Book Question

[SwordGuyJoe]

I am looking to buy some books! What I would like to be able to do is view a sword and, based on the data I read in the books I am hoping that you can recommend, be able to have a good understanding of what school the sword was made, approximate era, and be able to competently describe the features of the blade (hamon, hada, shape, type of koshirae, etc.).

 

So hopefully, I have described the goal and also understand that to be completely accurate will take much more research and experience, but something to get me in the ballpark. I have read Yumoto's "Handbook", "The Yasukuni Swords: ...", "Modern Swords...", Sato's "The Japanese Sword", and have Hawleys, Sloughs, and a few other showa period smith books.

 

So what do I need to learn more? I know there are books dedicated to one school or the other, but I am looking for a book to explain more about all schools, then delve into school specific books once I find the one(s) that I am most interested in.

 

I don't want to limit based on cost of the books, but hopefully these won't be $500 books and should be relatively easy to find - and in English, as I cannot read Japanese.

 

What do you think? Can you help me on my shopping list?

[Grey Doffin]

I think you might find The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords by Kokan Nakayama useful. It's easy to find and usually sells for $50 to $70.

If you decide to get serious about this you should try to get a set of "Token Bijutsu" English edition, by the NBTHK. The 59 volumes in the set are easily the best material on the subject in English. Expect to pay about $1,500 if you can find a set.

Grey

[SwordGuyJoe]

Having a hard time finding the Token Bijutsu online, but found this: http://www.japaneseswordsocietyofcanada.org/Books.html. Is this it? It only says two volumes and is only $250, so I have my doubts.

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Joe,

I've never seen Fred Fimio's reprint of "Token Bijutsu" so I can't say much about it. I know that the original 59 volumes contain about 2,500 pages of text and oshigata, including 3 fold out full length oshigata per issue, a far cry from the 509 page reprint.

The Florida Token Kai is reprinting all 59 issues one at a time as their periodical, currently up to issue 36 of the original. The reproduction quality of the oshigatas leaves a bit to be desired but the information is the same.

Grey