Book review -facts and fundamentals Nakahara and Paul martin

[Paz]

So I managed to get this book even though I paid a fortune. 

 

But this is a book which I wish was my second or third. I'd say this is the top 3 essential books.

Ranking with 

Conissour of the Japanese sword 

The art of the Japanese sword by Leon kapp. 

 

His opinions are controversial but so down to earth and realistic. 

 

What I enjoy is how he laments on buying the blade ahead of papers, and knowing the blade rather than facts around it. Which also influenced my recent purchase. 

 

Also not buying signatures or papers. But a sword instead, by knowing and studying it.

 

His opinions on mei are not too extreme, they make sense.  But I was astounded to know that forging signatures was something the Honami family passed if they needed to, and why mumei blades were left without a mei. 

 

However I disagree on the points about the type of sword to buy. It seems almost as if he believes the reader is a retired millionaire or somebody with money coming out of there ears. 

Some of the best swords are not available to good majority of people. And alot of people to stick to a hobby need a sword in hand or pay to attend a show, to keep them with the hobby. I would love to know someone who hasn't brought a sword, and doesant plan to. But reads all about them. 

 

The market has changed from what I can tell. And I totally agree with Paul Martins comments on trying to give this book a more mainstream opinion. 

 

I was amused at the part where he mentions toshogi competitions destroying blades. And how one of his freinds managed to get a sword papered a year after it was rejected. 

 

I beleive he's telling the truth in regards to papers, and opinions of shinsa. But from a beginner perspective, we have no choice but to trust judgement of the judgment of NBTHK. 

 

Overall. This book is mandatory and commands the price it does. Should even be the first purchase. 

 

Regards 

Paz

 

 

 

[Gakusee]

Not a first purchase. 
The book needs to be read in context and somewhat advanced understanding of other views. There are great nuggets of knowledge there but there are also controversial opinions.  

[Nihontocollector752]

Definately not a first purchase 

[swordnoob]

What would you consider as per-requisite reading? Yumoto's The Samurai Sword and Nagayama's Connoisseur's?

[Paz]

28 minutes ago, swordnoob said:

What would you consider as per-requisite reading? Yumoto's The Samurai Sword and Nagayama's Connoisseur's?

I'd say both if you can. 

 

I haven't read yumotos book. But from what I can see it will give you the background and detailed information you need. 

 

Nagayamas book is fantastic. Try and get hold of it. But majority of the book is about the various schools and dens in each period. Vital information. 

 

I know some will disagree with me about facts and fundamentals as a first. But I found it very useful. He his controversial. 

 

There's a video by Paul martin channel on YouTube with reccomended books. 

 

Regards

[Rivkin]

Avoid both the book and the author.

 

He has a system which emphasizes catching features which he believes to be 100% proof evidence that the blade is problematic. 

A skilled adept of his circle always behaves like this: takes a blade, looks at it long and hard (high angle take from nakago), then starts to frown and puff. "Hm.... gm.... ghrm.... I am sorry to say but this blade is.... I think it has... KABAKURI!".

You are supposed to ask what kabakuri is, and be educated that when nioi-guchi does not reflect the moon as a whole, but the reflection is "rippled", it is indeed kabakuri.  Meaning the signature is gimei.

 

If one wants to have enjoyable moment - let him handle a tokuju. You'll learn what a piece of trash it is.

[Gakusee]

34 minutes ago, Rivkin said:

Avoid both the book and the author.

 

He has a system which emphasizes catching features which he believes to be 100% proof evidence that the blade is problematic. 

A skilled adept of his circle always behaves like this: takes a blade, looks at it long and hard (high angle take from nakago), then starts to frown and puff. "Hm.... gm.... ghrm.... I am sorry to say but this blade is.... I think it has... KABAKURI!".

You are supposed to ask what kabakuri is, and be educated that when nioi-guchi does not reflect the moon as a whole, but the reflection is "rippled", it is indeed kabakuri.  Meaning the signature is gimei.

 

If one wants to have enjoyable moment - let him handle a tokuju. You'll learn what a piece of trash it is.

Kiril, have you witnessed this first-hand? I know N Nakahara has done “educational” seminars in Europe but has he done these in the US? What were they like? 
Thanks. 
 

For information purposes, NN has a blog (in Japanese) in which he regularly postulates his views and some of the entries are quite interesting. 

[Rivkin]

Yes, but in Japan. He also has quite a few students-followers.

Astute observations, but unclear why "if you see X" "its certainly Y" and not truly oriented towards understanding genealogies etc.

 

[Gakusee]

9 hours ago, Rivkin said:

Yes, but in Japan. He also has quite a few students-followers.

Astute observations, but unclear why "if you see X" "its certainly Y" and not truly oriented towards understanding genealogies etc.

 

I have not attended any of his seminars but have heard accounts of them.....

[Paz]

10 hours ago, Rivkin said:

Avoid both the book and the author.

 

He has a system which emphasizes catching features which he believes to be 100% proof evidence that the blade is problematic. 

A skilled adept of his circle always behaves like this: takes a blade, looks at it long and hard (high angle take from nakago), then starts to frown and puff. "Hm.... gm.... ghrm.... I am sorry to say but this blade is.... I think it has... KABAKURI!".

You are supposed to ask what kabakuri is, and be educated that when nioi-guchi does not reflect the moon as a whole, but the reflection is "rippled", it is indeed kabakuri.  Meaning the signature is gimei.

 

If one wants to have enjoyable moment - let him handle a tokuju. You'll learn what a piece of trash it is.

 

 

Oh. Wow. Didn't know this. 

 

I thought I heard I elitism in the book

[Rivkin]

I am just being .... as always.

 

His system postulates that dozens of features related to sugata, nioiguchi, utsuri, nakago can only be the result of specific causes like polishing tricks, suriage, attempts to hide damage etc. etc.

People who join the system are really into it, because they need to learn these 20-30 features and then can judge any sword and be very categorical about it like "It can be only early Soshu" or "it is definitely shinshinto".

The problem is there are plenty of ubu signed tokuju that have features they supposedly physically can't and you have to declare all of them gimei.

 

[Paz]

I know he's not fond of some the polishing. And I didn't agree with him about his rejection of mumei blades. Fact is plenty of Japanese swords are gimei, and we're rightfully so. When you have less land, and swords are the compensation. Value would be crazy. 

 

 

[IBot]

I have the book and regard it as raising questions that require thought. Some of it I agree with, other parts I hold judgment.  Might I mention a book I was kindly sent a year or so ago by Sergio Magotti - 'Nipponto    The soul of the samurai.'   ISBN 88-902347-2-5.  A lot of the fabulous items llustrated are from the Museo Orientale in Venice and the basics well explained and illustrated. 

Ian Bottomley

[Paz]

Il take a look at that once I'm finished with art of the samurai - the new york exhibition book. What a book this is. You could probably display this one .

[Lee997]

I don’t yet own a genuine sword hence my reasons for studying. I am currently reading facts and fundamentals which I recently picked up in a 5 book collection from a military dealer at a very reasonable price certainly less than I’ve seen this book alone selling for, the set also included the Connoisseurs book.