Performing yaki-ire.

  In this photo I am performing yaki-ire to a wakizashi under the instruction of Master Smith Yoshindo Yoshihara.
  Yaki-ire is a critical moment in the making of a sword. It is done in complete darkness and requires skill and concentration on the part of the smith. While working the fuigo (bellows) with my left hand to control the temperature of the fire, I run the blade through the coals judging the temperature by the color of the glowing steel. As soon as the determination of proper temperature is made, the blade will be swiftly pulled from the fire and plunged into water, cooling the edge rapidly and creating the hamon or hardened edge.
  This photo taken at the Northern California shop.

 Forging

Here I am working as sakite (hammerman or striker) with Yoshindo Yoshihara in 2009 in Northern California.  The large hammer must be yielded with both power and control.  Each stroke of the hammer dictated by the master smith who conducts or choreographs every move of the sakite, communicating with signals. In a split second between strokes, the sakite must read and decipher the intentions of the smith and act accordingly.

      Preparing for a days work.

   Japanese Tamahagane

 Inspecting the blade after yaki-modoshi.

  Yaki-modoshi is the process of tempering back the steel and relieving stress after yaki-ire (quench).

Finished billet.

  Here is a finished billet ready to be drawn out into sunobe (sword blank).

Hizukuri

  Here you can see the sunobe being transformed into what will become a hirazukuri wakizashi.