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Bibliography of Japanese Modern Edged Weapons, 1868-1945

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Kiipu Grand Master

Kiipu

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Below is a chronological listing of books about modern Japanese edged weapons from 1868 to 1945 published after 1945.  (This thread is an update of a previous one called Bibliography of Modern Edged Weapons, 1868-1945.)  I would like to give thanks to BangBangSan (Trystan) for providing the information about Chinese language books.  Any comments, corrections, or additions welcomed, either publicly or privately.

 

Inami Hakusui 伊波･白水. Nippon-tō: The Japanese Sword. Tokyo: Japan Sword Co., Ltd., 1948.

 

Yumoto, John M. The Samurai Sword: A Handbook. Tuttle Publishing, 1958.

 

Robinson, B. W. The Arts of the Japanese Sword. London: Faber and Faber, 1961.

 

Ōno Tadashi 大野･正. Gendai tōkō meikan 現代刀工銘鑑 [Encyclopedia of Modern Swordsmiths]. Kōgei shuppan 光芸出版, 1971.

Index https://www.japaneseswordindex.com/gtmindex.htm.

 

Gregory, R. Japanese Military Swords. 1971.

 

Gendaitō meisaku zukan 現代刀名作図鑑 [An Illustrated Book of Modern Sword Masterpieces]. Satō Kanzan kanshū 佐藤･寒山 監修 [Editorial supervison by Satō Kanzan]. Tōken shunjū shinbun-sha 刀剣春秋新聞社, 1977.

Index https://www.japaneseswordindex.com/gmzindex.htm.

 

Ōno Tadashi 大野･正. Gendai tōkō･kinkō･shokkata sōran 現代刀工･金工･職方総覧. [A General Survey of Modern Swordsmiths, Metalworkers, and Artisans]. Seiun shoin 青雲書院, 1977.

 

Gregory, R., and R. Fuller. A Guide to Showa Swordsmiths: With 106 Oshigatas. 1978.

 

Murakami Kōsuke 村上･孝介. Shōwa tōken meibutsu chō 昭和刀剣名物帳 [Catalogue of Noted Japanese Swords of the Shōwa Period] Tōkyō 東京: Yūzankaku shuppan 雄山閣出版, 1979.

 

Fuller, Richard, and Ron Gregory. Swordsmiths of Japan, 1926–1945. 1983.

 

Fuller, Richard, and Ron Gregory. The Oshigata Book. 1985.

 

Fuller, Richard, and Ron Gregory. Military Swords of Japan, 1868–1945. London, GB: Arms and Armour, 1986.

 

Johnson, Larry. Japanese Bayonets: The Definitive Work on Japanese Bayonets, 1870 to the Present. Broken Arrow, Okla.: Cedar Ridge Publications, 1988.

 

Miyazaki Masa[o] 宮崎･昌幸. Imperial Japanese Daggers, 1883–1945. 1980s.

[During the 1980s, Masa handed this booklet out to collectors to show them the dirks that he was interested in.]

 

Imai Akio 今井･昭夫and Ikemori Masato 池森･正人. Nihon no gun'yō tōken 1868-1945nen 日本の軍用刀剣1868-1945年 [Japanese Military Used Swords, 1868–1945]. Army edition 陸軍編. 2 volumes. Zennihon gunsō kenkyū-kai 全日本軍装研究会, 1990.

 

Shindō Susumu 進藤･進. Nihon guntō zuroku 日本軍刀図録 [Illustrated Book of Japanese Military Swords]. 2 volumes. Zennihon gunsō kenkyū-kai 全日本軍装研究会, 1991. Volume 1 第一巻: pages 1–161; Volume 2 第二巻: pages 162–319.

 

Kishida, Tom トム･岸田. Yasukuni tōshō 靖国刀匠 [Yasukuni Swordsmiths]. Tōkyō 東京: 1994.

 

Tsutsumi Akira 堤･章. Guntō kumiai shimatsu: Rikugun jumei tōshō no shūhen 軍刀組合始末: 陸軍受命刀匠の周辺. Aizu bunkazai chōsa kenkyūkai 会津文化財調査研究会, 1994.

 

Dawson, Jim. Swords of Imperial Japan, 1868–1945. Newnan, Ga.: Stenger-Scott Publishing, 1996.

 

Fuller, Richard, and Ron Gregory. Japanese Military and Civil Swords and Dirks. Charlottesville, Va.: Howell Press, 1997.

 

Kishida, Tom トム･岸田. Yasukuni-tō: Dentō to bi no kyokuchi 靖国刀: 伝統と美の極致 [Yasukuni Swords: Tradition and Ideal Beauty]. Tōkyō 東京: Yūzankaku shuppan 雄山閣出版, 1998.

