I just received this email and I thought I would pass it on, if you have any interest in samurai armor and its history you absolutely have to purchase copies of these books while they are available. Trevor has what is probably the most detailed collection of high quality photographs of samurai armor in the world taken from the thousands of items he has sold over the years. These books are not just coffee table books as Trevor has a unique knowledge of samurai armor gleaned through years of study and sales of armor. Without having read either book yet I can say that you will not regret this purchase.


Pre-orders Are Now Being Accepted for

TWO NEW BOOKS BY TREVOR ABSOLON

Shipping begins December 20th!
ORDER NOW AND SAVE!!!

"Once again, Trevor Absolon has come up with a book that is a must for any serious student or collector of Japanese armour. His understanding of the subject is clear, and he presents it in a plain, no-nonsense approach that is sure to please. Take advantage of his expertise, born of years as a collector and dealer. Few have had the access to armour such as those Absolon so openly presents in incredible, loving detail, so this is an opportunity that should not be missed. As the author of several books about the samurai, I can honestly say that this is a book I wish I had written."

Anthony J. Bryant, Author/Historian

Toraba Collection - Gusoku Series, Volume I: A Detailed Study of Tokugawa Clan & Bakufu Daimyō Samurai Armour Sets. 112 pages.

Toraba Collection - Gusoku Series, Volume II: A Detailed Study of Daimyō & Senior-Grade Samurai Armour Sets. 97 pages.
These new limited edition books are priced at $60.00 each, but are available for reduced pre-order price of $50.00 each if you reserve your copies before December 16th.
You can also save up to 40% on shipping if you wish to delay delivery on "Gusoku Series, Volume I", and combined delivery with "Volume II", which will be released on January 23rd, 2012.
These discounted prices are only available until December 19th. Shipping on "Gusoku Series, Volume I", will begin December 20th for those who wish to enjoy this great new book over the Holidays.
If you enjoyed my previous book, then these new titles will knock your socks off! See for yourself and order now as the numbers are limited!
Below are some examples of the various page spreads in Volume I.

You can enjoy a detailed preview of "Gusoku Series, Volume I" online by visiting these links.
The last link in this block shows the second armour discussed in this title.












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You can also enjoy a sneak preview of "Gusoku Series, Volume II" by visiting these links. Three unique armours are reviewed in this text.

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Pre-order payments can be made online via Paypal.
sales@toraba.com for Toraba Samurai Arts at http://www.toraba.com
For a single copy of Gusoku Series Volume I or II send $50 USD. Be sure to stipulate which title you want.
For a copy of both Gusoku Series Volume I & 2 send $100 USD.
For multiple copies of each title add $50 per book ordered, being sure to note how many copies of each title you are requesting be reserved for you. *Limit of 3 copies of each title per-person.
Be sure to note that shipping options and rates will be provided to customers who make pre-orders at a latter date, prior to your order being shipped. Pre-order prices are for the books only. A separate invoice for shipping costs will be sent to customers who make pre-orders when their order is ready to be shipped, with a choice of shipping options and costs being offered for the customer to choose from. Once the desired method of shipping has been selected, a bill for the postage will be sent to the customer via Paypal. When the postage has been paid your order will be finalized and shipped.
Keep in mind folks. These are just the first two volumes in a planned series that will ultimately comprise over 30 titles! Wait and see! But don't wait too long! Because if you miss these first two you'll regret it when you can't complete the series later on down the road!
TORABA
Japanese Samurai Armours

Hi Eric,
I wonder where the second Watanabe volume remains
Uwe

PS: Again great books for the "katchu-bunnys", I`ll order this week

Uwe, I ordered 2 of each myself, I am a little surprised at the lack of response for what will certainly be one of a kind books, as for the Watanabe #2, I have heard nothing yet but remain hopeful.

I ordered my set the day word was out. Can't wait!

Hey folks, wondering if anyone has received their books, or heard from Trevor recently?

