Hawley book help

[cutlass]

Hello

 

would someone be able to tell me the difference between the various editions of Hawley’s books below

 

1. Japanese Swordsmiths vol 1 and 2 and supplement 

 

2.  Japanese Swordsmiths Revised. 
 

3.  Japanese Swordsmiths Commemerative Centenary Edition. 
 

Are they all the same book and if so which is the most up to date or best one to get. 
 

Thank you

 

Haydn

[16k]

The most up to date is Markus Sesko’s Swordmiths of Japan A-Z.

[Ken-Hawaii]

Welcome to NMB, Haydn. I agree with JP that Markus' book will give you the most up-to-date info. Here's the link: http://www.lulu.com/shop/markus-sesko/e-swordsmiths-of-Japan/ebook/product-22166224.html

[Ganko]

Markus' 3 volume set is done very well and the write ups on the smiths are great, but there are a few smiths omitted.  Yazu Kizu was very thorough in the compilation that he did for Hawley, but there is minimal info on the smiths.

[Gakusee]

Tom C, Hawley’s has errors and likely duplications.  Still a worthwhile text though. Ever since I got Markus’s book I have not opened my revised Hawley’s. 

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Haydn,

To answer your question.  Japanese Swordsmiths in 2 volumes and the thin supplement contains about 12,000 smiths, with name and common signatures in both Japanese and English, province, date, a relative point value, and not much else.  It also includes an index of early Juyo Token results.

Japanese Swordsmiths Revised is hardbound in 1 volume and the same information as the earlier edition (excepting the Juyo results) but for about 32,000 smiths .

The Centennary Edition is the same as Revised but in 2 softbound volumes and some mistakes have been corrected.

You can see what all 3 editions look like by searching for them on my site: japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com

Cheers,  Grey

[cutlass]

Many thanks for all your replies, much appreciated. 
 

Haydn