naotane sayagaki degrading further, that would be my same recommendation.

[BIG]

Thanks Ray. Think you and Steven gives best advice. Do not want to suffer loosing the sayagaki. And yes, it's the Naotane katana.

 

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[TETSUGENDO]

Good decision Peter, but I suspect you would have come to the same thought on your own, with a fine sword we are obligated to execute our stewardship in a responsible manner.  One additional thought, anyone fortunate enough to have a fine sayagaki/hakogaki should document it with good quality photos.

 

-S-

[Ed Harbulak]

In addition to a standard photograph, perhaps a photo taken with infrared film might bring out the kanji in the sayagaki more clearly. There are still film cameras around these days and infrared film is I believe also still available. 

[BIG]

Thanks Ed, I check it out.

 

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[Stefan]

Im Zweifel, einfach eine neue Shriasaya machen lassen und die alte als Dokument bewahren. Aber niemals, unter  keinem Umstand  an der Kalligraphie  herumfummeln. Auch nicht von einem  Profi.Warum ? Es gibt z.:B  zu viele  gefälschte Sayagaki. Also lieber alt und echt , als den den Nimbus der Fälschung durch  Auffrischung. 

Gruß

Stefan

[BIG]

Hallo Stefan, werde nicht fummeln..

 

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