Looking For Sources On Creating Oshigata

[Randy McCall]

As part of my personal study and research, I've diving deeper into the study of oshigata, including the techniques of creating them and detailing what "information" or qualities they can -- and cannot -- copy from the blade. 

So I'm looking for any suggestions for English books, papers or articles which discuss or examine the technical art / science of making oshigata.  Or books in Japanese where an English translation, summary or index is available.   I do know about Inuzuka's "Token Oshigata no Giho", though I'm unclear about just how much technical information the "sections in English" covers.

While I've been slowly increasing my library to allow deeper study for a while now, I'll freely admit seeing Paul Martin's post on the NBSK's Craftsman awards, with a section devoted to oshigata artists, triggered this request.   

Not that I have any aims (or artistic talent) in this direction, but it made me realize there are deeper levels of technical skill than I had perhaps realized. 

 

Thanks!

[Ed Harbulak]

Randy,

There's a section in John Slough's book "Modern Japanese Swordsmiths 1868-1945" with directions for making oshigata. I suspect a search of this forum for oshigata may also turn up some information. Although I haven't tried it for oshigata, it's amazing all the information you can find on the Internet, so see what Google turns up. Best of luck.

[Ken-Hawaii]

Randy, Clive Sinclair wrote an excellent article on drawing oshigata that I turned into a PDF for my own reference. Perhaps you can check with him to see if he has posted it anywhere, as I can no longer find it on-line. Brian, is it posted anywhere on NMB?

 

Ken

 

[Randy McCall]

Randy, Clive Sinclair wrote an excellent article on drawing oshigata that I turned into a PDF for my own reference. Perhaps you can check with him to see if he has posted it anywhere, as I can no longer find it on-line. Brian, is it posted anywhere on NMB?

Thanks Ken!.  Unfortunately, his article appears to have been hosted at the To-Ken UK website, which no longer makes it available.  A search under his name: "Clive Sinclare" and "oshigata" comes up dry. 

 

Ed, there are indeed some nice tips on creating oshigata on the Board, many of them suggested by Clive.  I'll see about looking up the book you suggest.

[Randy McCall]

Perhaps a question which Paul Martin or another of our more experienced members could answer, which might lead to more information on quality oshigata...

What are the judging criteria and considerations -- technical or artistic -- for the Oshigata Award in the NBSK's Craftsman Competition?  Knowing what these are would give some insight on what such a major craftsman organization sets as the standard for such pieces.

[Ken-Hawaii]

Yeah, so I noticed, Randy, but go check your Web-site e-mail for a message.

 

Ken

 

[Randy McCall]

Appreciated, Ken!