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Kazuyuki Ohtsu (b.1935)

As you can see, the inside surface of the lute body is  clean, and I can now glue reinforcing strips along the seams.

I have cut the strips from medium weight rag/cotton paper: that is the traditional method. I don’t see any particular merit in changing something that has lasted the distance.

Many contemporary makers prefer to use modern material – but I recall the comment of a famous luthier, now departed:

“The way a lute is made affects the quality of the sound”.

Fascinating thought!

I have used these miniature steel Scrapers to clean up the inside of the lute body.

They are not sharpened like chisels. I run a burnishing iron two or three times along the cutting edge, at a slight angle – and this is sufficient to create an effective scraping ‘hook’.

The edge has to be renewed from time to time. It produces a beautiful polished finish.

Two additions to my growing fleet of would-be boats.

Few have left their safe moorings. Perhaps it is time to give them permission to depart….

Katsuyuki Nishijima (b. 1945)

Made from recycled Oregon.

It never ceases to amaze me how a sharp hand-plane can swiftly transform ‘old’ wood.

Tatsuo Kawashima  (b.1939)

The endliner, made of Queensland Kauri,  is now installed along the inside edge of the lute body – where the construction is at its weakest.

Later on I will glue an endclasp to the outside edge, for additional strength.

I am pleased to report that the little wooden clamps did their job perfectly well. It seems they are not merely charming to look at, but more or less functional….

 

Here are two fine recut prints from the Hiroshige Mt Fuji series in vertical format.

There wasn’t much online interest, presumably because they show ‘foxing’ (brown spots) here and there. I secured them for scarcely a song.

The blemishes don’t bother me at all. These are old prints – maybe from the 1950’s, if not before. And  besides, I can choose to adopt the Wabi Sabi philosophy – celebration of imperfections….at least when it seems appropriate (or convenient).

Lute 2 is taking shape.

I have fastened the poplar block from the inside of the mould. Now comes the tricky task of carving facets to house the ends of the lute ribs.

Tricky, but I have done it once before; I should be able to do it again….