 

Kurihara Hikosaburō Akihide zenkiroku: Nihontō o nido yomigaeraseta otoko 栗原彦三郎昭秀全記録: 日本刀を二度蘇らせた男 [A Complete Record of the Life of Kurihara Hikosaburō Akihide: The Man Who Saved Japanese Swords Twice]. Kurihara Hikosaburō denki kankō-kai 栗原彦三郎伝記刊行会, 2000.

 

Wallinga, Herman A. Gendaito Made at the Minatogawa Shrine. 2000. [35 pages.]

 

Slough, John Scott. An Oshigata Book of Modern Japanese Swordsmiths, 1868–1945. Rivanna River Company, 2001.

 

Fimio, Frederick A. Swords and Swordsmiths of the Gendai Period, 1868–1989. Edited by Jane Nittolo. Barrie, Canada: The Japanese Sword Society of Canada, 2002.

 

Kapp, Leon, Hiroko Kapp, and Yoshindo Yoshihara. Modern Japanese Swords and Swordsmiths: From 1868 to the Present. Tokyo: Kodansha International, 2002.

 

Kishida, Tom. The Yasukuni Swords: Rare Weapons of Japan, 1933–1945. Translated by Kenji Mishina. Tokyo: Kodansha International, 2004.

 

Dawson, Jim. Swords of Imperial Japan, 1868–1945. Cyclopedia ed. Newnan, Ga.: Stenger-Scott Publishing, 2007.

 

LaBar, Raymond C. Bayonets of Japan: A Comprehensive Reference on Japanese Bayonets. Tunnel Hill, GA: RAYMAR, 2008.

 

Banks, Ken. Japanese Pattern Dirks: The Banks Collection. Zor’s Military Antiques, 2011.

 

Xu Yao Hua 许耀华. Ri Ben Dao Chuan Qi 日本刀传奇 [The Legend of Japanese Sword]. 航空工业出版社 Aviation Industry Press, 2012. Chinese language 中文.

 

Fuller, Richard. Japanese Sword Surrender Tags, 103 Fully Translated: Plus Retention Certificates & Surrender Letters. Dreadnought Publishing Co., 2014.

 

Kapp, Leon, Hiroko Kapp, and Leo Monson. Modern Japanese Swords: The Beginning of the Gendaito Era. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2015.

 

Wang Hui 王･辉. Ri Ben Leng Re 日本冷刃 [Japanese Cold Steel]. Shan Dong Mei Shu Chu Ban She 山东美术出版社, 2016. Chinese language 中文.

 

Bowen, Chris. The Kato Smiths of Meguro, Tokyo: Taisho to the Present – Excellence in Obscurity. 2017.

 

Ohmura Tomoyuki 大村･紀征. Shinsetsu  tatakau Nihontō 真説  戦う日本刀 [True Theory, Japanese Fighting Sword:]. BAB Japan, 2019.

 

The End.

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  • 3 months later...
Kiipu Grand Master

Kiipu

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Another update for the bibliography.  This time coming from Nick Komiya, who is active over at WRF.  Thanks Nick for all your help, much appreciated by all.  Any and all mistakes in translation are mine, and mine alone.

 

Mori Yoshio 森･良雄. Gensuitō to guntō (guntō no rekishi) 元帥刀と軍刀 (軍刀の歴史) [Field Marshal Swords and Military Swords (A History of Military Swords)]. 2001. A 78 page monograph divided into four chapters.  There are no photographs and only a few drawings.  It seems to be a collection of various government documents.

Bruce Pennington Grand Master

Bruce Pennington

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1 hour ago, BANGBANGSAN said:

Bought Ohmura Tomoyuki 大村･紀征. Shinsetsu  tatakau Nihontō 真説  戦う日本刀 [True Theory, Japanese Fighting Sword:]. BAB Japan, 2019.

 

 

If you get a chance, can you find his discussion about the RJT star stamping, if he included it in the book, and see if he cites a source for his info?

BANGBANGSAN Veteran

BANGBANGSAN

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20 minutes ago, Bruce Pennington said:

If you get a chance, can you find his discussion about the RJT star stamping, if he included it in the book, and see if he cites a source for his info?

Not in hand yet,I have friend in Japan bought it for me.

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Kiipu Grand Master

Kiipu

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Maxein, Otto.  Samuraischwerter für die Materialschlacht: Gendaito der Taisho- und frühen Showa-Periode (1912 - 1945). 2021.  ISBN: 3753454265. 224 pages.  German language.

 

Maxein, Otto.  Samurai Swords for the Material Battle: Gendaito of the Taisho and Early Showa Period (1912 - 1945).  2021. ISBN: 3753471410. 212 pages. English language.

