Warning: slightly long post (feel free to skip to the pics below)
So, I have been living in Japan for some twenty odd years and
have been wet shaving with a SR for the past two years. My
attraction to SR shaving was sitting in a Japanese barber's chair
and getting a wonderful hot towel shave. I loved the feeling after
one of those shaves.
I have read all of Jim Rion's blog "Eastern Smooth" (twice) and admit to some
envy as Jim had a wonderful mentor to guide him in shaving and honing
razors, especially kamisori. Over the years, I had seen kamisori, mostly
Tosuke models with their blue handles, in barber shops and even in flea
markets. In any case, my preference was Jwest's because they seemed
easier to shave with and hone. In addition, I decided that if I bought a
kamisori, it would be an Iwasaki Tamahagane, which usually are prohibitively
expensive (at least for my budget).
I have befriended several Japanese barbers including two third-generation
barbers but these gentlemen had not used a SR, let alone a kamisori, since
they were apprentice barbers thirty years prior and they had sold their father's
razors and stones long ago. I asked if they could put some feelers out for an Iwasaki
Tamahagane kamisori at a reasonable price. I wanted an older one, a Shigeyoshi
or even a Kōsuke.
One barber from Kyoto who I have known for almost twenty years, took me
out to his mentor and cousin's barber shop/salon. It was a pleasant hour's
drive around Lake Biwa. When we arrived, the master showed me a display
case with about thirty Iwasaki kamisori. We danced around the topic of price
and I left with the impression that I could not afford what I desired. About six
months later, I contacted that barber but again he would not commit to a price.
A few weeks ago, my Kyoto barber contacted me. He had a contact in northern
Japan who might have what I was looking for. I sent this barber an email.
His response and the pictures he sent had my mouth watering. After some back and forth,
and a bank transfer, I bought the razor. It arrived yesterday. It is an Iwasaki Kōsuke.
If you know Iwasaki razors, you know that these were the originally tamahagane kamisori
from the Iwasaki foundry. The stamps and the numbers on my razor seem to confirm this.
The razor arrived with a new purple and white rubber grip in a pink plastic box. This seemed like
putting a Rembrandt in a neon frame but probably just reflects modern Japanese tastes. I
am considering a trip the Sanjo Seisakusho foundry to have Mizuochi-san take a
look at it. Eventually, I will get a paulownia box and have the handle re-wrapped in rattan.
Mission accomplished!
Here are my pics plus one from the seller showing the unwrapped handle with numbers:
So, I have been living in Japan for some twenty odd years and
have been wet shaving with a SR for the past two years. My
attraction to SR shaving was sitting in a Japanese barber's chair
and getting a wonderful hot towel shave. I loved the feeling after
one of those shaves.
I have read all of Jim Rion's blog "Eastern Smooth" (twice) and admit to some
envy as Jim had a wonderful mentor to guide him in shaving and honing
razors, especially kamisori. Over the years, I had seen kamisori, mostly
Tosuke models with their blue handles, in barber shops and even in flea
markets. In any case, my preference was Jwest's because they seemed
easier to shave with and hone. In addition, I decided that if I bought a
kamisori, it would be an Iwasaki Tamahagane, which usually are prohibitively
expensive (at least for my budget).
I have befriended several Japanese barbers including two third-generation
barbers but these gentlemen had not used a SR, let alone a kamisori, since
they were apprentice barbers thirty years prior and they had sold their father's
razors and stones long ago. I asked if they could put some feelers out for an Iwasaki
Tamahagane kamisori at a reasonable price. I wanted an older one, a Shigeyoshi
or even a Kōsuke.
One barber from Kyoto who I have known for almost twenty years, took me
out to his mentor and cousin's barber shop/salon. It was a pleasant hour's
drive around Lake Biwa. When we arrived, the master showed me a display
case with about thirty Iwasaki kamisori. We danced around the topic of price
and I left with the impression that I could not afford what I desired. About six
months later, I contacted that barber but again he would not commit to a price.
A few weeks ago, my Kyoto barber contacted me. He had a contact in northern
Japan who might have what I was looking for. I sent this barber an email.
His response and the pictures he sent had my mouth watering. After some back and forth,
and a bank transfer, I bought the razor. It arrived yesterday. It is an Iwasaki Kōsuke.
If you know Iwasaki razors, you know that these were the originally tamahagane kamisori
from the Iwasaki foundry. The stamps and the numbers on my razor seem to confirm this.
The razor arrived with a new purple and white rubber grip in a pink plastic box. This seemed like
putting a Rembrandt in a neon frame but probably just reflects modern Japanese tastes. I
am considering a trip the Sanjo Seisakusho foundry to have Mizuochi-san take a
look at it. Eventually, I will get a paulownia box and have the handle re-wrapped in rattan.
Mission accomplished!
Here are my pics plus one from the seller showing the unwrapped handle with numbers:
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