Making a Funahiro (舟弘) Kanna Blade - Japanese Blacksmith - Master of Traditional Crafts

In this video, we are in Yoita, Niigata, Japan spending the day with Mr. Funatsu, the Japanese Master of Traditional Crafts, making a Kanna (鉋) blade. This was an amazing experience where we got a chance to get a behind the scenes look at this master blacksmith at work. His Kanna (鉋) and Nomi (鑿) blades are highly sought after for their quality and ease of usability.
We had a lot of fun hanging out in his workshop as he processed a blade from beginning to nearly end. He explained to us step by step the process of making a blade, however, it would take decades to master his skill. He made the process look easy. There are steps that happened that only he knows feels right. His attention to detail and his theoretical in combination with his practical knowledge is something that everyone should aspire to even outside of blacksmithing.
We learned a lot from Mr. Funatsu and we could only continue to try to master the skills need to be a great carpenter.
We hope you enjoy this video.
#carpentrylife #japanesewoodworking #carpentrytools

[@mikeennis851]

Fascinating! I'm 70 years old and have loved woodworking since I was young. I love wood, I love my hand tools, and this video gives me more appriciation of the work that goes into the tools I use. Now when I look at the price of a hand plane, I understand why they cost what they do and I know they are worth it. Thank you for posting these videos. I could never have experienced this in my lifetime without your sharing it.

[@rutabegared1]

I reccntly discovered your channel and have been watching all of your videos I enjoy them all. Thank you for producing these videos and sharing these valuable skills with the masses. I especially enjoyed this video. What a fascinating process. The generosity of Mr. Funatsu is appreciated. He was incredibly informative.

[@thecarpentrylife]

Glad you like them!

[@adamallen8863]

Another great video, I loved watching a master do his craft. Cheers

[@ToddAndelin]

another gem. your videos have a good pace to them, they seem so honest... what a master of craft is Mr. Funatsu ...

[@rawframeshandcrafted]

Wow! Great video, to experience and watch the master at work must of been a true honour... Thank you for sharing

[@abettermousetrap]

Very interesting stuff. He doesn't seem to be working very hard at all. The sign of a true master.

[@troystaten5633]

Very neat, it is a privilege and a treat to see things like this made.

[@HingLaw]

Thanks very much for this very fascinating video. The forging process is mind-boggling yet eye-opening at the same time.

[@twcmaker]

At 17:03 he says about the blade. It must be easy to Sharpen but hard enough to stay sharp. I bought my Japanese chisels in the mid 1980s. They are exactly that, easy to sharpen and stay sharp for a very long time.

[@JamesSmith-su3oz]

This video explans alot of missing back ground of japanese plane blades. Thank you for making and posting.

[@bradymcphail9690]

Thank you so very much for sharing your experiences with us. I’ve committed before how much I learn from your videos. I don’t think I will ever get the chance to go to Japan and see this. It’s amazing that he works in such a small space with few tool and us western craftsman have to have all the best tools and equipment and lots of workspace. The better we think we are the more stuff and space we must have… or maybe that is/was my thinking 🤔? You are fantastic for sharing, thank you 🙏

[@thecarpentrylife]

You are so welcome!

[@NealeOBrien]

What an interesting and wonderful video! I love woodworking, and I wish that I had become a carpenter, so the skill of this man working is a really lovely sight! Thank you for this.

[@JayCWhiteCloud]

Another wonderful video...Mr. Leopardi...I do so enjoy your presentation and the effort you have made to bridge the languages in your video documentation. This wonderful Blacksmith (I have used a few of his plane blades!) speaks to the Craftsmanship found in the traditional arts of Japan...I do note one characteristic common to them (if I may be so bold) is there ever insisting idea that you have to spend decades learning the craft to do it well...I am apprenticed in several crafts, so learned traditionally myself...However, I also went on to learn how to be an...effective teacher...and something I have learned over the decades (especially about many in Asia...particularly Japan) is that they are as horrible at teaching…LOL…as they are incredible Artisans within their individual crafts… The entire concept, which is not entirely unique to the Japanese of...技術を盗...speaks to this very idea that things take longer to learn than they actually do...Some (very few) older Artisans have moved past this arkan understanding, and adopted a deeper acuity towards learning...partly through modern technological exchange...and partly through the absolute necessity to save their craft by teaching those willing to learn, but without the "suffering" that so many believe must take place..."Learning" in general is difficult...experiential learning…!!!... of the guild arts even more so this is true...adding suffering of extended duration and hardship is pointless and counter-productive...I am so pleased to see you opening yourself up to so many of the different arts...Thank you for that...!!!...Blessings, j

[@raytheron]

Fascinating to watch! I do enjoy watching master craftsmen at work and can do so for hours. Thank you for yet another great video!

