Best five or so books for beginning Nihonto

[Sam Elliott]

Hi all,

 

I ran a search under books in an attempt to find five or so books for someone really just getting into the infancy stages of learning about /study of Nihonto, and the data base was overwhelmed with the word books. I'm looking for recommendations for a good foundation in terms of reference material.

 

Thanks,

 

Sam

[Derek]

http://www.satcho.com/Intro_Texts.htm

 

 

How about 10? :D

 

Derek

[Curran]

THE CRAFT OF THE Japanese SWORD

Leon & Hiroko Kapp, and Yoshindo Yoshihara

Details the creation of the sword as the combined efforts of: the smith, polisher, habaki and fittings maker, and saya maker. The contributions of each is detailed with step by step photographs accompanying detailed text and many examples. In addition, comparisons of koto and shinsaku blades are included with color, b&w photos, and many illustrations throughout.

167 pages, 7½ x 10½" hardcover $45.00

 

-- I always forget this one. It is simple but excellent.

[DirkO]

http://www.nihontomessageboard.com/faq.html

[rkg]

Nakahara's "Facts and fundamentals of Japanese Swords A Collector's guide" - it isn't on the site list, has some contradictory observations to some of the other more "accepted" beginner's books,

but I would highly recommend it as one of the top 5 beginner's books - I wish it had been available in english when I had started collecting - would have saved me a LOT of mistakes/money

 

Best,

 

rkg

(Richard George)

[Brian]

Search the forum for "recommended reading" which should fill the gaps.

Most of these come up for sale here regularly for bargain prices.

 

Brian

[Chinook]

Hello Sam, I agree with Richard George. Nakahara's book is the best book in english you can buy. For me this book is about ten years to late. I have about worn my first one out. Sincerely, Mark P.

[Surfson]

Yumoto, Sato, Robinson, Nakahara, Kapp would be my suggestions.