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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2009 16:10:13 GMT
I've noticed the far from historically authentic swords used in most visual fiction from pretty early, for example the "Arab" swords so popular, and in the last few years, after getting some actual knowledge of Japanese swords, I've also noticed how rather unrealistic most cartoon or anime swords look. It's gotten to the point where I got annoyed watching "Batman Begins", especting more than straight "ninja swords" from a serious blockbuster. I can sympathize with people, especially those with more formal backgrounds, who wish for more realistic imterpretations, even in mainstream fiction, though I think the purists who shake their heads at L6 or Springsteel katana go a little too far.
I did however get a little surprised after seeing a few rawblade/custom sword makers, atleast James Raw I think, refusing to make katana from anime and/or popular fiction. I get that people with some degree of respect for tradition may be inclined not to colour a blade black or make some Final Fantasy-esque blade, but, correct me if I'm wrong, isn't most "fantasy" katana, looking away from frequently ridiculous tsuba and/or tsuka, relatively traditional? Just got a little curious after hearing of people in the sword community refusing to give service if they don't approve of the purpose and the like. This is nothing I'll ever do, but still, I think stray thoughts are what forums are for.
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2009 16:23:58 GMT
Well, I think that if I made something, a work with my own name on I took pride in, I rather did something I liked than something i did´nt like myself. So I don´t see that as surprising. I mean, how fun is it to have something that the person who made it dislikes? So the word "refuses" is perhaps not so suitable in these cicumstances. It´s just natural; you do what you like and are good at. Otherwise you don´t do it.
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2009 21:40:27 GMT
There are some good reasons why a smith might not want to deal with the aftermath of making movie swords.
- A movie sword is going to get copied by many forges. - The smith is going to be asked to make copies of their movie sword for a long time afterwards. - The movie writers/producers/artists are going to ask for some design specifics that the smith might not be comfortable with.
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Post by shadowhowler on May 30, 2009 19:22:20 GMT
Also... when your dealing with custom sword smiths... they do the work not just for the money... but for love. If they are in a situation where they are NOT so hard up for cash that they can afford to turn away customers... and not make blades they don't feel comfortable with or like... more power to them, I say.
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Marc Ridgeway
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Post by Marc Ridgeway on May 30, 2009 19:36:25 GMT
Even a smith like James Raw, who could use every comission he can get, will still refuse to make historically inaccurate katana....
Many choose not to disrespect themselves or the craft by making anime' objects... There is always United or Kit Rae for that kind of stuff...
Of course you have guys like Lundemo who are incredibly talented making Heron Mark blade inspired swords... And they are spectacular...
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2009 20:11:29 GMT
I should imagine that ion the custom sword market, reputation is important. If you are sword maker that makes high quality historically accurate words I could understand a reluctance to tarnish your reputation, by making fantasy swords.
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2009 20:17:56 GMT
What I'm going at is that, in general, "anime swords" just tend to be badly illustrated katana with some vague Shinogi Zukuri-ish style, not some weird Kit Rae designs.
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2009 20:24:28 GMT
If a sword in an anime or movie has a traditional blade geometry, then ask for that geometry. If you say "I want the sword from (insert fiction here)" without doing the research and learning the information yourself, IMHO you are insulting the smith.
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2009 20:49:18 GMT
I think that the main 2 reason could be ( other than the smith not liking to do such a thing ):
1. Many fantasy / anime designs aren't really functional so it'd be just a piece of steel. 2. Let's not forget about copyrights. Granted, I'm not knowledgeable here, but wouldn't this be a problem?
Also, what alant said. Especially the "being asked to do it again" part.
Generally, if the blade's design is pretty much traditional then ask for a bare blade? I don't think that many smiths do the koshirae anyway?
On the matter of getting irritated watching movies, etc. Once I've learned more about swords in general I sometimes seriously drop a movie / book, cause I can no longer stand that it's completely unrealistic. Before, I wouldn't notice this.
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2009 1:03:43 GMT
On the matter of getting irritated watching movies, etc. Once I've learned more about swords in general I sometimes seriously drop a movie / book, cause I can no longer stand that it's completely unrealistic. Before, I wouldn't notice this. I agree completely! When I re-watched Highlander I nearly cried when he sharpened his sword Also pretty much whenever I hear a "shlink" for a drawing/sheathing of a sword in any movie
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2009 3:45:57 GMT
I think that smiths refusing to take on a commission is a good thing.
When your going to have an artisan do some work for you, then you want them to feel passionate about it or at least have it fall within the guidelines of a project they would be comfortable with.
Who wants someone building them a sword, if the guy building it hates what he's doing? The work would suffer tremendously.
I would much prefer a straight up "No"... Than any halfhearted attempts.
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