[@rhaataja]

Thanks for the great opportunity to watch a master work. I'm actually taking a Kanna workshop this weekend so this was a great way to get me excited for it!

[@CreativeCarpentry]

That’s really interesting seeing all the steps that go into making something which might appear to some as just a bit of metal! Thanks for the videos keep them coming

[@musicfind4020]

Your best episode so far. Love your channel

[@Vincent-S]

The one single vintage kanna iron I have is one of my most precious things. Takes a great edge and taught me some things while both prepping it and making it’s wood body, or dai. Like how I wish laminated plane irons were still commonly made and that I wish western plane irons also had the hollow that kanna blades and japanese chisels have so I can dodge any bulges in the back and just tap out a new edge like you can with the kanna blades. It’s a shame that Mr. Funatsu would stop making tools once his supply of British made iron is depleted. I hope he teaches the craft to newer blacksmiths to carry on the tradition.

[@thecarpentrylife]

Thank you for watching. The skill of Mr. Funatsu is beyond comprehension.

[@superemile999]

What a craftsmanship, wonderful and impressing!!

[@andyawesomeayer]

This video was so cool, It is amazing to watch a master at work. I dream of one day being able to use and appreciate such an amazing piece of art! Thanks for making this video

[@paulstanding7267]

You don’t realise how long it takes to make a blade no wonder Japanese tools are very much appreciated for the fine quality take care. 😀👍

[@bernardofernandez6138]

Awesome video, thanks for doing this for us so that we can learn Funahiro san wisdom and skills, I'm proud to say I just ordered one of his kannas from japan, the kanna I ordered is name Genshin with blue steel, probably way over my skills to even own such tool but nonetheless very honored to own one. keep up the good good with your videos.

[@ark1200]

Great Video, thanks a lot! I'm still waiting for an Oire Nomi from him, so excited to work with one of his tools!

[@Arnost_Kolomaznicek]

Awesome 😮😍

[@lengas675]

Great craftsmanship!

[@johndonahue4777]

I bet there's a lot of 19th century British steel in the old railways of India. As they modernize there it should become available as scrap I would think. I hope that this amazing person can get some of it for his plane blades.

[@daw162]

Not steel, wrought iron.

[@johndonahue4777]

​@@daw162 ok. I didn't know what to call it. But wanted to put the idea out there because it seemed prossible.

[@andrasv7905]

That video is so cool.Thank you!

[@nitinvarsani8458]

Thank you another great video 👍🏽👍🏽

[@AndreiKucharavy]

19:01: That's not only annealing, it's also carbon doping - the shell becomes carbonized and hard (high carbon steel), which makes it cut well and last for a long time, while keeping a soft core to avoid breaking.

[@daw162]

Great video!

[@thecarpentrylife]

Thanks!

[@tsutomu5991]

The string on the cell phone was hilarious. I wonder how many phones he lost before using this technique.

[@hiroakiminowa7431]

鑿使っているけど、研ぎやすいし切れる！研究の成果！人気あるねぇー！

[@anthonymorales842]

I truly enjoy your journey.

[@estudiohayabusa]

Very nice video ! So much lovely memories come to my mind. I enjoyed a lot my days with my friend Funatsu-san making the Tensui blade and a chisel in his forge for the documentary of Tokyo Tv you can watch at my channel. Kind regards. Julio

[@thecarpentrylife]

We were looking for the footage actually! Thank you for sharing, Julio. Your video almost made us cry. What a great trip you had. We will share this with Mr. and Mrs. Funatsu.

[@estudiohayabusa]

@@thecarpentrylife どうもありがとうございます‼️

[@cristalclear5625]

Thank you, very informative and interesting!

