Wanting To Identify My Sword - Recommended Books?

[JohnK]

Having dipped my toes into Nihonto waters I'm now looking to study one ofy swords. It's a mumei wakizashi and I want to do some sleuthing.

 

I have Yoshihara's Art of the Japanese Sword and The Sword of Japan by Bott. What is the next logical reference tome for me?

 

I know nothing about the sword and I don't want to simply post pics and ask for opinions as I want to genuinely learn how to kantei myself.

 

Given that I don't know any other collectors and opportunities to study swords in person is limited I'm looking for some good reference guides before I submit an opinion to this forum.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

John

[Grey Doffin]

Hi John,

The connoisseur's Book of the Japanese Sword is exactly the book you want.  Out of stock with me at the moment but here is the book on my site so you can see what it is.

http://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/books/b865-connoisseurs-book-Japanese-swords-kokan-nagayama

Grey

[seattle1]

Hello"

 As a general and highly respected survey you could not do better than Kokan Nagayama. The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords (Kodqansha International, 1997). It was translated by Mishina Kenji, one of the students of Nagayama sensei, recently deceased, and who was a designated Living National Treasure as a sword polisher.

 Arnold F.

[b.hennick]

To those of us who have the Connoisseur's book it is probably time to reread the book. There is so much in the book that when you know more you will appreciate it more.

[JohnK]

Thanks chaps. It was on my list but with such a bewildering range of potential books it would be too easy to spend far too much without progressing my knowledge very far.

 

I'll get Nagayama's book and take it from there.

 

If I can get as far as identifying the era and tradition then I'll be delighted. I don't expect to get as far as school or smith but you never know until you try.

 

Once I've done my homework I'll post on here so I can learn from my rookie mistakes. It's a fascinatingly deep topic and I'm certain that I'm going to thoroughly enjoy this hobby.

 

John

[b.hennick]

John:

You need to study swords in-hand. I suggest that you join study groups and go to sword shows. The money that you spend on travel will save you much more by lessening the mistakes that one inevitably makes.

[JohnK]

Here in South West England there's not much on the way of shows or exhibits. Travelling to London is prohibitively expensive to do regularly however I intend to visit the British Museum. The Ashmolean museum in Oxford has some blades I believe but neither of these will allow in hand study.

[b.hennick]

Hi John:

I have found that a letter to a curator at a museum can result in a behind the scenes visit to collections. I have often written to people in cities that I visited and got to see museum collections. At least that worked in Canada and the U.S.A. 

If you join the sword clubs in England you may find collectors who live close enough for a visit. Recently I was contacted by a friend who wants to set up a small (3 people) sword study session. If you can a mentor your journey will have a smoother route to travel.

[EdWolf]

Hi John,

The following site is also a nice start for learning Kantei. Markus Sesko gives very good information about this subject for free.

 

https://markussesko.com/kantei/

 

Regards, Ed

[Geraint]

Hi John.

 

From where I sit Swindon is not the south west, more home counties!  If you ever get down this far drop me a line and come visit.

 

All the best.

[Mortis]

Mr. Hennick posting with some great advice on this thread. Letters to museum curators is something I never even would have contemplated before. Wonderful, if also intimidating, suggestion for the bold right there. I feel like you'd have to be considered beyond average in knowledge to knock on that door though.

[b.hennick]

Hi Justin:

You never know until you try. I think it helps if you belong to a sword club/organization. You have to tell them a little about yourself and your interests and what you are interested in seeing. 

[Ken-Hawaii]

Welcome, John, to the most expensive & frustrating hobby you'll ever have! But it's also the most rewarding, as long as you're willing to put in the time to study, as you obviously are already doing.

 

As you read those books, please look for the methodology for kantei. You really do have to look for details in a certain order, each of which will support your theory of what you have. Here are two links that I've found to be particularly useful:

 

http://www.nihonto.ro/

 

http://www.nihonto.com/abtmaj.html

 

Ken

 

[Alex A]

Hi John, apart from the books mentioned, check out sites like Aoi https://www.aoijapan.com/japaneseswords/katana

 

Look at the sword differences between age, schools etc.

 

I like window shopping, educational, and free

[JohnK]

Wow! Thanks for all the help and encouragement, I really appreciate it.

 

I've checked out Marcus's site and I'll follow the rest of the links too. Big thanks for the invite to the UK Token Society too. I'll be sure to join up. It's clear that the best method of learning is to see these swords in hand with knowledgeable collectors so I'll do my best to get out and about.

 

Does anyone know if the Birmingham As Fair is worth attending from a Nihonto point of view? I have an interest in flintlock too so I'll probably go along just for that.

[Shugyosha]

  On 8/14/2017 at 4:57 PM, JohnK said:

Here in South West England there's not much on the way of shows or exhibits. Travelling to London is prohibitively expensive to do regularly however I intend to visit the British Museum. The Ashmolean museum in Oxford has some blades I believe but neither of these will allow in hand study.

Hi John,

 

The top floor of the Pitt Rivers museum in Oxford is given over to weaponry and there are some Japanese blades there.

 

Best,

John

[Shugyosha]

  On 8/15/2017 at 9:31 AM, JohnK said:

Wow! Thanks for all the help and encouragement, I really appreciate it.

 

I've checked out Marcus's site and I'll follow the rest of the links too. Big thanks for the invite to the UK Token Society too. I'll be sure to join up. It's clear that the best method of learning is to see these swords in hand with knowledgeable collectors so I'll do my best to get out and about.

 

Does anyone know if the Birmingham As Fair is worth attending from a Nihonto point of view? I have an interest in flintlock too so I'll probably go along just for that.

 

I think it's one that Peter Yorke attends regularly, but you would have to check the list of exhibitors. Garth Vincent sometimes has Japanese blades as does Michael D Long and I've encountered them at the London Arms Fair so they may do Birmingham as it is nearer for them and may well be for you too.

 

If you are going to London you could try to drop in on Don Bayney at Grays Antique Centre, though I understand that it pays to contact him first as he isn't there every day.

[Vermithrax16]

Props to poster original poster John. He could have just posted a picture and said "what is this?" and someone here would know. Instead looking to study and find out on his own. Best way to learn.

 

Barry,

GREAT idea about the Museum angle. I never even thought of that.