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Books that you would recommend on collecting Tsuba's


Dino

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Dino,

2 obvious choices are Sukashi Tsuba: Early Japanese Sword Guards, by Sasano, and Sasano: Japanese Sword Guards Masterpieces from the Sasano Collection, by Sasano. The 1st is out of print but found occasionally (I just sold a copy) and the 2nd is available (I believe) from Robert Benson in Hawaii. Check on his webpage found in the links on NMB homepage.

Grey

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Dino,

 

there is :

 

"Tsuba, An Aesthetic Study", by Kazutaro Torigoye and Robert Haynes, from the "Tsuba Geijutsu-Ko" of Kazutaro Torigoye, 300 pp. $25 domestic, and $35 international, includes shipping."

 

Follow this link :

 

http://www.ncjsc.org/

 

http://www.satcho.com/ see Tosogu section

 

Haynes'auction catalogues are fine

Nihon TÔ Koza vol VI on kodogu is fine

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Although I don't have it yet myself, one that was hightly recommended to me by a tsuba collector and specialist is The Baur Collection, Japanese Sword-Fittings & Associated Metalwork by BW Robinson.

Does anyone else have comments on this book and is it worth getting?

 

Brian

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Dino,

 

There have been some very good suggestions here (thank you Jean for the referral).

 

In my opinion the best books are very satisfying and the specific titles will be different for different readers. It all depends on what the reader is out to accomplish. Many books in this field may be defined as survey or reference texts. A beautiful "coffee table" book can be a general survey that inspires a reader to learn more, or a detailed study of a specific school and in that regard is a reference text.

 

The Sasano books mentioned focus on iron sukashi, while the Baur book is an excellent survey of soft metal works. Both are great books depending on what you want to learn more about. Knowing that you enjoyed Lethal Elegance, what specifically caught your interest? The answer to that can be a good predictor of satisfaction in your next selection.

 

Enjoy your studies.

 

Michael Harris

http://satcho.com

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John, Jean,

 

Thank you both for the welcome.

 

I was warned by Harry Watson that studying fittings is like swords - only harder. My interest in tosogu was sparked by the very generous members of the NY and Northern California clubs through which I came to see exemplary works. Then flipping through books I repeatedly found myself drawn to some of the same schools: Akasaka, Owari, and Kyo-sukashi. I can say given a small collection of Akasaka "wannabes" (read, need more study) that it can be hard as Harry said, but it can also be very satisfying.

 

As I know you are both diligent in your studies, for the benefit of those new to tosogu what are your specific interests and what references have you found most useful (and why)?

 

 

Michael

http://satcho.com

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Well, Being interested in blades before fittings I am partial to iron tsuba, but lately am really appreciating some suaka fittings I have acquired. I like kinko but the lustre is dimming. My best all round reference is Tsuba Kanshoki but when you focus on a specific type or group you never have enough. Of course any good index is the most go to reference and totally invaluable. I sometimes wonder if I am a collector of arms or a book collector. :lol: :dunno: John

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Well, Being interested in blades before fittings I am partial to iron tsuba, but lately am really appreciating some suaka fittings I have acquired. I like kinko but the lustre is dimming. My best all round reference is Tsuba Kanshoki but when you focus on a specific type or group you never have enough. Of course any good index is the most go to reference and totally invaluable. I sometimes wonder if I am a collector of arms or a book collector. :lol: :dunno: John

 

It's good to know what you are looking at.

 

Good books should aid in your enjoyment of the swords and tsuba.

 

Thanks.

 

 

Michael

http://satcho.com

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