Andrew Ickeringill – Touken Togishi – 刀剣研師

I commenced the construction of my workshop (togiba) in 2014 back in my home city of Melbourne, Australia.

It’s very much in the traditional Japanese style, my aim was to create a space that felt like I was being transported back to Japan whenever I sat down to work.

The major hurdle was constructing and installing the polishing platform (togibune). It’s a multi level, multi layer and multi angle platform that allows the runoff of water, stone and steel to be easily washed away. It also helps to achieve the sitting position a togishi must work in.

A togishi’s tools should be made by the hands that intend to use them, buying something online or having someone else make them for you is pretty much pointless. During my years in Japan, my free time was often spent making tools and accumulating materials, preparing for the day when I would go independent.

My workshop.

Some of the tools required for foundation polishing.

Some of the tools required for foundation polishing.

My kamidana.