 

BIG has located the above books, available in either German or English, and has opened a thread about them.

Book recommendation: Samurai swords for the material battle

Kiipu Grand Master

Kiipu

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Here are some corrections for the book entry 昭和刀剣名物帳 [Shōwa tōken meibutsu chō].  The author's first name is Takasuke and not Kōsuke.  There are various rōmaji titles given for this book and I have used the one that the National Diet Library provides, namely ショウワ トウケン メイブツチョウ.  Below are some links to English language descriptions of this book.

 

Japanese Sword Books and Tsuba

B512. Showa Token Meimono Chiyo by Murakami

 

Quote

Showa Token Meimono Chiyo by Murakami Takasuke

The late Dr. Murakami Takasuke was one of the famous appraisers who worked in Showa Era. His kanteisho is also regarded as one of the faithful papers. This was published by his pupils such as Shibata Mitsuo and Fukunaga Suiken as a limited print after his death. This is 893th of 1200 prints. Lots of clear photos and oshigatas are from private collections in Japan so most of them are only seen in this book. From Koto to Gendaito, about 300 blades are listed well. 19cm X 26.5cm, original box, Brown silk hard cover, 369 pages. Printed in 1979. $400. Out-of-print

http://www.jp-sword.com/ (Sale Items > Book Sale)

 

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Kiipu Grand Master

Kiipu

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On 3/21/2021 at 5:58 AM, BANGBANGSAN said:

Bought Ohmura Tomoyuki 大村･紀征. Shinsetsu  tatakau Nihontō 真説  戦う日本刀 [True Theory, Japanese Fighting Sword:]. BAB Japan, 2019.

 

BangBangSan, my copy arrived a few days ago and exceeded my expectations.  I was pleasantly surprised at how many illustrations the book had.  All in all, I thought the book was well done.  Softcover, black & white, size 6 x 8.25 inches.

 

For those in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the book can be ordered at Kinokuniya USA.  Just cut and paste the title 真説戦う日本刀 into the search box at the top of the webpage.

Home page: https://united-states.kinokuniya.com/

Direct link: https://united-states.kinokuniya.com/bw/9784814202577

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Kiipu Grand Master

Kiipu

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Mal & Co., Ltd, have published a series of monographs on various gendaitō 現代刀 swordsmiths.  The monographs focus on a specific swordsmith and his apprentices.  I have found these monographs to be well researched and thorough.  They make a great supplement to the books that cover gendaitō.  Most, if not all, can be downloaded in the "Downloads" section of this forum.  Below is a listing of the monographs that came out in 2020.  Any mistakes in transcribing are mine and not that of the author(s).

 

Cox, Malcolm E. Ichimonji Minamoto Amahide 一文字 源 天秀 and Seki Nihonto Tanren Jo 関日本刀鍛錬所; Fukumoto Koichi Kanemune (福本小市兼宗), Ido Toshimi Hidetoshi (井戸俊X三秀俊), Mouri Kazuo Kunimoto (毛利 一男圀元). 2020. 42 pages.

 

Cox, Malcolm E., and Neil G. Freeland. Kojima Tokijiro Kanemichi 小島 時次郎 兼道 and Kojima Tosho Family; Kanetoki 兼時, Kanenori 兼則, Katsumasa 勝正: Seki, Japan. 2020. 75 pages.

 

Cox, Malcolm E., and Kunihiko Toki. Seki Toki Swordsmiths: Toki Zenpei Kanemasa 土岐 兼平 兼正 and Toki Yuichi Sukenobu 土岐 雄一 亮信. 2020. 46 pages.

 

Cox, Malcolm E. Taguchi Kiichi (田口喜一) Masatsugu (正次) and Hakuryushi Tadataka (白竜子 忠孝): Hizen Swordsmiths. 2020. 46 pages.

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Kiipu Grand Master

Kiipu

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Below are the monographs that have come out in the first six months of 2021 by Cox & Co., Ltd.  If you are a member of the Nihonto Message Board (NMB), these monographs can be found by clicking the "Downloads" tab at the top of the webpage.  When the page opens, on the right hand side of the screen, click on "Member Articles".

 

Cox, Malcolm E. Seki Swordsmiths and Japanese Naval Swords. 2021. 89 pages. Superseded shortly after by Japanese Naval Swords, Parts 1 and 2.

 

Cox, Malcolm E. Japanese Naval Swords, WW 2: Swordsmiths & Workshops. Part 1. 2021. 106 pages.

 

Cox, Malcolm E. Japanese Naval Swords: Swordsmiths & Workshops. Part 2. 2021. 104 pages.