Seems the toraba site is down, and I have received no replies to several emails I sent to Trevor's Toraba based email (the only one I have) over the last month.

The last update I received was on March 19th with an offer to either keep waiting, or get my money back. At the time I opted to wait. But later, once communications ceased and the forum at toraba was closed down, I decided to ask for my money back.

Given no response I filed a dispute with paypal. They, in typically useless fashion, closed it summarily without bothering to tell me, because the purchase was over 45 days old. They have since agreed to reopen as I have been with PP for 10 years, and because it was a pre-order.

Its only a 100 bucks, but I don't like feeling ripped off, and find the lack of communications to explain the situation hard to excuse.

Anyone else?

I too have not received either, and a few Weeks ago he was replying to email, then nothing.

Maybe soon, I hold hope, it is not like Trevor to do this, so I assume something is up.

Jg

Hello!

On the 6:th of june I got this reply;

I will post you book in two weeks time.
Book two has been canceled.
Though complete it is just not worth the hassle I've had to go through to get it published. Poor sales on my other titles helped me make finalize this decision.
I'll use the difference for your postage and send the rest back via Paypal.
Thank you,
Trevor

So I'm pretty sure he will fulfill these obligations. It's a pity though since his books are so helpful and pedagogic to beginners. I hope things will change and his project one day will continue. the first Watanabe book was so great.
it's also a tragedy that his forum is closed down, the info chared there was valuable, but maybe there is a connection between the low traffic on that forum and the poor sale of the books, the katchu scene is to small outside Japan?

Regards,

Anthony de Vos

It would be a pity to lose a great forum such as Toraba had. If anyone knows him personally and is in contact with Trevor, I would happily consider setting up an armor section here that he can be moderator of, and run with the existing NMB membership. Might be beneficial and would create a good avenue to promote the books too. We have some experts here too such as Ian that I am sure would assist and be of tremendous help.
Just a thought...

Brian

Hello!

Brian, that was a nice offer, and a wonderful one as such. Even though this is a nihonto forum, it would be great if it could house a small corner for us, also loving the katchu, (just bought my sixth karuta tatami dou, i'm addicted to them just as my daughters are to handbags). And with the assebled knowledge from such authorities as Ian and Trevor, that would be a dream....

Regards,

Anthony de Vos MD

I have emailed Trevor and informed him of your offer Brian.

[update] [Old email address bounced, contacted him through the site itself]

KM

Update: Within minutes of my posting, and I assume because paypal actually opened a dispute this time, I was contacted by Trevor.

He offered to refund, or ship V1 and use the difference to cover shipping. I was happy to take the second offer, and based on updates to the thread appears there is no V2, so no point in any continued wait. Glad I closed the loop, but sorry it took a paypal dispute to get some traction. I assume the lack of communications to be an unfortunate side effect of the changes at toraba.

I too would welcome a katchu sub-forum and hope the best for Trevor and his current endeavors.

Best regards and looking forward to the book.

Cheers

I received 2 copies of #1 book and no contact since then, Trevor was very disappointed with the response to his first book and understandably so, I encouraged him to do his second and third books as ebooks as this is a very cost effective way of getting a book out in todays market but unfortunately that did not happen. If his third book does not get published ever it will be a huge loss to anyone who is really interested in the learning about subject of samurai armor.

the katchu world is quite small. Jo Anseeuw, Teruo Orikasa and I also published a book (with succes) and translated another one on modern armor, but, if one think he can make money with it, he's making a terrible mistake.
The only reason why we made the Saotome book was to spread the knowledge of Teruo Orikasa , and to show 38 interesting Saotome kabuto from different angles with Jo's splendid pictures. However it only costs me money, we are playing with the idea of publishing a second book.
Passion is what drives us...

I too would like to see a Katchu section opened on this forum. best we all stick together.

I to would appreciate an armor section. With Ian, Piers, Eric, Sinclair, etc., we have a great amount of knowledge to support this.