My custom designed and made Kogarasu Maru

AnthonyWoo · (#1)

I love this blade shape since I saw the Little Crow form Bugei years ago.
Recently I talked a lot with Antonio and I took a closer look at his website ( http://www.arscives.com/bladesign/ )
I noticed some interesting designs and I asked him to redo a Kogarasu Maru for me.
Antonio said yes and I commissioned him the new design.
He knew the Bugei little crow.
http://www.bugei.com/littlecrow.html

Ladies and gentlemen, I am happy to present the first rendering form, a personal interpretation of the Kogarasu Maru Zukuri by Antonio Cejunior:

http://www.arscives.com/bladesign/anthony.km.htm

Of course it is not the final stage. Minor changes will be made. Especially the Kashira and the Kojiri need some rework, as Antonio feels that there is too much empty space and needs more balance. He pestered me in having the ito in tsunami because it would give a closer look to velvet which would be much richer than silk ito. I gave in and hope for the best.

Antonio and I discussed this project many evenings. It was difficult for me to make all these decisions like what type of gem for the menuki, what type of fittings, can I import python skin etc.
Up to this moment I was used just telling a smith the rough specs like length and sori.

Well we decided to have three sapphires. Two for the menuki and one for the saya.
The saya is in blued and lacquered synthetic python skin. (too much trouble with CITES, EU Wildlife Trade Regulation, Species listed in Annexes and so on, which made for the sacrifice decision)
The rendition above shows the sword with a blade length of 25 inches but I changed my mind and the nagasa will be 28 inches. Eric Litton was kind enough to comply with it.
Antonio put so much subtle ideas into the blade shape that I could not mention them all. He played with shapes of bo hi, different types of polish to highlight certain areas, he also added a hole in the blade, just to name a few.
Hope Antonio will explain some features himself. I will alert him to this post as I know his son just returned from vacations.

I was never so much involved into a birth of a sword and although Antonio did the entire design, I have the feeling that this one will be the most personal sword for me.

JohnD · (#2)

Check this out Anthony...

Antonio Cejunior · (#3)

Good Morning Anthony

Got your emails just a while ago. Thank you for your kind words.

Well, it was great working with you also and thank you for giving in to the blue tsunami

I would not repeat exactly a sword from the Heian Period. After all the the transitional shapes on the blade gave me the ideas of playing around. I guess if you wanted an exact replica you could just purchased this one

And yes, I hear you. Don't worry, I never had the need to show off or compete

After all I know exactly where I belong, and remember that I have nothing to prove to no one.
Everyone that seeks me is treated with kindness and respect, so its not a problem with me.

Well, at the moment I'm enjoying my son's company. He is now probably even taller than you or of your same height, at 1.93 m

.

Enjoy the weekend

Joseph Renner · (#4)

Originally posted by JohnD
Check this out Anthony...

I usually dont like the style but that ones very nice. Who smithed it? I assume you polished it. Both did a VERY good job.

JohnD · (#5)

Rick Barrett made and polished the balde. He just sent me the pic.
I'm just posting it for Anthony to look at.

Originally posted by Joseph Renner

I usually dont like the style but that ones very nice. Who smithed it? I assume you polished it. Both did a VERY good job.

AnthonyWoo · (#6)

I am very sorry John but I already persuade a smith making me this one.

JohnD · (#7)

Just so there's no confusion, this blade was never for sale. It's one of Rick's personal blade. I'm just sharing the pic with you.

Originally posted by AnthonyWoo
I am very sorry John but I already persuade a smith making me this one.

AnthonyWoo · (#8)

Originally posted by JohnD
Just so there's no confusion, this blade was never for sale. It's one of Rick's personal blade. I'm just sharing the pic with you.

I see, John.

By the way a very nice blade. Do not feeled attacked and please post the picture again.

AnthonyWoo · (#9)

This is a picture form Antonio in a very early stage.
To be honest I like the Tsuka as it is but as I already mentioned he "persuaded" me to have blue Tsunami wrap and he has instucted Eric Litton to add them in his rendering.
.....but I was succesfull to keep the sapphires as Menukis although I had to give up the idea to have a ruby on one side and a sapphire on the other, due to Antonio´s influence.

The blade is very unique, I think.
The Bo-hi in the tip section turns into a ricasso. The Habaki is out of silver and the hole near the habaki makes the blade interesting but I have fogot to ask Antonio about the meaning.

W. Prue · (#10)

Congratulations, Anthony. That is an incredible looking piece. My hat goes off to Antonio and Eric for another amazing compilation. I look forward to seeing the final outcome. Can I ask who will forge the blade?

Regards,

Win

AnthonyWoo · (#11)

Originally posted by W. Prue
Congratulations, Anthony. That is an incredible looking piece. My hat goes off to Antonio and Eric for another amazing compilation. I look forward to seeing the final outcome. Can I ask who will forge the blade?

Regards,

Win

Yes, I am very curious too.

Well who is making this one ?
It was my intention to keep it secret and to have a discussion later. Something like who was the smith and why.
Call it a kantei, if you like but then this discussion will start in a year or so. I give up the idea. This would be cruel

Joe Walters is the smith.

W. Prue · (#12)

I had a feeling Joe was going to be the smith. He really is talented. I have a katana on order myself, which Antonio designed as well. I look forward to seeing them both. I'm confident that Joe won't disappoint either of us. His work is incredible. Thanks again for sharing.

Win

AnthonyWoo · (#13)

Hi Win, of course I know about this:

Studied Antonio´s site long enough.

I am waiting for the final renderings form Eric.

AnthonyWoo · (#14)

It is done. I have got the final renditions.
Great work from Eric Litton.
Joe Walters told me in a mail that the sketches and reditions help him a lot to make a blade.
WYSIWYG is also very helpful for me. (Still do not know how my San Mai will look like because I am unimaginative)

and some comments from Antonio.
http://www.arscives.com/bladesign/anthonywookm.htm

AnthonyWoo · (#15)

One more:

AnthonyWoo · (#16)

A last one:

Larry Twohig · (#17)

Did these blades every come to fruition?? If so, I'd love to see the finished products!!

AnthonyWoo · (#18)

Hi Larry,
it is nearly done.
There are minor changes. Joe recommended me Ted Tenold´s doe skin instead of tsunami.
I would love to see the finished sword too, believe me.

Marina Ngo · (#19)

Personally, I like the tsumani because it is great on the hands. I haven't handled any of Teds doe skin before, but I am sure that you cant go wrong there. Great looking blue prints. I hope to see that blade soon.

Marina

Dennis Pishock · (#20)

Sword looks great Anthony.....Question for you, what made you go with the tachi compared to the katana? Just wanted a sword more for one-handed use? I just found it unique that you did but also commend you on going the diff't route most of us do nowadays with katana's only....That sentence was a bit of a runoff..ugghhh....Your sword looks great and like you, look forward to the final project..

Dennis P