In excellent condition minus a tiny stain on the last 4 pages and a few mild creases to the cover. Among the many books concerning the japanese swords nagayamas book holds arguably the top position, being the reference based on what all the other books are judged. Japanese samurai weapons chronicle sword in the edo period, with a focus on guns. Check also the many online book dealers which sell both inprint and out of print books on japanese swords. This is an announcement for the benefit of any new members who may be seeking a new copy of the connoisseurs book of japanese swords by kokan nagayama. This edition is faithful to the original one and it is definitely a must have for every serious japanese swords enthusiast. Through the centuries, the great connoisseurs have been polishers.
The cyclopedia edition is a greatly expanded revision of the 1996 sword book. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. This content was uploaded by our users and we assume good faith they have the permission to share this book. Japanese samuari sword books and videos nihonto taikan. To understand japanese sword polishing is to understand the sword itself. The history, metallurgy and the connoisseur s book of japanese swords. The dvd also contains an introduction to the japanese sword at a sword shop in kyoto and a visit to a dojo for a beginners class in the medieval sworddrawing art called iaido.
Page 1 of 2 the connoisseurs book of japanese swords posted in general nihonto related discussion. Buy the connoisseurs book of japanese swords reprinted by kokan nagayama isbn. Katana can also be known as dai or daito among western sword enthusiasts although daito is a generic name for any japanese long sword, literally meaning big sword. The connoisseurs book of japanese swords edition 1 by. The connoisseurs book of japanese swords by kokan nagayama, 9781568365817, available at book depository with free delivery. The connoisseurs book of japanese swords kokan nagayama. Its author, until his death in 1978, was one of japans foremost sword experts, and his wide knowledge is here brought to bear on every aspect of sword lore, including forging techniques and problems of appraisal. May 17, 2014 this is an announcement for the benefit of any new members who may be seeking a new copy of the connoisseur s book of japanese swords by kokan nagayama. The connoisseurs book of japanese swords by kokan nagayama. This book examines in detail the polishers techniques. The dvd also contains an introduction to the japanese sword at a sword shop in kyoto and a visit to a dojo for a beginners class in the medieval sworddrawing. Richly illustrated throughout with more than 550 of the authors own painstaking oshigata illustrations sword tracings onto which details are penciled in by hand the connoisseurs book of japanese swords is easily the most informative and comprehensive guide to the blades of japanese swords. It may have been used by silversmiths since the muromachi period.
Fly fishing books the connoisseurs book of japanese swords. The book is organized along historical lines for the sake of clarity and convenience, and its approach is always practical. School uniform girlsgirls uniformsphoto linkcosplaypeoplebeautykatanapostsblue. But in the momoyama period, a certain umetada myoju 15581631 emerged to become the founder of the manufacture of socalled new swords, or shinto, and to rank with kaneie and nobuie as a great designer and maker of sword guards. Sep 10, 2012 the art of the japanese sword conveys to the reader japanese samurai sword history and japanese sword care, as well as explaining how to view and appreciate a blade. Richly illustrated throughout with more than 550 of the authors own painstaking oshigata illustrations sword tracings onto which details are penciled in by handthe connoisseurs book of japanese swords is easily the most informative and comprehensive guide to the blades of japanese swords ever to appear in english. I bought the connoisseur s book of japanese swords by kokan nagayama as a present for my husband who has always been a sword enthusiast and now has started actively collecting swords. From the black hawk helicopter to the ticonderogaclass cruiser to the fabled f15, this print breaks down a battalion of 180 tanks, jets, subs, and more. The art of japanese sword polishing is the first book in english to examine in great detail the polishers techniques skills it often takes up to ten years of apprenticeship to master. The connoisseurs book of japanese swords facts and fundamentals of japanese swords a collectors guide by nobuo nakahara this is an invaluable resource. Connoisseurs book of japanese swords by kokan nagayama ebay. If you could only afford three books on japanese swords which ones would you suggest. The connoisseurs book of japanese swords 9781568365817.
