It is difficult to explain my fascination with these unique art objects, which
truly are works of functional sculpture. I have been collecting and studying the
Japanese Art Sword for over thirty years. Acquiring my first Samurai Sword in
October, 1975 (see photo of my first katana). Since 1986 I have been concentrating my research on Tsukamaki. In 1987, with the guidance of Dr.W.Y.Takahashi, Sensei, I began a three year intensive study/apprenticeship of the restoration and preservation techniques of John Grimmitt and Takahiro Ichinose, concentrating my research on Tsukamaki and Japanese Lacquerware. Since 1988, I have been performing restoration work on tsuka for various institutions, private collectors, and dealers. In particular, from the fall of '91 until the spring of '96, I performed all of the tsuka restoration work for the Fred Lohman Company.
Currently, I still enjoy both the privilege of doing self-directed, and expertly supervised, tsukamaki restoration and appraisals, as well as the autonomy to research distinctive Japanese art objects of my particular interest.
Diagrams for Traditional Tsuka Maki Stand Diagrams for Modern / Commercial Tsuka Maki Stand How to Thread Ito under the Folds for the Tsuka Knots
