Thread: Something to consider

I never knew a good way to express this, but I happened to stumble across a youtube video of a toshigi (a Japanese sword polisher) who shared an anecdote which made a good job of explaining it. He said he wanted to preserve as much swords as possible, both the good and the bad, for the ages. And he said that one customer made a lasting impression.

The guy showed up with an old sword that had some mild rust, and the polisher said that with some minor work (minor meaning a day or 10 of manual polishing) it would be right again, but that if it would be left like that for much longer, eventually the damage would be permanent. The guy said that it was his own sword and he was not going to sell it anyway so he didn't want to bother.

The polisher said that that was true. It was his sword and he could do with it as he pleased. However, even though he might have the ownership of the blade, does not mean the blade belonged to just him. It's everyone's. It belonged to every person who had had it, and every person who would after him. In a way, the current owner was just the current custodian. And if you cannot be responsible enough to treat the blade to the best of your abilities, you have no right to own it.

Interesting eh? And quite different from the modern 'I bought it so it's none of your business anymore, even if I want to neglect or damage it!'

My oldest razors are 200 years old and still in near perfect condition after I restored them carefuly. When I had them, they became my responsibility. And I expect that whoever they end up with eventually, will look after them as I would have, myself. And I expect that if the razors need maintenance, they will get it. Even though it is unfashionable to be of this mindset, the toshigi expressed perfectly how I feel about blades. And make no mistake, like me, he wants old blades to be used. Because otherwise there is no point. But with ownership comes caretaking.

Anyway, something I thought worth considering.

Thanks for a really beautiful post. I would appreciate it if you would post the address for the Youtube video you found.
Namaste

Sounds like the togishi did his job in spite of the customer .

This is the list of videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5lmhZiup3o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55BlqOj-hqo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRv8mWDmviM

I have a lot of respect for people like him. Imo, sword polishing is the highest art, requiring the most dedication. Even on a sword in good condition with only minor work needed, it's 10 days of manual polishing. Morning to evening rubbing the thing back and forth continuously, checking the lines and rubbing some more, knowing that a single wrong stroke on a coarse stone can destroy the sword. And let's be honest: the ergonomics of the job suck royally. A job like that has to be a calling or you won't last.

A very nice post! I think that the concept of custodianship applies to any craftsman made item.

I consider myself to be merely the custodian of my Naval officer's sword which dates back to King George V's time. I will pass it on at some time to a young Naval cadet who can pass out of BRNC Dartmouth with it as I did.

Likewise, my Masonic jewels are all old and actually belong to the Lodges that entrusted me with their keeping.

I'm sure we could all think of many items which fall into this category.

Excellent post! Thank you!

David

Beautiful Bruno.
i have learnt of that concept from Japanese Martial Arts training with swords many years ago. Some of the fortunate students had very old swords to use. When cared for and used correctly, they far outperformed modern factory made swords that us poorer students used. It is a timely reminder.
Thanks for sharing.
Best Regards,
Adam

now i feel sad for all the razors people first practise honing on

Originally Posted by bombay

now i feel sad for all the razors people first practise honing on

I am still using the first ones I honed but I know what you are saying. Anything older than I am deserves more respect than I do. I lost 1 not to long ago but it was 1 I was trying to save. Was it cracked more than I thought? Could I have done better? Still not sure but it is 1 razor I will never forget.

well if the first one dies whilst one is learning to hone, it will be to save the lives of many many more!

Originally Posted by 10Pups

I am still using the first ones I honed but I know what you are saying. Anything older than I am deserves more respect than I do. I lost 1 not to long ago but it was 1 I was trying to save. Was it cracked more than I thought? Could I have done better? Still not sure but it is 1 razor I will never forget.