Dino Posted February 27, 2008 Report Posted February 27, 2008 I am just starting to get interested in Tsuba's. I was hoping to get some recommendation's of quality books that I should be looking for. I would prefer English text if possible. Thank you Dino Quote
Grey Doffin Posted February 27, 2008 Report Posted February 27, 2008 Dino, 2 obvious choices are Sukashi Tsuba: Early Japanese Sword Guards, by Sasano, and Sasano: Japanese Sword Guards Masterpieces from the Sasano Collection, by Sasano. The 1st is out of print but found occasionally (I just sold a copy) and the 2nd is available (I believe) from Robert Benson in Hawaii. Check on his webpage found in the links on NMB homepage. Grey Quote
Jean Posted February 28, 2008 Report Posted February 28, 2008 Dino, there is : "Tsuba, An Aesthetic Study", by Kazutaro Torigoye and Robert Haynes, from the "Tsuba Geijutsu-Ko" of Kazutaro Torigoye, 300 pp. $25 domestic, and $35 international, includes shipping." Follow this link : http://www.ncjsc.org/ http://www.satcho.com/ see Tosogu section Haynes'auction catalogues are fine Nihon TÔ Koza vol VI on kodogu is fine Quote
Brian Posted February 28, 2008 Report Posted February 28, 2008 Although I don't have it yet myself, one that was hightly recommended to me by a tsuba collector and specialist is The Baur Collection, Japanese Sword-Fittings & Associated Metalwork by BW Robinson. Does anyone else have comments on this book and is it worth getting? Brian Quote
Eric H Posted February 28, 2008 Report Posted February 28, 2008 The Baur Collection, 444 pages, english, excellent images, highly recommended Japanische Schwertzierraten, Sammlung G. Oeder, 217 pages, german, hard to come by Quote
Rickisan Posted February 28, 2008 Report Posted February 28, 2008 Dino- I am also getting into Tsuba's. Lethal Elegance, is a pretty nice book,(I like it) and soon I hope to graduate to some of the books mentioned above. Check out Tosogu.com when you have a chance...lots of good info there as well.... Regards, Rick Quote
Martin Posted February 28, 2008 Report Posted February 28, 2008 Hi Dino, maybe be these links are of any help for you http://www.nihontokanjipages.com/old_forum/forum/index.php?action=display&forumid=1&msgid=378 http://home.earthlink.net/~jggilbert/reading.htm Quote
Dino Posted February 28, 2008 Author Report Posted February 28, 2008 Thank you all for your book suggestions! Time to go book shopping! Dino Quote
Henry Wilson Posted February 29, 2008 Report Posted February 29, 2008 I recently got this and am enjoying it alot. It has great pics and a nice intro by Richard George concerning pre-Edo tsuba as well as info on Tensho koshirae by Tim Evans. Well worth the price. http://www.lulu.com/content/1179116 Quote
Satcho Posted February 29, 2008 Report Posted February 29, 2008 Dino, There have been some very good suggestions here (thank you Jean for the referral). In my opinion the best books are very satisfying and the specific titles will be different for different readers. It all depends on what the reader is out to accomplish. Many books in this field may be defined as survey or reference texts. A beautiful "coffee table" book can be a general survey that inspires a reader to learn more, or a detailed study of a specific school and in that regard is a reference text. The Sasano books mentioned focus on iron sukashi, while the Baur book is an excellent survey of soft metal works. Both are great books depending on what you want to learn more about. Knowing that you enjoyed Lethal Elegance, what specifically caught your interest? The answer to that can be a good predictor of satisfaction in your next selection. Enjoy your studies. Michael Harris http://satcho.com Quote
John A Stuart Posted February 29, 2008 Report Posted February 29, 2008 Great to see you on-board Michael. John Quote
Jean Posted February 29, 2008 Report Posted February 29, 2008 It is always a pleasure Michael and while we are at it I am going to order the Nihon To Koza on Kodogu as my wife as decided to offer me something for my birthday :D :D :D Quote
Satcho Posted February 29, 2008 Report Posted February 29, 2008 John, Jean, Thank you both for the welcome. I was warned by Harry Watson that studying fittings is like swords - only harder. My interest in tosogu was sparked by the very generous members of the NY and Northern California clubs through which I came to see exemplary works. Then flipping through books I repeatedly found myself drawn to some of the same schools: Akasaka, Owari, and Kyo-sukashi. I can say given a small collection of Akasaka "wannabes" (read, need more study) that it can be hard as Harry said, but it can also be very satisfying. As I know you are both diligent in your studies, for the benefit of those new to tosogu what are your specific interests and what references have you found most useful (and why)? Michael http://satcho.com Quote
John A Stuart Posted March 1, 2008 Report Posted March 1, 2008 Well, Being interested in blades before fittings I am partial to iron tsuba, but lately am really appreciating some suaka fittings I have acquired. I like kinko but the lustre is dimming. My best all round reference is Tsuba Kanshoki but when you focus on a specific type or group you never have enough. Of course any good index is the most go to reference and totally invaluable. I sometimes wonder if I am a collector of arms or a book collector. :lol: John Quote
Satcho Posted March 2, 2008 Report Posted March 2, 2008 Well, Being interested in blades before fittings I am partial to iron tsuba, but lately am really appreciating some suaka fittings I have acquired. I like kinko but the lustre is dimming. My best all round reference is Tsuba Kanshoki but when you focus on a specific type or group you never have enough. Of course any good index is the most go to reference and totally invaluable. I sometimes wonder if I am a collector of arms or a book collector. :lol: John It's good to know what you are looking at. Good books should aid in your enjoyment of the swords and tsuba. Thanks. Michael http://satcho.com 1 Quote
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