John C Posted January 1 Report Posted January 1 36 minutes ago, Swords said: Just curious how many people on this forum think they need to read more books??? I do. In the last year, I have bought 3 to use as references. When I see a sword I like, I pull out the references (Dawson and Fuller and Gregory mostly) to examine in detail what the auction sword looks like compared to the references. My main concern is whether or not the item is fake, but also if all the parts are correct, are parts missing, are the colors or styles correct, etc. If I have further questions, I then post them on the forum with the proviso that I have already done some research and couldn't find the answer. So in sum, I do think books are a valuable reference source to do some preliminary research. But am I going to memorize them and become an expert? Not likely. John C. 1
oli Posted January 1 Report Posted January 1 i think even expert needs books. Maybe one time in the future we can ask Nihonto question to a KI like ChatGPT. Regards Oli
David Flynn Posted January 1 Report Posted January 1 When Yoshikawa Sensie, came to Oz for the Shinsa in 2009, the team had left their copies of Fujishiro behind and had to borrow a set. So, even the Shinsa teams, use books. 2
Swords Posted January 1 Author Report Posted January 1 Dawson fuller and Gregory are the the same or 2 different books im going to check Amazon maybe are there thanks for the tip
David Flynn Posted January 1 Report Posted January 1 Dawson and Fuller & Gregory, only comment on Military swords and mostly the mountings. The books you need are: The Conisseurs guide; Facts and Fundermentals; the Craft of the Japanese sword; Fujishiro; Nihon to Koza and Slough. 1
Conway S Posted January 1 Report Posted January 1 Steve, I would say “Japanese Military and Civil Swords and Dirks” by Fuller and Gregory is less helpful than Dawson’s. It’s an older book and some of the information is outdated. Same with Dawson, but it’s a newer book. I think most would agree Dawson’s Cyclopedia is the best reference for military swords. David is right though. Dawson’s is more of a guide for identifying the mountings and models as opposed to a source of explaining the finer elements of sword construction and quality. I think David provided some good suggestions. If you’re interested in Dawson it’s available on eBay sold by the author. Swords of Imperial Japan 1868-1945 For Sale by the Author Japanese Sword book Conway 1
Swords Posted January 1 Author Report Posted January 1 Great I have the craft of Japanese swords I have been meaning to buy the The Conisseurs guide; Facts and Fundermentals; I think I will start with Dawson since it’s on eBay And Conisseurs if I can find it somewhere great help thanks Now I hav a couple of books to start with 1
Swords Posted January 1 Author Report Posted January 1 Now I have been looking for a WW2 Japanese navy there is a stainless with signature and anchor stamped I couldn’t use help with price He wants 2500 which I believe is a little pricey I can send pictures ?
Swords Posted January 1 Author Report Posted January 1 Yes it’s on EBay for 175.00 Is that a good price ?
Swords Posted January 1 Author Report Posted January 1 I should have clarified the book is Swords of Imperial Japan 1868-1945 For Sale by the Author Japanese Sword book by Jim Dawson 175.00 on EBay
Stephen Posted January 1 Report Posted January 1 17 minutes ago, Swords said: I can send pictures ? Maybe under a new thread. Under auctions. This one has pretty much run the gamit.
b.hennick Posted January 1 Report Posted January 1 Yes! Buy books! First sword and first sword book were bought in 1976. Every year I buy more books. In 2023 I bought 5 or 6. I look forward to buying more in 2024. 2
Swords Posted January 1 Author Report Posted January 1 I need help with the value since it’s stainless is it worth 2500? I’m thinking more Like 1600
Swords Posted January 1 Author Report Posted January 1 That’s a lot of books And are expensive 175 for the Dawson jon slough cost me 250.00 but it’s worth it 1
nulldevice Posted January 2 Report Posted January 2 5 hours ago, Swords said: Just curious how many people on this forum think they need to read more books??? I've skim read the Connoisseur's Guide and I feel like I've learned a ton but mostly I've learned that I know next to nothing. I'm looking for another book or 2 to pick up and keep looking at sword auctions and seeing what I can see based on pictures and compare to the description.
John C Posted January 2 Report Posted January 2 @Bruce Pennington Is the stamp above one of the "mystery" Inaba stamps? Here is the auction: https://www.ebay.com/itm/296129779214?hash=item44f2b5d60e:g:B2sAAOSwC9dli1zm&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8K5FP3r%2Fc3SGuU7Pvkb6zQAYl4U6FiMVGwzo89wB43gk8XqRLG7xBBwmoBWx6VLzhYEpu6nFQC8vC1bn3855%2BIrOhaj%2BWDn6KVmT0f3L4n%2B12NXRXnHpaLo%2BhKikt5Ms1VnK6aBR3LqeqcQQrXPHpaCAId68nCAx2YaCHfUPUMI4B992W8%2Br6rkBpTUiuxcjo86dXnviDW70N0au9eGz4ZruiD%2F0vhK8nLcxVRkRV9dBRRWy1NW9cALI4TDTC8ensprPymmO1RHvV4NdosUYk2de9d0mt1Da%2FpfRQY7fNaxiDn7krKMsllxCfAt1hnt%2BJw%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR8jL_vmYYw John C.