I am a novice and would greatly appreciate any assistance you could offer. Connoisseur s book of japanese swords by kokan nagayama at. I couldnt bring myself to sell any of my other books in the end so only these 2. Join a club near you, go to museums, go to the shows that are held around the country san. The connoisseurs book of japanese swords ebooks free. With 256 fullcolor pages, this sword book illustrates in meticulous detail how modern craftsmen use traditional methods to prepare their steel, forge the sword and create the. The connoisseurs book of japanese swords penguin random. Umetada is a japanese style of decoration for metal work. Oct 23, 2019 the connoisseur s book of japanese swords. Richly illustrated throughout with more the 550 of the authors own painstaking oshigata illustrationssword tracings onto which details are penciled in by hand the connoisseurs book of japanese swords is easily the most informative and comprehensive guide to the blades of japanese swords ever to appear in english. This volume, containing color and blackandwhite plates, has been prepared as an introduction to the history and appreciation of the japanese sword. May not include supplemental items like discs, access codes, dust jacket, etc.
The information in this book is well organized, easy to read and very informative especially for the novice sword collector. Recently japanese swords have gained enormous popularity as art objects with collectors and enthusiasts around the world, but until now much of the most detailed information on the subject has been available only in japanese. First published in japanese in 1995 as token kantei tokuhon. It illustrates the methods, materials, and tools used for this process, but its true aim is to enable the reader to appreciate the beauty of a wellcrafted japanese sword. Clear explanations and frank opinions enable readers to evaluate the condition of a blade, determine wheth. Richly illustrated throughout with more the 550 of the author s own painstaking oshigata illustrationssword tracings onto which details are penciled in by hand the connoisseur s book of japanese swords is easily the most informative and comprehensive guide to the blades of japanese swords ever to appear in english. An experienced polisher can tell immediately by whom a blade was made, so discintctive is each smiths work and so vital is such knowledge to the skilled polisher. In the past we have often struggled on our own or in small groups to gain an understanding of this peculiarly japanese cultural asset, and with many of the definitive books on the subject still untranslated, a wealth of information has in the past been inaccessible to the nonjapanese reader. Join a club near you, got to museums, go to the shows that are held around the country,etc.
A comprehensive guide to the appreciation and appraisal of the blades of japanese swords provides, at last, all the background that readers need to become true connoisseurs. Revised 1981, hardbound, 9 x 11,1096 pages in english. The wakizashi was one of several short swords available for use by samurai including the yoroi toshi, and the chisakatana. The connoisseurs book of japanese swords general nihonto. These links lead to pages on amazon that provide a small referral fee to unique japan. Usually made of steel that is softer than the rest of the blade. I did see the reference books listed, however, additional books have been published since 2002 as per listed on amazon. This comprehensive guide to the appreciation and appraisal of the blades of japanese swords provides, at last, all the background that readers need to become true connoisseurs. This book is extremely hard to find for a reasonable price. Jim dawson this is the most comprehensive book on japanese swords of the imperial japan era. Recently japanese swords have gained enormous popularity as art objects with collectors and enthusiasts around the world, but until now. A comprehensive introduction to history, collecting and preservation of the japanese sword clive sinclaire 4. Richly illustrated throughout with more than 550 of the authors own painstaking oshigata illustrations sword tracings onto which details are penciled in by handthe connoisseurs book of ja panese swords is easily the most informative and comprehensive guide to the blades of japanese swords ever to appear in english. If you decide that you want more than a piece or two, be prepared to spend lots of money on books you should probably consider purchasing copies of nagayama s the connoisseur s book of japanese swords, hawley s japanese swordsmiths, harry watson s translations of nihon to koza, and fujishiro s nihon toku jiten sooner than later.
