Yoshihara Daisho

[WoodbridgeGaijin]

Not even sure where to post this. Just got back from a month in Japan and a great visit with Yoshindo Yoshihara. A daisho is in the works for me, hopefully I won't have to sell my car to finish paying for it. LOL. Anyways, what a kind and interesting gentleman he was. He showed me practically every inch of his home inside and out as well as his smithy and workshop. He makes a mean iced tea as well! I have video of an exquisite double edged tanto he made that I would love to post if I can figure out how to compress it. I was lucky enough to watch his son taking pictures for their upcoming book. (Out of respect for them and their new book I wont post any pictures of the work they were doing.) Still can't comprehend the dexterity and skill it must take to carve horimono. He was showing me how he does it on a wakizashi he was making and after seeing the carving tools which he makes himself....it was amazing to see, it almost looked like he was carving lead. It looked like the metal was incredibly soft as he did it and I will never forgive myself for not snapping a pic of the finished horimono which was a Buddhist deity. I didn't realize that he also has studios in Seattle and San Francisco.

Val Giardina.

[Brian]

Thanks for sharing Val, I think we are all envious over that daisho. It is going to be an amazing pair.

Great pics, post any others if you have them and are able to show them. What a beautiful view out of that doorway! A wonderful experience to be able to do that.

 

Regards,

Brian

[Bugyotsuji]

Great atmosphere in that two-shot there. You can see he is happy to have such an appreciative guest. Thanks for the cameo! Bet you can't wait to get your hands on the Daisho...

[WoodbridgeGaijin]

Oh you are absolutely right. I can't wait but I also saw how many blades were already on the go. There must be 15 or so in various stages around the workshop so I know when he says "a year to a year and a half " that it's likely going to be a while.

Val Giardina.