Loco Al Posted May 16, 2014 Report Posted May 16, 2014 This is an announcement for the benefit of any new members who may be seeking a new copy of The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords by Kokan Nagayama. This book is extremely hard to find for a reasonable price. I understand that it is out of print. There are some selling used books for ridiculous and predatory prices (when you do a search on the internet). I bought a brand new copy from Arawaza in Canada in February. I had first inquired of Satcho.com at that time, and was informed that they had only one copy left as it was now out of print. I suspect it is now gone. I looked on the Arawaza website today, and it would appear that it is still available. It doesn't say how many copies are left (it might only be one, for all I know). Their price is $105 Canadian. http://www.arawaza.com/the_connoisseurs ... words.html I am not affiliated with this business. I just want to give someone else a chance to get a new copy of this book at a reasonable price, before they are all gone. BTW, their customer service was excellent. Diane responded courteously to my anxious emails. Please, if you already have a copy of this book, permit someone else who is desperate to acquire a copy have first crack at it. Alan Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted May 17, 2014 Report Posted May 17, 2014 Thanks for an interesting post, Alan. I wasn't aware the book was out of print until I went to Amazon & noticed the prices. I wonder why Kodansha isn't still publishing it? Ken Quote
Stoney Posted May 17, 2014 Report Posted May 17, 2014 That is why I asked for a copy in NMB Wanted to Buy. There are no new copies available in Australia at all. Luckily I purchased a copy from a fellow Australian collector. :D Quote
ancientnoob Posted May 18, 2014 Report Posted May 18, 2014 Hey today I just bought a hardcover copy for $52.44, $60.01 shipped. I would suggest checking out http://www.booksamillion.com Quote
Brian Posted May 18, 2014 Report Posted May 18, 2014 There are a few ok deals: http://www.bookfinder.com/search/?ac=sl ... 2520swords Brian Quote
bobtail44 Posted May 18, 2014 Report Posted May 18, 2014 Hey today I just bought a hardcover copy for $52.44, $60.01 shipped. I would suggest checking out http://www.booksamillion.com Could you please buy me two copies and ship them to me in Australia? None of the websites will ship here. Ill pay for the cost and the shipping plus add $50 for your time I can pay you with paypal. T Spencer Quote
Edfest Posted May 18, 2014 Report Posted May 18, 2014 I tried to order Connoisseurs in March/April this year from Books-a-million, amazon and from BookByte.com. All sites said they had it (and one of them even charged my credit card), but then sent emails that the title is on back order, and the wait time was weeks to months. I waited a month... Then cancelled the orders. Grey didnt have any copies at hand at that time (he did a few days ago) but he could put me on a waiting list. Michael at satcho.com had two copies on the shelf and I got it in a week! It's out there somewhere, but don't necessarily expect it from the big web sites, even if they say they have it. -Ed Quote
Adrian Posted May 18, 2014 Report Posted May 18, 2014 Amazing situation, I got mine about 18 months ago at a very low price (something like 40-45$, can't remember exactly but was in this range). There were like 20 listing on ebay.co.uk at the time, now there's none. And the amazon prices are just ridiculous. I can understand this on a book that's been out of print for decades and is in very high demand, but for something that just went out of print... Anyway, it's a very useful book for beginners and hopefully the publishing company will print it again soon. Quote
Jean Posted May 18, 2014 Report Posted May 18, 2014 Anyway, it's a very useful book for beginners... Not only for beginners, it has been in France the far most advanced Nihonto book available thanks to "La maison du Japon", and it will remain for years. Quote
ancientnoob Posted May 18, 2014 Report Posted May 18, 2014 I tried to order Connoisseurs in March/April this year from Books-a-million, amazon and from BookByte.com. All sites said they had it (and one of them even charged my credit card), but then sent emails that the title is on back order, and the wait time was weeks to months. I waited a month... Then cancelled the orders. Grey didnt have any copies at hand at that time (he did a few days ago) but he could put me on a waiting list. Michael at satcho.com had two copies on the shelf and I got it in a week! It's out there somewhere, but don't necessarily expect it from the big web sites, even if they say they have it. -Ed How true this is. I just got the email saying that Bookamillion has the book on back order and the wait is 2-4 weeks and shipment is not garenteed. From what I read...not to be expected either. Needless to say I put my bid on the ebay one. Please don't bid against me. Quote
SwordGuyJoe Posted May 19, 2014 Report Posted May 19, 2014 What a shame this book is out of print. If I'd limit it and say top 2 or three books a collector MUST own, this makes the list every time. Quote