Special exhibition view uchigatanakoshirae the beauty of the sword exterior. Bryant s wellknown site on armour history, construction of modern scastyle armour, and japanese clothing. The connoisseurs book of japanese swords by kokan nagayama other tips for learning. Check with your book store or library and books in print for details of publisher, price, etc. Buy connoisseur s book of japanese swords by kokan nagayama isbn. The connoisseurs book of japaneseswords by kokan nagayama other tips for learning.
Richly illustrated throughout with more than 550 of the authors own painstaking oshigata illustrations sword tracings onto which details are penciled in by handthe connoisseur s book of japanese swords is easily the most informative and comprehensive guide to the blades of japanese swords. The connoisseurs book of japanese swords will be of great help in making educated judgments at kantei sessions, and. The connoisseurs book of japanese swords edition 1 by kokan. Japanese swords also includes a companion dvd featuring a beautifullyfilmed documentary that explores the traditional swordmakers craft. Unfollow japanese sword book to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Pdf the connoisseurs book of japanese swords download. The craft of the japanese sword download ebook pdf, epub. Kapp, leon, kapp, hiroko, yoshihara, yoshindo, kishida, tom.
Tons of great books, many of them important references, and more coming in all the time. The sword abolishment edict, haitorei was an edict issued by the meiji government of japan on march 28, 1876 which prohibited people, with the exception of former lords, the military, and law enforcement officials, from carrying weapons in public. History of art yoshitaka amano japanese art modern, japanese. Download pdf the connoisseurs book of japanese swords. Sword polishing supplies from tokyo japanese swords. The connoisseurs book of japanese swords penguin books. Among the five, some regard dojigiri as the yokozuna of all japanese swords. He has been designated a mukansa without supervision polisher, a level above the regular sword polisher ranking system. The samurai sword by john yumoto classic starter book this is the book that started most of us on our journey studying japanese swords. Connoisseurs book of japanese swords by kokan nagayama. Recently japanese swords have gained enormous popularity as art objects with collectors and enthusiasts around the world, but until now much of the most detailed information on the subject has been availability only in japanese. Those marked with a are excellent books for those beginning the study of nihonto. Japanese cultural asset, and with many of the definitive books on the subject still untranslated, a wealth of information has in the past been inaccessible to the non japanese reader. He is a judge of both the sword polishing and swordsmithing competitions of the nihon.
Real japanese swords can vary in price from a few hundred dollars or less for a beat up gunto sword made from bar stock andor oil quenched to somewhere in the 6 figure range or possibly more for a great sword a piece with great historical significance andor was made by a great smith andor has been published in a number of sword books. This comprehensive guide to the appreciation and appraisal of the blades of japanese swords provides, at last, all the background that readers. Katana refers to the family of swords known as nihonto that have a blade length nagasa of more than 2 shaku, approximately 60 cm 24 in. The purpose seems to have been to improve the sword. He has translated for kodansha international the connoisseur s book of japanese swords by kokan nagayama, 1995, and the new generation of japanese swordsmiths by tamio tsuchiko, 2002. Essential books on japanese swords and culture here is a growing list of books on japanese sword and japanese culture that are recommended reads. Features fullscreen sharing embed analytics article stories visual stories seo.
The connoisseur s book of japanese swords by nakayama kokan. A swordsmith can spend much time forging a classic sword, but refining and bringing out its final shape, colour and texture so that all the details of the steel and hamon temper line are clearly visible is the skill of another craftsman. Richly illustrated throughout with more than 550 of the authors own painstaking oshigata illustrationssword tracings onto which details are penciled in by handthe connoisseurs book of japanese swords is easily the most informative and comprehensive guide to the blades of japanese swords ever to appear in english. Sword art online ii, hunter x hunter, fullmetal alchemist. The connoisseur s book of japanese swords will be of great help in making educated judgments at. This is just a new edition of a well known reference book.
Three are national treasures of japan, one an imperial property, and one a holy relic of nichiren buddhism. It is a must have book for collectors of ww2 japanese swords. The book is organized along historical lines for the sake of clarity and convenience. Download the information from the nbthk american branch website at.
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