2 books about tsuba for (novice) collectors, worth it?

[Amikiri]

Hey guys,

 

I've decided to start collecting tsuba but before I do it's best to read some stuff about it first and inform myself, so I've learned. I came across 2 fairly cheap books but are they worth buying or am i better off buying something else?

The books are:

- Tsuba collecting for the beginner by D.R. Raisbeck

- Genealogies of Japanese tsuba and tôsô-kinkô artists by Markus Sesko

 

Other book suggestions are also appreciated

 

Bert

[rkg]

Bert,

 

I think there's a death of good introductory texts on tsuba - I keep hoping for a fittings equivalent of "facts and fundamentals of Japanese swords", but nobody seems to write it.

 

I have no idea if the Raisbeck book is good as I won't buy a book from him - he used at least one image of mine w/o permission in the book you listed - some of the reviews said it was pretty basic, but that might just be sour grapes on my part (particularly annoying as I probably would have just let him use it gratis if he had bothered to contact me), so YMMV...  If you buy it, please post a review!

 

A good place to start for broad survey books would be Haynes's translation of Torigoye's Tsuba Geijutus-kou titled "Tsuba An Aesthetic Study". 

 

I'd also recommend picking up a copy of Sesko's "Handbook of Sword Fittings and Related Terms" - its really handy when you're trying to make sense of descriptions.  I actually have two copies for when I misplace one (ended up getting the second because I misplaced one and couldn't find it)

 

I have/refer to regularly Sesko's Genealogies book, but he has also translated a signature book which is handy (particularly the pdf version as you can search for kanji in it, helpful as you often get a pointer to at least a period/what school you should be looking at/correct English reading, etc).

 

Markus has also translated a number of other fittings related books as well.

 

If you are looking at a lot of signed tsuba, Haynes' index is also useful (I REALLY want to get a pdf version of this - it would make researching things a LOT faster).

 

The kodogu volume of the koza is useful too, though I seem to not open mine that much anymore unless I'm looking up something really esoteric.

 

Beyond that, I'd recommend spending the book money on going to places where you can study a LOT of good tsuba in hand so you know what the introductory texts are talking about.  Plus it will make purchases of other texts more useful because you'll "know" what the pictured pieces actually should look like so you aren't tripped up by bad pictures, no 3-d image, etc.

 

Good Luck on going down the rabbit hole :-)

 

Best,

rkg

(Richard George)

 

[Amikiri]

Richard George,

 

I'll definitely look them up. I've heard a lot about 'Tsuba, an aesthetic study' but i haven't found any copy for sale yet (for now). About the places where you can study tsuba in hand, would that be specific stores or certain markets? If so I'll try to find as much of them as I can, although I don't think there will be a lot of them in Belgium. 

Thanks a lot for the advice!

 

Bert 

[Ken-Hawaii]

Bert, one of our NMB members has the book. Check out http://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/books/b202-tsuba-aesthetic-study

 

Grey is a great person to work with, & has a ton of knowledge.

[Grey Doffin]

Thank you Ken, and Bert, I can recommend also Tosogu Classroom by Mr. Fukushi as translated by Markus Sesko.  This will eventually be a 5 volume set (2 are available now and the 3rd will be soon), well over 2,000 pages, and JSS/US & NBTHK members can purchase a set at cost ($40 plus post a volume): a great bargain.  Contact Markus for purchase: markus.sesko at gmail.com.

Another great reference with English is Tsuba Kanshoki by Torigoye, the 1975 edition.  Lots of pictures.

Grey