 

Cox, Malcolm, and Sueko Cox. Tokushima Swordsmiths 徳島刀匠: Showa Period and the Kaifu-to Background. 2021. 112 pages.

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Kiipu Grand Master

Kiipu

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A couple more Japanese language books for the bibliography.  Thanks to @lucidorise,  @mecox, and Guy (ghp95134) over at WRF for the additions.

 

Jingū chōkokan nōgyō-kan 神宮徴古館農業館 [Jingū History & Agricultural Museums]. Gendaigatana no hyaku-nen: Fukkō to keishō 現代刀の100年: 復興と継承 [One Hundred Years of Modern Swords: Revival and Succession]. Ise 伊勢: Jingūchōkokan nōgyō-kan 神宮徴古館農業館, 2010. 71 pages.

Show Us Your High Class Gunto, Post #466

 

Horii Tanetsugu 堀井･胤次. Enishi: Katanakaji Horii-ke hyakugojū-nen no rekishi えにし: 刀鍛冶堀井家百五十年の歴史 [Enishi: The 150 Year History of the Horii Family of Swordsmiths]. Muroran 室蘭: Horii Tanetsugu 堀井胤次, 1996.

NLF Gunto Discussion, Post #32

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Kiipu Grand Master

Kiipu

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And another Japanese language monograph courtesy of @k morita.

 

Adachi Kenzō 安立･健三. Nihon Seikōjo to Zuisen Tanto-Sho ni tsuite 日本製鋼所と瑞泉鍛刀所について [About The Japan Steel Works and Zuisen Sword Forge]. KK Nippon Seikōjo Muroran Seisakujo ㈱日本製鋼所室蘭製作所, 1974. 81 pages.

Symbol Context, Post #16

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Kiipu Grand Master

Kiipu

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The 1997 F&G book, Japanese Military and Civil Swords and Dirks, mentions in the bibliography a Japanese language work entitled Teikoku Rikukaigun Guntō Monotagatari by Okochi, Tsunehira.  This book is cited in footnote 17 on page 232, see below, and the reference can be found on page 218.  Does anyone know anything about this book or has seen or owns a copy?  I would like to acquire an image of the cover and/or title page for citation purposes.

 

Quote

17 Reference to the Gendai Tōkō Meikan by Ono Tadashi and Teikoku Rikukaigun Guntō Monotagatari by Okochi Tsunehira, which were brought to the authors’ attention by Han Bing Siong.

Page 232

 

There was a Japanese author by the name of Okōchi Tsunehira 大河内･常平 (1925-1986) that did write articles and books about Japanese swords.  However, I can find no titles that match the one mentioned in F&G.

 

I would like to extend my thanks to @Bruce Pennington for his help in looking into this matter.  As usual, he went above and beyond what would have been expected.

  • 4 weeks later...
Kiipu Grand Master

Kiipu

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@Bruno has posted details about another book of interest to collectors entitled 静岡県の現代刀匠とその作刀について.  The author was 川口･博司 [Kawaguchi Hiroshi], it was published in 1969, and came to 124 pages.  For more details, see Bruno's post via the link below and scroll down to 2021-08-25.

Help With Miyaguchi/ikkansai Kunimori Please

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BANGBANGSAN Veteran

BANGBANGSAN

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On 7/29/2021 at 6:19 AM, Kiipu said:

17 Reference to the Gendai Tōkō Meikan by Ono Tadashi and Teikoku Rikukaigun Guntō Monotagatari by Okochi Tsunehira, which were brought to the authors’ attention by Han Bing Siong.

Page 232

Thomas

Here is some info about Han Bing Siong

https://www.vriendenvanbronbeek.nl/3 Nieuws20180326ZwaardYutakaishioeda.htm

 

 

Han zwaard.jpg

After Gracy dies in 1964, the sword comes into the possession of Han Bing Siong (1932-2005), an expert on the Japanese sword.
The sword of Yutaka Nishioeda has been widely published in various books and publications at home and abroad.

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Ian B3HR2UH Rising Star

Ian B3HR2UH

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I was pleased to see Trystan had posted a photo of one of my sword collecting hero's Han Bing Siong . Here is another shot of him taken examining a sword in Ron Gregory's sword room in the 1970's.  Ron was of course one of the authors of the books on Japanese Military Swords .

Ian Brooks

DSCF5351.jpg

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PNSSHOGUN Grand Master

PNSSHOGUN

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Robin, ishikuze is there and is the extended version. The rest is correct, it is not even a Type 94 simply missing the 2nd ashi. A truly beautiful and desirable Type 98 but in no means a Type 94 pattern Shin Gunto.

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