Books for a newbie

[Paz]

So I've decided to go down the rabbit hole. And start studying / collecting armour.

 

I've had a look on amazon for books to start someone new, looking to invest into armour. 

So far apart from Ian bottemlys books, I can't seem to find any other. 

 

What I'm looking for is a book, similar to either sesko work or basic start up like Leon kapp book on swords. 

 

Something basic for a beginner, that isn't too expensive. 

 

Thanks 

[uwe]

Welcome to the “other side” Paz!

 

Good decision to start with books. Unfortunately there isn’t something like a “basic work” on armor. At least nothing in English (but of course in Japanese!). 
A few books dealing with individual parts, like helmets, masks or the cuirass, but nothing comprehensive.
Except “Chūkokatchū Seisakuben” by Sakakibara Kōzan, translated by R.Robinson. Also Markus Sesko wrote “Katchū”, but I think it’s only in German…

 

Other works are:

 

“Watanabe Art Museum/ Samurai Armor Collection” by Trevor Absolon & Dave Thatcher

“Tokugawa Clan & Bakufu Daimyō Samurai Armour Sets” V1 by Trevor Absolon
“Samurai Armour” V1 by Trevor Absolon 

”Helmets of the Saotome School” by Teruo Orikasa, Luc Taelman, Jo Anseeuw

”Stirrups of the Samurai” by Teruo Orikasa, Luc Taelman, Jo Anseeuw

“Japanese Arms and Armour” by Ian Bottomley

”Japanese Armour” by L.J.Anderson

”Japanese Arms & Armor” by R.Robinson….

….for example.

Well, there are a lot of “coffee table books” as also auction and exhibition catalogs!

 

If you seriously interested, you can try here: https://www.japanesearmorsociety.com/

 

 

 

 

 

[Gakusee]

I would add Chappelear’s intro and overview book - to me it is still a great reference about schools and mei. 
 

The Stibert Museum catalogue is both a catalogue of 100 or so great items but also overview of the main schools and the items are grouped according to these schools - for me (a katchu beginner), this is also a helpful book. Albeit more visual, there are nice descriptions. 
 

I wish Markus did an English version of his German publication but he is too busy…

 

[Toryu2020]

Japanese Arms and Armor - Crown 1969

Japanese Armor - The Galeno Collection

Japanese Armor Makers of the Samurai - Chappelear (This is basically the Meikan)

Spectacular Helmets - museum catalogue

[uwe]

Oops, yes I forgot, 

 

“Japanese Armor Makers for The Samurai” by K.Kaneda Chappelear. Quite a comprehensive overview of schools and blacksmiths (mainly based on helmets and masks).

 

Thx, Michael and Thomas!