John C Posted January 2 Report Posted January 2 2 hours ago, Swords said: Like 1600 For what it's worth, I think you are correct - 1600 to 1800. He wants 3000. But I'm sure someone will disagree with me so take with a grain of salt. John C.
Swords Posted January 2 Author Report Posted January 2 I agree I don’t know why I asked about price when I already know it’s value I don’t trust my decisions Thanks John 1 1
Guest Simon R Posted January 2 Report Posted January 2 I'm bored with this. Either this guy is a super manipulator or there's 'something wrong'. Any of you gentlemen who - out of sheer kindness - react to further questions from this individual are fruitlessly wasting precious minutes of your lives. Personally, I am going to block his posts from now and I strongly suggest that everyone else does likewise.
The Blacksmith Posted January 2 Report Posted January 2 I for one certainly need to read more. I have a several hundred books on arms and armour, but unfortunately, my Japanese library following a fire , is woefully scant now. On one forum I am a member of, one of the members has a terrific signature: 'Before you start collecting, spend your first $1000 on books.' How true that is! I wish more would be collectors heeded that sound advice. By the way, I am not talking about this post either, there are lots of sword and bayonet collectors who would benefit from having, and reading, a good selection of books! On the subject of Japanese sword books, I have a copy of Dawson that I am thinking of buying, but I also wondered about Plimpton's Swords of the Emperor. Which of these two tomes is really the better in members opinions please? Knowing me, as a book collector anyway, I will probably eventually end up with both at some point, but where to start? Thank you in advance.
PNSSHOGUN Posted January 2 Report Posted January 2 The Jim Dawson book is the better one in terms of amount of information, examples, and quality of research. The Swords of the Emperor very much seems like a good quality coffee table book and less like a reference material. Both are rather pitiful in terms of showing blades, with the majority of focus on mounts. 3
The Blacksmith Posted January 2 Report Posted January 2 @PNSSHOGUN Thank you for that John. That is very helpful. I had wondered since the Plimpton book is so much bigger.
francois2605 Posted January 2 Report Posted January 2 14 hours ago, Swords said: Just curious how many people on this forum think they need to read more books??? I think I should read more. I bought tons of books but barely read them: I start full of optimism but rarely make it to the end (it takes a serious commitment on the medium term which isn't compatible with the way I operate). Multiple reasons for that: * When I have free time (in the evening) after a work day, I'm usually too tired to read something as technical as a nihonto book * English isn't my native english which only makes the learning more difficult * Reading a nihonto book is usually at the bottom of my todo list * My brain is wired to remember reasonings / logical facts and connect them with things I already know (I remember the logic and derive facts from it). That's how I accumulate knowledge. It's very challenging for someone like me to accumulate knowledge in the field of nihonto: all I read seems to be "random" facts disconnected from what I read previously, I have a very hard time remembering things related to nihonto because I fail to draw any logical connection between facts A and B. As a consequence, reading is not the problem, the problem is remembering what you read and accumulating knowledge over time. 1
Brian Posted January 2 Report Posted January 2 You can develop a ton of knowledge just by taking 10 minutes a day or every few days and just reading every unread post on the forum. You may not take all of it in, but over time you'll suddenly find you recognize a lot of kanji, and various concepts will be ingrained. This doesn't take the place of books, but is a great step in the right direction and would answer many of your questions. Too many only read the one or 2 sections that they have a main interest in. 3
Stephen Posted January 2 Report Posted January 2 A bipolar thread if there ever was one, so much-needed info on learing before buying and heartfelt giving advice, not commenting on other half of yo-yoing of what shiny objects catch my eye. Servers no purpose to ridicule. Like Simon, I'm out.
Bruce Pennington Posted January 2 Report Posted January 2 13 hours ago, Swords said: That’s a lot of books And are expensive 175 for the Dawson jon slough cost me 250.00 but it’s worth it That's a steal of a price for the Dawson book, Steve! I'd jump on that. 5 hours ago, The Blacksmith said: I also wondered about Plimpton's Swords of the Emperor I agree with John, Russ. Plimpton's book is bigger and has some examples of swords not seen in any other reference, so useful for that. But it shows no blades at all, and like John said, the history discussions in Dawson are more in-depth than in Plimpton. I'm glad I have both, but if I had to choose 1 I'd go with Dawson first. 1
Bruce Pennington Posted January 2 Report Posted January 2 12 hours ago, John C said: Is the stamp above one of the "mystery" Inaba stamps? Yes it is, John, thanks for the link! And you're probably right on that price. Before COVID you couldn't tough a kaigunto for less than $2,400. Now, they seem to be going for less than $2,000. The seller is way high for today's market.
Swords Posted January 2 Author Report Posted January 2 I agree especially these common stainless ones I just lost the one that sold back to square one I would have paid extra for that one Dang
Swords Posted January 2 Author Report Posted January 2 Is this one of the books you mentioned Swords of Imperial Japan 1868-1945 by Jim Dawson military reference book
John C Posted January 2 Report Posted January 2 Yes. It's an excellent resource to compare what a military sword should look like vs what is being sold on-line. I think you can still get them for 175 from Dawson himself. Worth the investment to avoid a costly mistake. John C.
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