Advice on areas of study for beginners

[LakeBum]

I just started studying Nihonto about 2 months ago and have a few books that I have read through. Problem is, there is a ton to absorb. My question is, what areas do you wish you would have focused more on at the beginning of your studies. Kind of study this before this list.

 

If this is somewhere on the forum, would you point me in the right direction please :D.

[Ken-Hawaii]

Jason, I guess the main question is "why did you start studying Nihonto?" Asking where you should start studying is far too wide a query - that's like asking, "how many different kinds of people are there?"

 

Your entry point will give us a better idea on how to advise you. For example, my wife & I got interested in Nihonto because we've been using swords in martial arts for many years, so we started looking at them as weapons. The president of our sword club got started when his father passed on an old family blade, so he was more interested in the historical aspects.

 

Please tell us more. And welcome to the forum.

 

Ken

[cabowen]

I just started studying Nihonto about 2 months ago and have a few books that I have read through. Problem is, there is a ton to absorb. My question is, what areas do you wish you would have focused more on at the beginning of your studies. Kind of study this before this list.

 

If this is somewhere on the forum, would you point me in the right direction please :D.

 

 

Your study of swords will go quicker and smoother if you start with Japanese history and the language.

[LakeBum]

Ok, well I am a science/ history teacher so I enjoy the historical aspect of swords. Really I would like to be able to tell the subtle differences between schools. IE, how Bizen or Soshu has changed over time or what makes a really great blade from that school. Like a 101 on how to get better at kantei.

 

Hopefully that at least gives you guys a direction.

 

Thanks for your time!

[LakeBum]

@ Chris

 

I definitely agree with that. It was hard to follow names in the beginning, but after having read about 3 books, certain names and schools are starting to stick. Also the history behind why the blade has changed over the years helped a lot. Time to get my books from college out again too I guess lol.

 

Thanks!

[cabowen]

It helps to place things in a framework. That framework is a historical timeline. The language requirement is obvious. Some make it for years without learning enough to read a signature but if you want to get into the subject at more than a basic level I think language study is absolutely necessary. Let us know if you need any help.

[Peter Bleed]

Jason,

You have been given lots of good advice. Book, language, history, its all wonderful.

But my addition - for what its worth - is meet other collectors! Discuss swords. Look at swords. Handle swords. See swords being sold and bought. Listen to what others have to say ( begin figuring out what to ignore). Wherever you are, this will be a challenge, but it will be much more productive (at least initially) than setting alone with a book and curiosity about the evolution of the Shoshu tradition.

Oh, and welcome aboard!

Peter

[Surfson]

Welcome Jason. To add to the advice already dispensed, I would say that the best approach for me was to read every basic book on nihonto i could find. There are very many of them, and there is some redundancy in this approach, but the redundancy tends to reinforce many of the important points, including history of Japan, the five schools, the differences between koto, shinto, shinshinto and gendaito etc. What most people do is to focus on what they enjoy, and there is nothing wrong with that. Also, your interests will probably change with time. I have met many collectors who acquired an interest in koto later in their collecting. Cheers, Bob

[LakeBum]

Thanks Peter, my first stop is the show of shows in February. It is going to mostly be Gendaito but at least it is something! Then in April I already told the wife we are going to the Chicago Nihonto event. I can easily get to St. Louis, Indianapolis, or Louisville if anyone knows anything those directions.

 

 

Robert I hear that. I just keep seeing books that I want lol. I agree with the redundancy as well. At first I just kept reading but now I am catching a few trends. My night time reading before bed has been The New Generation of Japanese Swordsmiths by Tamio Tsuchiko and Kenji Mishina. I really like learning about the sword smiths and what they have to go through to try and advance their skills. Someday I will commission a sword for my family line and hope that my (God willing) kids will keep it in the family lol. I just got in the JSSUS and my Christmas list is mostly more books.

[Toryu2020]

Jason-

sounds like youre off to a great start. Make sure you dig through the archives here, lots of useful nuggets, news on new publications and links to worthwhile websites. If you havent already check out the Japanese sword index webpages, lots of great links.

 

Youve set yourself an impressive goal, i envy you the adventure!

 

-t (for Toryu)

[LakeBum]

Thanks Thomas,

 

The ONLY reason I got a decent start is because I went through this forum looking for new guy suggestions. Before I found this forum I was just looking blindly at Ebay swords.

 

Thanks again!

[Alex A]

Wise that you where not "buying blindly"

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Jason,

Here's a thought for study and learning. Get yourself one of the Japanese books with lots of oshigata. Fujishiro's Nihon Toko Jiten would be an excellent candidate because it is a book you need to have in any case. Sit yourself down and create an English index for the 2 volumes.

It doesn't matter that an English index exists already, not to mention the complete translation by Harry Watson. If you take the time to translate the smiths' names, provinces, time of production, and relative quality ranking you will learn gobs of stuff that eventually you'll need to know. This will take months of spare time but when you're done you'll be able to read many sword signatures and you'll have some understanding of relationships between smiths and schools.

Grey

[Mark]

Jason

 

where are you located? Maybe there is a club or study group near you

[LakeBum]

Grey I am sure I would learn a ton from that but do not know if I am up for that challenge just yet. (plus the challenge to my wallet if I am thinking of the right book lol).

 

Mark, I live in Southern IL. Just right next to the Indiana border with all the corn and beans. The only thing that I know of is at Chicago in April.