Connoisseurs Guide Vs Kantei Series From Sesko

[lonely panet]

Hi guys,

 

some time ago I sold my copy of the CONS guide to the Japanese sword, thinking I wouldn't use it any more, hahhaha stupid idea.

 

but im thinking of buying another copy, but would I be better off buying the kantei series from sesko???

[Jean]

Both are a must

[Shugyosha]

As regards the Connoisseurs' Guide, you can usually get a sample of the bit you are looking for as a Google book...

[lonely panet]

personally, I found the Connoisseurs guide can be very miss-leading and open to interpretation. did anyone else find this.

 

but with the above info, im going straight for sesko

[Shugyosha]

What I have found with the Connoisseurs' Guide is that I don't really have a sufficient level of knowledge to get the most out of it (probably true of most of my text books).

 

What I really like about the Kantei series is that there is a discussion of each of the blades and their characteristics and bids that were made and why they might have been made. I think what I am saying is that the information is given greater context and so is a little more user friendly for Nihonto nuls like me.

[paulb]

I use Markus' books much more than the Connoisseurs' Guide these days but think both have their place.

My problem with Connoiseurs is the author's instance on calling everything except Soshu hada mokume. Also there are contradictions in various parts of the text. Having said that it was still my first point of call when stcuk on a kantei until Markus' volumes appeared on the scene.

If you can get both if not go for the kantei series first.

[Kronos]

I find they serve slightly different purposes. I generally use connoisseurs for much broader things then markus' kantei series when looking at specific smiths/to time periods.

 

They're both essential imho