Cultural refreshments

[ROKUJURO]

Everybody sees that their own way! If it was only the metal parts.....

[Bugyotsuji]

Strangely the most useful tool in my workshop is possibly a toothpick, the very same one that I have already used for tweaking so many little jobs!

 

Two Sundays ago one of our matchlock troop showed me some photos of a zunari kabuto that he is restoring. He has rubbed it all down to a base in preparation for a lacquer coating. One of the wakidaté side tsunomoto was missing so he has created a new one for it, and that too will be covered in lacquer. I expressed amazement at his courage and ability in attempting such a challenging job!

 

Thinking about that later, and conscious of this thread, I then decided to take a box of restored powder flasks to our latest meet on Sunday April the 12th. They all crowded round as I set them the challenge of finding which parts were original and which bits were restorations. In the beginning no one found anything, and even real old parts were questioned, but gradually as they got their eyes in (with a little help from me!) they started spotting things. 
 

Some cheeky questions bubbled up like “If we get the right answer, can we keep them?” 

 

 

 

 

[John C]

Just musing here...I've often wondered what percentage of a restoration/preservation project is acceptable before it becomes just a brand new item. I have no problem fixing parts or adding some repro parts to make something presentable, however I often see projects on cars or particularly vintage airplanes where almost every part is reproduced or repaired in some way. To me, this is just a new item using parts of an original item as a template. Not sure I have answered that question for myself. Just depends on the individual project, I guess, or possibly it's historical significance.

 

John C.

 

[ROKUJURO]

John,

if I had an old car or even an airplane, I would rather replace any damaged or doubtful part before using it. But with genuine antiques, I am on your side with keeping it as authentic as possible.