Diy Oshigata?

[Jwrussell]

Who has done an Oshigata themselves? What all do you need other than the paper? This seems like an excellent learning tool to me, but I don't know where to start. I saw BlazeGlory's post asking for where to find a kit and I have to say, my google-fu must be out of practice, because everything I find is unavailable.

 

Thoughts on both doing your own Oshigata and where to find the materials needed?

 

Thanks-Jason

[Brian]

http://www.namikawa-ltd.com/product-list?keyword=oshigata&Submit=Search

[Jwrussell]

Thank you, Brian. That covers the paper I guess. Was kind of hoping for a US source, but it is what it is. Have you produced your own Oshigata? I found kits (not available of course) and they seemed to have quite a few other items associated. Any info on what else would be needed?

 

If you can point me in the direction of something that goes into the detail of "how to" that would be wonderful.

 

Jason

[Geraint]

Hi Jason.

 

Many moons ago there was an article in JSS/US about the 'how to' aspects.  I have done them using very thin paper, something like layout paper, and a variety of ordinary pencils.  The outline tracing is relatively easy, the details of mei are harder and the business of drawing the details of the hamon are where it really gets interesting.  Pencils of different hardness work for different aspects, for example a fairly soft one for drawing in the nioi guchi and a very light touch, but a rather harder one for nie.  It's very instructive and speaking personally I saw things in the hamon that I would otherwise not have noted.

 

Another nice thing is that they can be mounted and framed so that you always have a record of that sword even when it's no longer your own.

 

Be great to see how you get on.

 

All the best.

[Ed Harbulak]

In the book "Modern Japanese Swordsmiths 1868 -1945" by John Scott Slough in Part 4 is a four page article by Patrick Giacobbe entitled Making Oshigata. I think I have seen other articles on the subject and an Internet search may provide more information. Some years ago the Florida Token Kai had a class on making oshigata at the Tampa sword show. Suitable paper, magnets to hold the paper in place and the necessary Japanese "ink" were provided. The "ink" reminds me of a black "crayon" or Craola which might also work. 

[dominnimod]

One time i washed a yari nakago on some charcoal dust, and removed it with a cloudy Scotch tape i had lying around, the result was kinda nice,

as far i saw it had no effect on the tang, however i'm not sure if its something good to do, but it would help on the tang part

[Jwrussell]

Interesting concept Jose. I think I would be scared to do that, haha, but it looks like it brought out the mei pretty well. 

[b.hennick]

Years ago I was taught to place a tang over a candle and get the tang smokey. The next step was to put scotch tape over than tang and remove the carbon. It worked fairly well but was messy. Next came a roll of special medical use printer paper that you placed over the tang and rubbed to transfer an impression of the mei. Then oshigata paper became available with a Japanese circular disc that looked like a black crayon. I also have used "grease pencils" that were special crayons used in labs on glassware.  

For full oshigata of a blade I use the Japanese disc to outline the blade and shinogi line, and pencils to fill in the hamon/hada details. Magnets to hold the paper in place. I use a strong kitchen magnet that looks a little like a mushroom. The plastic upper part extends past the inset magnets. The magnets are strong enough to hold the paper in place. 

oshigata crayon ink

magnets I use

 

[Grey Doffin]

Not a good idea to do the candle soot and tape oshigata as the soot can effect the patina on the nakago.  Traditional oshigata done with thin paper and an ink stone isn't difficult; there's no reason try shortcuts.

Grey

[b.hennick]

Grey, I was trying to show a progression. I would never use either of the first two methods now.