For anyone who is interested in really learning about samurai armor I want to let you know about a new book, I know that several forum members have already purchased copies but for those that have not heard about this new book and are interested in the subject of samurai armor here is my review, anyone here who has read the book feel free to comment.
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"The Watanabe Art Museum Samurai Armour Collection (Kabuto & Mengu, Volume I)" by Trevor Absolon
Trevor Absolon, the owner of toraba.com has released the first in a series of books, this one concentrates on helmets (kabuto) and facial armor (mengu).
Trevor has owned and sold more armor then anyone I know of and he has taken detailed pictures and notes on each piece.
Trevor had to unique opportunity to go through the Watanabe samurai armor collection in Japan and take photographs of the helmets and facial armor that he felt represented the best of the various different types and styles of these armors in the collection, many of which have never been published before.
Trevor goes into details such as the materials and construction methods, how to spot repairs and restorations, the names of each part that makes up these armors. This book is so incredibly detailed that reading it is like taking a mini course in samurai armor. I can not come close to accurately describing how informative this book really is but I wish I had been able to read it before I purchased any samurai armor as it would have saves me from making a lot of mistakes ($$$$$$$
).
The book has forewords by two of the worlds foremost experts on samurai armor (Ian Bottomley and Anthony Bryant) and the pictures are as good as it gets. Put this on your list of must have books, you will not regret it. I can name very few authors whose books in English will really help someone gain a considerable amount of knowledge on the subject, Bottomley, Turnbull, Bryant, Robinson, Sinclaire but until now no one that I know of has been able to write in detail exclusively about just samurai armor and specifically just one aspect of it as in the head gear worn by the samurai. This gives the reader a much needed detailed illustrated manual with a glossary of terms that you will be able to go back and refer to when looking at various samurai helmets and face masks for purchase or just for learning.
I had a chance to see two lectures on samurai armor by
Trevor at the "Return of the Samurai" exhibit in Canada last year and I got a chance to talk to him for several hours and I can assure everyone that
Trevor is extremely knowledgeable and passionate on the subject of samurai armor and he wants to pass on to other people what has taken him years to learn and with this book
Trevor has created a new avenue to help other people gain a deeper understanding of this complex subject. You can read some selected passages on google.
http://books.google.com/books?id=8APyY3 ... e&q&f=true
