Introduction to Classical Japanese Metal Work.
Focus on "soft" metals
Instruction by Patrick Hastings
Dates are set March 25-29th
A five day introductory class on Classical Japanese metal carving, engraving and inlay.
The first thing we will cover is tool making. Being able to create and customize your tools on the fly is very important. I will demonstrate how to make the blanks from bar stock Then we will use blanks that are prepared in advance so that we can concentrate on the more critical aspects of the tools. Learning and installing the cutting geometries, Heat-treating/hardening the tools, and finally sharpening.
I will demonstrate the making of Matsuyani (pitch mixture for holding the work) and supply a recipe so that you can make your own. The demonstration batch of Matsuyani will go straight into the pitch blocks to hold our pratice plates.
The pitch blocks you will be useing I make myself and are designed specifically for the class. They are solid steel with a shallow relief in the top to contain the pitch. They are heavy and stable with no sharp edges. I intentionally made them so they do not tilt like a bowl does. The tilting makes it more difficult to learn the use of Tagane.
Using your new tagane you will be introduced to KataKiribori, a wonderfully elegant type of Japanese hand engraving that will drive you crazy in more ways that one... This lets you get the feel for the hammer and chisel. You won't be mastering KataKiribori in class, but it will teach you the basic hammer and chisel skills you will need for everything that is to follow.
For inlay the focus will be on Taka Zogan (raised inlay). The basics of Japanese metal carving will be explored through this technique as we carve the inlay in place.
We will also be going over
Hira Zogan ( flush inlay)
Ten Zogan (wire dot inlay)
Hira Sen Zogan( Flush wire inlay)
The work will be executed on copper practice plates with selections of Silver, Shakudo, and Shibiuichi for inlays. There will be an ongoing discussion throughout the course on coloration/patina
Minimum of 4 students to run.
Class tuition $765 per person.
Included in the class tuition are the raw materials and comsumables required to complete the lessons. You will go home with A set of Tagane (specialize chisels and punches. A double ended Hisage (specialized scraper). A Kanazuchi (chaseing hammer) And your class projects.
The work stations provided for each student will be stocked with all of the items needed to execute the techniques. These items and any extra supplies will be available for purchase at the end of the class. Things you should bring...
It is recommended you bring, casual clothes that you don't mind getting a little dirty and to dress in layers. Feel free to bring Vision aids such as an Optivisor if you need or want one. Please bring your own jeweler's saw, but if you don't have one there will be some you can borrow. If you own a Heat gun you don't mind bringing that would also be helpful.
Standard safety items like safety glasses, ear plugs, and dust masks are available, but if you prefer to bring your own favorites then do so.
Classes start at 9am, there is a break for lunch and while classes are only slated to 6pm they tend to run on informally for a couple more hours and I am happy to stick around socialize and answer questions.
Our Host Ric did some impromptu documenting of a previous class by taking pictures and video. Check it out! He posted it on Youtube for the students to enjoy. It starts with some still shots and moves on to Video clips of the students working. Thank you Ric!