bobtail44 Posted May 19, 2014 Report Posted May 19, 2014 FYI for everyone seeking it. Might be worth waiting a little while because apparently its being re printed. Jo Cox (Blackwell's) 19 May 09:33 Ticket #113532/ 001950545 Dear Trent Spencer, Further to your email regarding your order 001950545- for 'The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords' Please accept my apologies for the delay in replying to your email - I have now heard back from the UK distributor of this title and Kodansha - the US publisher have advised them that this book is currently out of print, but reprinting later this year - unfortunately they can't give a date when this book will be available again. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused - I can confirm that your order and your Paypal transaction have been cancelled as requested. If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact us. With best wishes Jo Cox T Spencer Quote
Shugyosha Posted May 19, 2014 Report Posted May 19, 2014 Or it can be found on Googlebooks: http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=zPys ... ds&f=false Quote
Antti Posted May 19, 2014 Report Posted May 19, 2014 Or it can be found on Googlebooks: http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=zPys ... ds&f=false "Pages 75-359 are not shown in the preview" I also acquired this book about a year ago. However, my interest is in tsuba, so if, for some reason the book is not reprinted, I might be willing to sell my copy to someone needy, but perhaps I'll re-read it first. Quote
Uechi Posted May 19, 2014 Report Posted May 19, 2014 Anyway, it's a very useful book for beginners... Not only for beginners, it has been in France the far most advanced Nihonto book available thanks to "La maison du Japon", and it will remain for years. I think this book is a little too intensive for most beginners. Obviously if you have the money and can find a copy ok. There are alot less complicated easier to understand books for those just taking up the hobby. JDromm Quote
Adrian Posted May 19, 2014 Report Posted May 19, 2014 I guess it depends on what you call a "beginner". I agree that it would be too intensive for someone who is making first contact with this hobby and wants just to get the basic notions. IMO beginner is someone who is already past this stage. Quote
Jean Posted May 19, 2014 Report Posted May 19, 2014 Agreed with Adrian. When you have read 5/6 times John Yumoto book, you dream of something else . Quote
ancientnoob Posted May 19, 2014 Report Posted May 19, 2014 Jean, I am on my third go of the book. A wonderful book to say the least. I highly recommend to all. Quote
Jean Posted May 19, 2014 Report Posted May 19, 2014 Nathan, With the Robinson's book, these two books were my only nihonto ones for 15 years.... Quote
ancientnoob Posted May 19, 2014 Report Posted May 19, 2014 Jean, That one too came with the sword! Good to hear that these are favored titles. Maybe the sword is not great but the books are Quote
Jean Posted May 20, 2014 Report Posted May 20, 2014 Nathan, Be aware that there is a section in B.W. Robinson's book on how restoring, mending, ameliorating tsuba, you must absolutelly forget this chapter Quote
Clement Posted June 2, 2014 Report Posted June 2, 2014 Namikawa have the Connoisseur's available too : http://www.namikawa-ltd.co.jp/cgi/item_ ... ate=5&no=4 Nice price. Curiously, the book is listed only on the Japanese version of Namikawa.. With english pages, it disappear. Quote
ancientnoob Posted June 3, 2014 Report Posted June 3, 2014 Well I tried to win a copy that was at auction on ebay, but in the final moments someone chimed in and bid big dollars to sweep the book from my grasp. I was at $175 and still wasn't enough to capture it. So I tooled around for a while and found one for a fraction of the cost from Amazon. A wonderful copy that arrived today. YAY. I look forward to reading it and find out what all the hype is about. Quote
bobtail44 Posted June 4, 2014 Report Posted June 4, 2014 Well I tried to win a copy that was at auction on ebay, but in the final moments someone chimed in and bid big dollars to sweep the book from my grasp. I was at $175 and still wasn't enough to capture it. So I tooled around for a while and found one for a fraction of the cost from Amazon. A wonderful copy that arrived today. YAY. I look forward to reading it and find out what all the hype is about. The winning bidder won it for $177.50 way cheaper than he could get it for anywhere else. Trent (the sniper) Spencer Quote
ancientnoob Posted June 4, 2014 Report Posted June 4, 2014 Trent, There was two, $130 from Washington state and one for $150 in the UK. I opted for the Washington state one. Both were on Amazon. Glad to know a NMB member here sniped it from me. Saved me $40 bucks. Quote
bobtail44 Posted June 4, 2014 Report Posted June 4, 2014 Amazon and all of the websites that I contacted wouldn't ship it to Australia. So frustrating. I had to win it then ask really nicely for them to change their shipping policy to send it to me xD. I was surprised, but prob shouldn't have been, that someone from here was competing for it. Both had a win I guess. Trent Spencer Quote
steve0 Posted June 4, 2014 Report Posted June 4, 2014 it is indeed an awesome book and taught me more than any other on the topic of Nihonto. All new collectors should list this book as a must have because that is exactly what it is. Quote
Darcy Posted June 6, 2014 Report Posted June 6, 2014 Holy Crap it's $200 at Amazon now? I should have invested in this book rather than the stock market. Quote
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