Making a classic kinko tsuba - free HD film download

[ford hallam]

Utsushi - the search for Katsuhira's tiger

 

A documentary film that follows the recreation of a lost masterpiece tsuba by Hagia Katsuhira

 

Some of you have already seen this short documentary film but I've just uploaded a High Definition version with Japanese subtitles onto YouTube.

 

You'll find details about the film maker and links to alternative text translations of the audio in the description below the film screen.

 

You'll find

and

 

Edited 16 Dec 2010. These links are now working again.

 

You'll see the default quality setting on the play bar is usually 360p (on the right just below the screen). The film can be viewed in higher quality (up to 1080 High Definition ) by selecting a higher resolution setting. At the higher settings you can watch it in an expanded view to fill the screen.

 

Please feel free to download the files for your own use. You'll need to use RealPlayer software to do this. It's available for free here.

 

 

If you're interested you can read more about the project the film follows and how it came about here, on my blogsite.

 

I hope you enjoy it.

 

best regards,

 

Ford Hallam

Edited December 16, 2010 by ford hallam

[Stuart Samuel]

Thanks very much, Ford.

 

As someone who trained as a goldsmith, and dabbled in Japanese metalworking techniques, there's a real wealth of information here.

 

If it's alright with you, I'd like to pass this along to some of the teachers where I trained, George Brown college in Toronto, Canada. They did, and likely still do, cover Japanese metalworking within a decorative technique course (If only briefly), and this video would be great for someone who wanted to focus on this in their final year.

[igrec]

Thanks a lot. I am a great fan of your work, the iron brush is full of priceless informations, and those past weeks, I spent a lot of time on your picasa gallery. This video is the cherry on top...

[dan pfanenstiel]

Thank you, sir. That was truly inspiring.

 

Dan

[MichaelBrauer]

That's bloody outrageous mate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Let me congratulate you on a fantastic piece of work!

 

Cheers

[Greg Thomas Obach]

Hi Ford

 

i was seriously on the edge of my seat the whole time.. very well filmed

 

the casting in water was very interesting... aswell as seeing the technique with the scraper/hisage

 

 

i have to say again how well it was filmed ! even i could follow it

 

the techniques, and your ideas behind it make this a brilliant work

 

Big thank you for posting

Greg

[Sam Salvati]

Ford, a wonderful, stunning walkthrough, thank you so much.

[Art Lawrence]

Exquisite

[Niko Hynninen]

Hi Ford.

 

Thank you.

 

I have had chance to see this documentary some time ago and have to say, skill,tech,drive that you have

is most amaising and realy in this pair for smaller all details are skillfully attach to this unique tsuba.

Regreation, form pic´s and info form smaller tsuba had to be hard and time consuming work..but all that lead to this

and I think it simply is amaising craftsmanship, thank you Ford.

 

BR

Niko

[Dan O'Connor]

Oh MY God!!!!!!!

 

Sooooo much packed into a compact shape!!!

 

It is hard to say what I would say stands out for me the most in this piece. So many perfect cuts it is mind boggling.

 

If I had to zero in on one thing it is the very subtle effect the Shakado stripes give to it.

 

Cutting out each one and inlaying them all is in itself an exercise in sheer stamina.

 

But the effect is stunning.

 

There are seminal pieces or events that alter your perceptions. Maybe a little, maybe a lot.

 

Seeing this has changed my perception of attention to detail-A lot.

 

Thank you for showing me this master work.

 

Dan

[ford hallam]

Thank you everyone for the fantastic response.

 

I'm a bit rushed right now so will reply in more detail to your very kind comments as soon as possible.

 

Ironically, as soon as the 2 separate files were uploaded my account was upgraded to allow me to load much larger files. This means we can provide the film as one single file. To do this we need to delete the first 2 though. The swap is underway and should be completed within the next 4 hours. Apologies for the inconvenience.

 

I'll post an announcement and the new link as soon as it's ready.

 

thanks again,

 

regards,

 

fh

[Dick Sexstone]

Ford,

Nice to see you here... Too cool... thanks.... so much great info.. and such great work

 

I deleated the double post...

 

Dick

[Richard Furrer]

Seems to be gone now Ford...did you remove it?

 

Ric

[Wayne V]

Hi Ford!

 

I still have your book. I am going to be in Capetown over Christmas and new year. Will you be at home? I would like to return it. I am eagerly awaiting that video clip now. I only saw the post after you removed the other two.

 

Please PM me with your number so that we can make arrangements to meet should you be in town. (My phone that had the number on it, went for a swim)

 

Regards

Wayne

[ford hallam]

sorry gents...

 

Youtube is driving me crazy!!!

 

We uploaded the film in 2 parts to meet Youtube's requirements on file size. No sooner is it all live and we're informed that my account has been upgraded to allow for the full file to be loaded as a single file.

 

This can only be done after the original separate files are deleted....which we dutifully do. Now the account has reverted to it's previous capability and we're told the new, single film is too long!ok...deep breath and I must go to cape Town to collect the new files and start the upload form the start again. Normal service will hopefully be resumed sometime this evening. Central African time.

[Stewart Light]

Computers, eh!

 

Looking forward to seeing them when they're back online.

[Kevin Colwell]

Ford,

I watched the videos, and doing so gave me a relaxed and meditative feeling that I get when truly engrossed in watching a metal artist or bladesmith. thank you very much for sharing the results of what must have been many years of training and practice. I meant to reply yesteday, but was so engrossed, I did not do anything but watch the vids a couple of times before going to work.

 

Outstanding. Your ability to focus and attend to detail is a gift, and you have refined it well over the years - sort of polishing your own mirror, I guess.

 

thanks again. Please share more, even if it is not documented so carefully.

 

Kevin

[Sadid Askarian]

Ford, have you ever tried Vimeo? It also has a high definition function.

[ford hallam]

Thanks very much everyone for the very kind compliments. It's really much appreciated and always nice to know what I'm trying demonstrate is adding a little to the overall understanding of classical Japanese metalwork.

 

My apologies for the false start and delays in getting it all back online too.

 

I've had to revert to the previous 2 part format which you'll find here.

 

 

 

Please feel free to post links whereever you think they may be interest, ever bit of exposure helps

 

Thanks again for the great reception. I may be able to offer 2 more similar films that document further projects next year. regards,

 

Ford

[ford hallam]

Ford, have you ever tried Vimeo? It also has a high definition function.

 

Hi Sasid

 

yes, I have used it and actually prefer the feel of their site but the film-maker (Brad Schaffer) and I felt we'd get better exposure on YT. He's obviously promoting his work too

 

regards,

 

ford

[Stewart Light]

Ford, thankyou.

 

A beautiful film of beautiful work.

 

I've looked on your forum a few times to look at the work. It's nice to see it 'in motion'

 

May I ask what camera was used? The quality is excellent. I like having a HD laptop!

[ford hallam]

Ford, thankyou.

 

A beautiful film of beautiful work.

 

I've looked on your forum a few times to look at the work. It's nice to see it 'in motion'

 

May I ask what camera was used? The quality is excellent. I like having a HD laptop!

 

 

Hi Stew

 

thanks, glad you enjoyed it. The bulk of the general footage was done with a regular television broadcast quality camera ( I think it was a Sony and tape based) but the close up work was done with a Canon 5D Mk II. It was the only way we could get something approximating my eye view.

[jake cleland]

well, that was depressingly beautiful. wonderful work, each cut executed with a confidence and grace i can hardly imagine.

[Petr Florianek]

I have stinky day in work, and your movie just made my day! thanks

[JDWare]

What a joy!