Lewis B Posted November 1 Report Posted November 1 https://www.amazon.c...Er-aT9uwLW7nOuYKcmrQ 1 1 Quote
Natichu Posted November 1 Report Posted November 1 I pre-ordered and received my copy the other day. I haven't had the chance to review in depth but will circle back with my thoughts when I've spent a bit more time with it. Not cheap, but not bad and on first glance a beautiful book! 1 Quote
Schneeds Posted November 1 Report Posted November 1 Thank you for posting that. Hard to think of a better way for me to spend $36. 1 Quote
ckaiserca Posted November 1 Report Posted November 1 I ordered a copy from Amazon Canada today. It should arrive tomorrow. It was supposedly the only copy they had in stock. Price in Canada was $59.95 CDN. Quote
ckaiserca Posted November 2 Report Posted November 2 Stunning book. The photography is first rate and even has a couple very impressive 4 page foldouts of important swords in 92.5% scale. 2 Quote
John C Posted November 7 Report Posted November 7 My copy is arriving today. Review to come... John C. Quote
Schneeds Posted November 8 Report Posted November 8 That Ichimonji National Treasure sword on the page 24 spread is beyond words. At 92% scale, that alone is worth the price of the book. 2 Quote
Gakusee Posted November 8 Report Posted November 8 Very nice introductory book and to receive it from the author directly and get his autograph was an added bonus. Good visuals, interesting choice of historic figures and good variety of items. Very well done, Paul! 1 Quote
John C Posted November 9 Report Posted November 9 I love the detail and clarity of the hamon pics in Paul Martin's book. Nice way to pick out and study the details. p.s. picked up another good book - Leon Kapp's Craft of the Japanese sword. Goes through the forging and construction process. John C. 1 Quote
Lewis B Posted November 9 Author Report Posted November 9 6 hours ago, John C said: picked up another good book - Leon Kapp's Craft of the Japanese sword. Goes through the forging and construction process. Found a used copy in Berlin. Appears to be one of the best English language references for understanding the technology of sword making. The author sounds fascinating. Kapp was a Molecular Biologist at UCSF where I worked for 7 years in the lab of Nobel Laureate Stan Prusiner. 2 Quote
John C Posted November 9 Report Posted November 9 Sorry, Jacques, I miss your meaning. Are you talking about the book or your own penchant for negative responses? A lot of new collectors, me included, would find the information in some of the older (i.e., cheaper) books useful. John C. 1 Quote
Jacques D. Posted November 9 Report Posted November 9 It's redundant: all famous swords have been the subject of numerous publications. We learn nothing new. 5 Quote
Natichu Posted November 9 Report Posted November 9 48 minutes ago, Jacques D. said: It's redundant: all famous swords have been the subject of numerous publications. We learn nothing new. I'd suggest the photography is likely something new for many, as well as the accessibility. So while it may not expand your knowledge base, it does for many of us earlier in our journey than you are. Not all publications need to be all things to all people to be works of worth. 4 Quote
Jacques D. Posted November 9 Report Posted November 9 It's a pity this book isn't available in English, because it's a real treasure. It's a thesis written by Robert Buravoy in which he demonstrates that the genealogy of the Myochin school of armor-making is largely invented, at least for the 15/16th century.This kind of book is a real plus for those who are interested in the world of samurai and their equipment and want to go beyond the commonly published popularization. I do have the original thesis published in 2008 https://www.persee.f...2018_t22_0181_0000_3 3 Quote
Gakusee Posted November 9 Report Posted November 9 2 hours ago, Jacques D. said: It's redundant: all famous swords have been the subject of numerous publications. We learn nothing new. The book contains not only swords…. So this derogatory statement is misleading… The book approaches the subject by describing the historical figure (so that is useful background to people who owned the famous item that follows), shows depictions of them in art (scrolls, prints, paintings etc) and then illustrates items owned by these famous people - could be swords but could also include armour. 4 Quote
Jacques D. Posted November 9 Report Posted November 9 28 minutes ago, Gakusee said: The book contains not only swords…. So this derogatory statement is misleading… The book approaches the subject by describing the historical figure (so that is useful background to people who owned the famous item that follows), shows depictions of them in art (scrolls, prints, paintings etc) and then illustrates items owned by these famous people - could be swords but could also include armour. What's new and undocumented elsewhere? Another treasure (not available in english): It lists all the historical figures and facts, laws, major companies, etc. in Japanese history https://www.aventure...naire-histoire-japon Available free of charge here https://www.persee.fr/collection/dhjap 1 Quote
Schneeds Posted November 9 Report Posted November 9 Kindly point me in the direction of another book with this level of photography for 36 USD. Quote
GeorgeLuucas Posted November 9 Report Posted November 9 It’s a good book! I really like the images and information. I recommend it! But I’m one of those weirdos who doesn’t mind if information is available in more than one place, and likes when it’s neatly collected with amazing images 2 Quote
Gakusee Posted November 10 Report Posted November 10 13 hours ago, Jacques D. said: What's new and undocumented elsewhere? Another treasure (not available in english): It lists all the historical figures and facts, laws, major companies, etc. in Japanese history https://www.aventure...naire-histoire-japon Available free of charge here https://www.persee.fr/collection/dhjap Nothing about new and undocumented. You don’t get it, do you, Jacques? This is an introductory book. Introductory books do not usually show treasures. They normally teach about sugata, hataraki and show hamon outlines… I really do not understand what pleasure you derive from bickering and criticising all the time. If you take a more positive stance, perhaps you will attract some more positive energy in the universe… Oh wait a second, I forgot - you are a physicist, so you probably believe you must be as negatively charged as possible to get some positive energy 3 Quote
Jacques D. Posted November 10 Report Posted November 10 https://www.dictiona...om/browse/redundancy Quote Introductory books do not usually show treasures. Have you opened this book at least once? And this is just one example - I can name many others in French, English and Japanese. https://www.amazon.f...-Guide/dp/0870115626 Quote
Gakusee Posted November 10 Report Posted November 10 9 minutes ago, Jacques D. said: https://www.dictiona...om/browse/redundancy https://www.oed.com/...pe=Entries&q=Palaver Quote
Sheridan Posted November 11 Report Posted November 11 On 11/9/2024 at 12:37 PM, Jacques D. said: It's redundant: all famous swords have been the subject of numerous publications. We learn nothing new. I don't always acquire a book to learn something new - it can just be about appreciating the artistry and craftsmanship in these blades thru a unique presentation, such as the foldout large images included in Paul's book, even though I may have seen those blades before... 3 Quote
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