[@matthiasnicolai8306]

In this video you can see exactly what "value" and "dedication" really mean.

[@spiroketal7024]

The apprentice chucked it in???!? :-O I'm in my 50s - I wish I could have had that opportunity to learn.

[@nickmolloy9563]

Great vid. Does anyone know why he was dipping his hammer into water prior to striking the kanna on the anvil?

[@thecarpentrylife]

There is small explosion that occurs when water is superheated at contact. This explosion helps to clean the surface of the metal.

[@zidnyknight3611]

Thanks

[@mauroplatania236]

Very complimenti!!

[@micssticksnpipes]

Amazing 👌

[@JP-ik3hr]

In your other videos where you have gone to stores... these tools seem really cheap considering the work that goes into them. For reference, do you have a rough idea of what that blade would sell for, and the amount of time that went into it?

[@thecarpentrylife]

The cost really depends on the craftsman and their reputation in the industry for making high quality blades. I will say there is also additional costs for metals that are harder to work with and shape. I can not tell you what a blade sells for because it depends on size, material, and craftsman who made it. Also, pricing has fluctuated recently with the weakening of the yen. Inflation is increasing here causing prices to jump. From what I can understand a blade for a kanna can take up to a half days work. However, most blacksmiths work in batches so it is hard to say how much time was invested into each blade. I do know they inspect each blade and may reject half of them or less if they are not satisfied with the quality. This rejection happens typically for the more difficult blades to forge and is also dependent on the blacksmiths skill to control temperature, time, etc.

[@Timothylaing]

Three blades a day. Wow. These guys don’t get paid enough for their work

[@rockybalboa6867]

I am really enjoying your videos! ... i wonder how much does such a traditionell handcrafted blade costs?

[@thecarpentrylife]

A Funahiro Kanna could cost anywhere from $600 to $2000. It all depends on the size and type. A set of Nomi (chisels) can be found anywhere from $2000 to $3500. This set would include 10 Oire Nomi. Ordering carpentry tools may take some time also.

[@rockybalboa6867]

@@thecarpentrylife Amazing! So the traditional blacksmith is earning a good livelihood, right ;) ... i really appreciate these traditional handtools.

[@neffk]

Interesting to see that he doesn't know how some things actually work but has managed to make good product anyway. For example, borax is one of many possible fluxes that simply melt and cover the metal so that it doesn't oxidize while heating to welding temperature. Also, when you heat steel too high, it does not turn into carbon----the carbon burns out of it. The iron he wants is wrought iron, which is not just a soft grade of steel. Etc. I wonder if he's just giving easy answers for the pedestrians or if he actually doesn't know the real answer.

[@thecarpentrylife]

I am sure he doesn't explain all the steps accurately as we were only there in the morning. He has been documented by researchers on his techniques. He has a range of different blade types and conditions. I am sure depending on what he is working on that day his styling and working might change.

[@daw162]

It's probably a simplified answer he gives people so he doesn't have to explain oxidation.

[@dekonfrost7]

Tough old rooster, after 50,000 perfect pieces they dont feel like explaining it. But your general innocent curiosity i’m sure is what won him over.

[@elluisito000]

One question, why do Japanese blacksmiths work in those holes in the ground? Is there any advantage? Like giving more ridigity to the machines locating them near to the ground?

[@thecarpentrylife]

Good question. We’ll ask Mr.Funatsu.

[@TokyoSilver]

instead of using big, heavy,expensive.working tables. little Toyota.

[@butterflywoodworks2374]

I have a set of his chisels I purchased about 18 years ago. It came with a letter, can yo have it translated?

[@thecarpentrylife]

Sorry, I can not help to translate, but perhaps if the letter is typed it can be auto translated using Google Translate and a camera phone. If it is handwritten it may still be possible to use Google Translate.

[@gary24752]

Curious as to why you don't fold the steel on the blades.

[@thecarpentrylife]

I am not certain of all the techniques, but I did note that when you adhere the cutting edge to the base metal it is only attached using a binder. There are other forging process that happen after this, but this would be a trade secret.

[@florincochintu8691]

I think he is using wrought iron...

[@jishaku38]

よっぽど人に携帯盗まれたんだな。