Author Archives: Pierre Nadeau

Terres d'échanges Japan
The series of 12 programs is a voyage of discovery about 24… Continue reading
A small scale high-furnace is operated at Les Forges de Montréal. It is supplied with charcoal and iron ore. In order to improve the furnace's efficiency, the ore is prepared into pellets. This ingenious tool facilitates the making of those pellets.
Iron smelting pellet maker
A small scale high-furnace is operated at Les Forges de Montréal. It… Continue reading
The teko is the tool — a plain bar — that is used to hold the steel block to be forged. The said block is welded onto one end of the teko. This video shows Manabe Sumihira performing such a forge weld.
Teko-zuke
The teko is the tool — a plain bar — that is… Continue reading

Moving back was hectic. Now what?
Nearly ten years in Japan… If I would’ve known, I probably wouldn’t… Continue reading
In early April 2011 I had the opportunity to visit a traditional village blacksmith while in the Fikkhal area, Eastern Nepal.
In both India and Nepal craftsmen are still considered as the lowest cast and I could see this man lives simply. He was extremely peaceful and very pleasant to be around.
He produces mostly tools and farm implements for locals, but when I asked him to make something for me, he obviously suggested the Gurkha's khukri. The order is placed…
Nepalese village blacksmith
In early April 2011 I had the opportunity to visit a traditional… Continue reading

In preparation for tanren
Japanese traditional sword making is bound to the use of certain types… Continue reading

How to make a te-bōki
Useful hand-held straw brush and tool The te-bōki (手箒 lit. “hand-broom”) are… Continue reading
Aku, or charred straw, is used as a coating when forging traditional steels at very high temperatures in the processes of japanese swordsmithing. The charred straw is both a light source of carbon for the steel, as well as an anti-oxidizing coating when it liquifies near welding temperature.
Making aku – Fabrication d’aku
Aku, or charred straw, is used as a coating when forging traditional… Continue reading

Sumi-kiri san nen…
Sumi-kiri, the elaborate cutting of charcoal by apprentices is said to take… Continue reading
Sumi-kiri, the cutting of the charcoal by japanese swordsmith apprentices, as poorly performed by me. In this video, one strike out of ten is ok, while all others made me frown… size wrong.. size wrong.. swing wrong.. size wrong.. strength wrong.. size wrong.. wrong angle.. and so on.
It is said it takes three years to learn this properly. I think they’re being optimistic.
Sumi-kiri – Charcoal cutting
Sumi-kiri, the cutting of the charcoal by japanese swordsmith apprentices, as poorly… Continue reading

Kata: Making a sword pattern
A good to way to learn proper sword sugata, or silhouette, is… Continue reading
There are several ways to wrap a tool handle, usually with plain rope. I'm presenting one here, used on the teko, the bar used for tanren.
Tool handle wrap
There are several ways to wrap a tool handle, usually with plain… Continue reading

Kata – Sword Patterns: Tanto – Aizu Shintogo
Tanto – Aizu Shintogo Shintogo Kunimitsu is known as one of the… Continue reading

Kata – Sword Patterns: Kozuka – Kogatana
Kozuka – Kogatana These pocket knives were utilitarian first and foremost. They… Continue reading