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Kōkan Nagayama
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The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords Hardcover – January 17, 2017

by Kokan Nagayama (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 102 ratings
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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. 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.

The book is organized along historical lines for the sake of clarity and convenience, and its approach is always practical. Broad discussions of each tradition within the Gokaden focus on the features that distinguish specific schools and smiths—the various kinds of jihada, hamon, boshi, and hataraki favored in different periods and regions—making this an invaluable reference tool for all enthusiasts, especially those who wish to take part in kantei-kai, or sword appreciation meetings. Each section closes with an easy reference chart summarizing the distinctive features of the work of various schools and smiths.

The chapter on terminology gives advice on what to look for when examining the different parts of a blade, again making reference to the unique features of particularly significant smiths. The chapter on care and appraisal of blades tells precisely how to handle blades and what to expect at a sword appraisal meeting, including an explanation of all the various responses that a judge may give in response to a bid.

Richly illustrated throughout with more than 550 of the author's own painstaking oshigata illustrations—sword 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.

Kokan Nagayama, who is widely recognized as one of the foremost living sword polishers, compiled the notes for this book over the course of many years spent teaching the arts of polishing and appraisal.

Nagayama-sensei is widely recognized as one of the foremost living sword polishers and is a veteran teacher of both polishing and appraisal. Here in one accessible volume he distills the store of knowledge he has gained over a lifetime of intensive research.

"Nagayama-sensei and his senior pupils have for many years now taken an enlightened approach to study of Japanese swords outside of Japan. They have been of great assistance to collectors here in Great Britain and in other countries, traveling and living abroad, organizing exhibitions, teaching us and polishing our swords, always in an altruistic spirit. This translation is another example of this same approach. 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 non-Japanese reader. The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords will be of great help in making educated judgments at kantei sessions, and will be an invaluable and constant reference work." — From the Foreword by Clive Sinclaire, Chairman of the Token Society of Great Britain
Previous page
  1. Print length
    376 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Kodansha International
  4. Publication date
    January 17, 2017
  5. Dimensions
    7.82 x 1.13 x 10.39 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1568365810
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1568365817
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Book Description

A comprehensive, authoritative guide to the appreciation and appraisal of Japanese swords

About the Author

KOKAN NAGAYAMA is one of the great contemporary sword polishers. He has been designated a mukansa ("without supervision") polisher, a level above the regular sword-polisher ranking system. He is a judge of both the sword polishing and swordsmithing competitions of the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai or NBTHK (Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords), for which organization he serves as an instructor of sword polishing. In 1967 in Kanagawa Prefecture he founded the Nagayama Kenshujo (Nagayama Japanese Sword-polishing Institute), where he taught the art of polishing to both polishers and smiths for twenty years. He has organized several token-kai (sword study groups) and instructed hundreds of sword enthusiasts.

KENJI MISHINA, the translator, is a sword polisher who served as chief instructor at the Nagayama Kenshujo for seven years beginning in 1979. He has been authorized by the Japanese government to restore swords designated as kokuho (national treasures) and juyo bunkazai (important cultural assets). He has been awarded numerous prizes in the sword polishing competitions of the NBTHK. He lived in England for six years beginning in 1986, where he worked for the British Museum, lectured at the monthly meetings of the Token Society of Great Britain, and received a request from the British royal family to polish its sword collection. He is currently writing a series of articles on the Japanese sword for this site. He is the translator of The New Generation of Japanese Swordsmiths.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kodansha International; 1st edition (January 17, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 376 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1568365810
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1568365817
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.6 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.82 x 1.13 x 10.39 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 102 ratings

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Kōkan Nagayama

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
102 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

D. Fox
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book
Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2009
Verified Purchase
Upon first opening this book and flipping through the pages, I said to myself "Wow, this is a lot of information". From an exhaustive history of the different schools of smiths and their names, to the illustrated pages of different Hamon and Boshi patterns, I feel that this is a most complete workup on the Japanese katana. The information that is in this book is enormous. I knew quite a bit about Japanese swords, but after reading this book, I feel fully equipped to have a conversation with even the most knowledgable. Although I am unable to memorize all of the information in this book, I have found this to be a great reference material that I am constantly using. This is definately a book that should be in your collection if you are involved with katanas on any level and would like to know more.
5 people found this helpful
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Mike Haug Jr
5.0 out of 5 stars I was extremely happy with the price Amazon was able to come up ...
Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2018
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I was extremely happy with the price Amazon was able to come up on this book after years and years of searching for it. To find it at a very reasonable price was very refreshing
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Tony Bubb
5.0 out of 5 stars Connoisseurs book of Japanese Swords
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2012
Verified Purchase
A larger than expected book with loads of detail. This is a reference book so if you are looking for a casual read with all pictures then this is not for you. It has many drawings and sketches to supplement the text. It is very comprehensive with history and sword smiths details over the history of Japan and the key differences between periods, regions and smiths.
It will take some time to read through and absorb the detail. This is a key book if you want early history and different sword smiths in Japan.
2 people found this helpful
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Ted5
5.0 out of 5 stars This is book is really good if you are into sword collecting or making them
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2018
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This is book is really good if you are into sword collecting or making them. There are a lot of sword styles, shapes, variuos eras and their style properties in different areas, certain school and their properties, hamon and steel folding pattern types and their names. Note that in this book you wont get exact photos for referrence but you will learn a a lot about swords and understand them better.
One person found this helpful
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Santiago B. Tejada
5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Guide to the Japanese Swords
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2021
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One of the best reference books for the assessment of Japanese Swords. Period.
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Lev Gonzales Hudson
5.0 out of 5 stars The Beginner's Bible for Nihonto Enthusiasts
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2019
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The books is very detailed, descriptive and for any beginner, a must! There may not be any/many pictures, but what it provides is a good basis on kantei. A must have!
One person found this helpful
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outofcontrol2
4.0 out of 5 stars A basic reference
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2013
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A good general reference on swords, but, as with all such books, does not cover everything -- an impossible task, as the subject is so complicated. A fine basic reference for beginners and moderately experienced collectors.
2 people found this helpful
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Amazon Kunde
5.0 out of 5 stars THE ultimate guide
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2021
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No one interested in Japanese swords can do without it.
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Top reviews from other countries

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guyonnet
5.0 out of 5 stars Un grand classique
Reviewed in France on April 26, 2019
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le livre a avoir dans sa bibliothèque pour les amateurs voir plus des sabres japonais
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M. G. Mioc
5.0 out of 5 stars The reference by which all other books are judged
Reviewed in Germany on February 23, 2017
Verified Purchase
This is just a new edition of a well known reference book. Among the many books concerning the Japanese swords Nagayama's book holds arguably the top position, being the reference based on what all the other books are judged. This edition is faithful to the original one and it is definitely a must have for every serious Japanese swords enthusiast. Opposed to some other oppinions, I consider this book equally suitable for the beginner as it is well and clearly written, thus accessible to all who want to elevate their knowledge about the Japanese swords.
One person found this helpful
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Niblick
5.0 out of 5 stars Great buy.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 5, 2016
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The book was well received as a present for our Professor. The book was also delivered as promised, on time and in the condition promised. Great buy.
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dominique
4.0 out of 5 stars complexe
Reviewed in France on August 16, 2017
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Dans un domaine complexe, un ouvrage de qualité pour compléter le puzzle ; sa sobriété le rend toutefois un peu indigeste ...
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15 Watt Atomic Tricycle
5.0 out of 5 stars Japanese Swords
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 24, 2012
Verified Purchase
A great book. Very informative and technical, clearly explained with good illustrations.
Don't buy a sword without first reading this.
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