Tsuba Dictionary/Resource

Larason2 · April 7, 2023

Is there a single book (or collection) where you can have a reasonably comprehensive collection of Japanese tsuba styles (preferably in colour!). If not, which books would be recommended which together would be able to give a reasonably comprehensive collection of tsuba styles for the aspiring tsuba maker? Thanks!

rematron · April 7, 2023

I recently purchased and have been reading 'Lethal Elegance' by Joe Earl. It was recommended by a tsuba maker in NMB. It has wonderful large full color photos and has a comprehensive collection of styles and materials. It also covers fuchikashira and menuki. I highly recommend it. Ordered from Amazon. $37.50USD (price on jacket)

Toryu2020 · April 7, 2023

Not in color but the NCJSC Has two good books for the student of tsuba/Fittings...

Publications (ncjsc.org)

-tch

GoldenDrachen · April 7, 2023

This book is very interesting. It also gives you info on the motif etc.

Grey Doffin · April 7, 2023

For a comprehensive look at tsuba, you'd be hard pressed to do better than Tsuba Kanshoki by Torigoye. The 1975 edition is in Japanese and English.

https://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b823-tsuba-kanshoki-by-torigoye-1975/

Tosogu Classroom by Fukushi as translated by Sesko and published by the JSS/US and NBTHK/AB & EB, is another good one.

Grey

rkg · April 7, 2023

Boy, that's tough, as there are actually a LOT of books out there that might be useful for you.

All of the above are good, but here are a few off-the-wall suggestions you might look at.

If you want to look at a large number of different styles themes, etc organized by what group made them, you might look at getting a copy of Tsuba Shusei (the elephant book) by Nakamura - mostly b/w images unfortunately, but it is quite the collection of pieces:
https://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b525-tsuba-shusei-by-nakamura/

If you are just looking for "style" as in shapes, nomenclature, etc another book that you might find surprisingly useful is Kajihara Kotoken's visual glossary

https://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b364-nihonto-swords-of-Japan-a-visual-glossary-Japanese-volume/

Also, I'm not certain if it is in print anymore, but Markus Sesko's Handbook of Sword Fittings Related Terms summarizes a whole lot of kodogu related structures, shapes, construction techniques, etc - real handy when you are looking for the Japanese name for some feature.

Good Luck,

rkg

(Richard George)

rematron · April 7, 2023

Markus Sesko's Handbook of Sword Fittings Related Terms

It's out of print. I posted that I was looking for this in the 'wanted' section but just crickets... hahaha. Must be a great book.

rkg · April 7, 2023

Jeremy,

You might contact Markus directly about that.

Best,

rkg

(Richard George)

Larason2 · April 7, 2023

Thanks all! I ordered what I could, and inquired about the rest. Very helpful!

Spartancrest · April 8, 2023

I can recommend these two volumes, lifesize images with English captions - I also recommend you shop around as prices are all over the place and often much cheaper coming out of Japan directly.

7 hours ago, rematron said:

Markus Sesko's Handbook of Sword Fittings Related Terms

Marcus's book has been superceded by his "Encyclopedia of Japanese Swords" https://www.amazon.com.au/Encyclopedia-Japanese-Swords-Markus-Sesko/dp/131256315X It has all the same information as "Handbook" with a lot more added.

rematron · April 8, 2023

Oh! I have that! LOL. Just haven’t started it yet. Duh…

rkg · April 8, 2023

Good point on the encyclopedia. I still end up using the original all the time though. In a crowded office space small handbooks just on what you're interested in can be your friend (+ its easier to write notes in than the pdf file (for me anyway).).

Also, be sure to watch yahoo!Japan for books - sometimes these large Japanese books show up in waves and sometimes they go for amazingly low prices (particularly if you can put up with a non- pristine copy). The trouble is that you can also literally go for years between seeing copies of some of them. And there's actually a large number of interesting books that aren't one of these "classics" that show up all the time, often don't go for much.

Best,

rkg

(Richard George)

Spartancrest · April 9, 2023

12 hours ago, rkg said:

The trouble is that you can also literally go for years between seeing copies of some of them.

Richard you are so right, and they do come through in 'waves', likely some heir is selling off Dad's/Grandfather's collection. What I find a little funny is how some of these books go through the auctions without a single bid for time after time, are the Japanese themselves not interested in these earlier works? Or is it that they are partly in English? The few I have managed to get hold of were generally in great condition, covers a little faded, slightly musty smell the usual for 50+ year old books, but what strikes me most is the quality of the paper and the fantastic binding that most European books can't match.

You might want to add these to your list [all in Japanese]

https://www.jauce.com/auction/w1087777704 or https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/w1087777704

https://www.jauce.com/auction/o1087652227 or https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/o1087652227

Spartancrest · April 9, 2023

18 hours ago, rkg said:

books show up in waves

It must be the crest of a wave going through now!

https://www.jauce.com/auction/c1087876054 this one with some English

https://www.jauce.com/auction/t1087868048 this one another more expensive version of one in the last post.

This link has a lot of sword books as well - all in Japanese - https://www.jauce.com/user/raywind32?search=tsuba

rkg · April 13, 2023

and... the tsuba taikan is another interesting one to thumb through - prices are all over the map though - here's one that just popped up on YJ:

https://www.sendico.com/ayahoo/item/t1088359151

Obligatory screen shot from auction grabbed for posterity

Best,

rkg

(Richard George)

Spartancrest · April 13, 2023

6 hours ago, rkg said:

here's one that just popped up on YJ:

Thanks Richard - the same auction on Jauce and Buyee for anyone who uses those auction houses.

https://www.jauce.com/auction/t1088359151

https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/t1088359151

rkg · April 14, 2023

15 hours ago, Spartancrest said:

Thanks Richard - the same auction on Jauce and Buyee for anyone who uses those auction houses.

https://www.jauce.com/auction/t1088359151

https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/t1088359151

Oops my bad - just posted the link to my agent of choice - here's the actual YJ link:
https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/t1088359151

Best,

rkg

(Richard George)

Soshin · April 15, 2023

I personally hate auctions and like to avoid them if possible. I prefer purchasing from independent book dealers like Grey Doffin (Japanese sword books and tsuba – Japanese sword books and tsuba) for example see his reply above. I also sometimes purchase books by him directly from Markus Sessko (Markus Sesko | Japanese Arms and Armor). I would also check out and get familiar with the Japanese culture, history, and language. A good online resources dictionary is Jisho (Jisho.org: Japanese Dictionary). if you would like to go a bit deeper with your studies. I hope you find this information helpful.

Spartancrest · April 29, 2023

There seems to be a run on this particular book dating from 1974. Limited edition 1,200 copies over 500 pages mainly tsuba in Japanese. It would pay to check the book condition on some of these sites, the one shown has spine discolouration and some bumped corners on the cover box - pages are fine.

I managed to grab a copy last night for 4,000 yen.