Just got my first books and ready to study! Is this a good start?

[Davo]

Are these enough to get started and if so what order should I read them?  Oops I forgot the picture…here it is 

Thanks!!!!

[Rawa]

Definitely Nagayama. Go for Nakahara too

https://archive.org/details/factsfundamental0000naka

Then depends what period you will like most.

M. Sesko also have many publications.

[Rayhan]

This is a great start! 

 

I think you should hold off on Nakahara till much later, a lot of his topics are a little controversial and you will need a strong foundation to get into his work objectively. 

I would now go for Markus work after finishing these books and his site is also very informative. https://markussesko.com/ and his Kantei series is also a very good foundation https://markussesko.com/kantei/

[Lewis B]

Tanobe sensei Yamatoden book, translated by Markus S should be another essential read. Good bonus section on Saiha. There is also a Bizenden book, but the English version has yet to be published.

 

First read Nagayama.

[Grey Doffin]

Hi David,

The Art of the Japanese Sword covers everything in The Craft of the Japanese Sword in greater detail and with better illustrations. Read The Art and don't bother with The Craft.

Welcome, Grey

[Rayhan]

This is great advice but I would still do:

 

- The Art of the Japanese Sword 

- The Craft of the Japanese Sword 

- The Connoisseurs Book of the Japanese Sword 

 

In that order 

 

Fyi Grey Doffin is your guy for books after this period more advanced so get through Markus books too.

 

[Peter Bleed]

David, 

Yes, yes, all those books will be useful. But, I urge you to meet and get to know sword people. Texas is full of them. Find them. Introduce yourself, see their swords. This will - ideally - let you see swords  and give substance of the stuff you will now be reading about. Find other collectors. Ask questions. Discover where/how they got their swords. Look at swords. Make friends, Ask questions. 

Peter

[Mark S.]

Several great FREE downloads right here at NMB in, interestingly enough, the Download Section.  Highly recommend the Nihonto Compendium by Sesko.  COMPLETELY FREE.  If you purchase a few of the on-line resources, I highly recommend Sesko’s A-Z Japanese Swordsmiths, and later the Koto, Shinto & Shin-Shinto Meikan’s for an excellent mei reference. He usually has a few sales throughout the year (around the holidays usually) and many of his references can be had at substantial discounts.  I like having those on both my phone and computer.  

[Davo]

37 minutes ago, Peter Bleed said:

David, 

Yes, yes, all those books will be useful. But, I urge you to meet and get to know sword people. Texas is full of them. Find them. Introduce yourself, see their swords. This will - ideally - let you see swords  and give substance of the stuff you will now be reading about. Find other collectors. Ask questions. Discover where/how they got their swords. Look at swords. Make friends, Ask questions. 

Peter

I have tried to search and am having a hard time finding anyone. Although I’m not an electronic/social media/computer person.  Maybe there are people here but I am not even good at navigating this site. I’m not sure what to do. 

[klee]

The Connoisseurs Book of the Japanese Sword

 

Amazing book that I keep going back to all the time for reference. It s a great read but you ll never absorb all of it. 

 

It s a great book to use for reference when you find a blade from a particular school / smith and want more info

[Davo]

1 hour ago, Grey Doffin said:

Hi David,

The Art of the Japanese Sword covers everything in The Craft of the Japanese Sword in greater detail and with better illustrations. Read The Art and don't bother with The Craft.

Welcome, Grey

Ah thanks. I can return that one to Amazon. 

[Rayhan]

36 minutes ago, Davo said:

Ah thanks. I can return that one to Amazon. 

Hmmm ok

[Davo]

29 minutes ago, Rayhan said:

Hmmm ok

Oh I thought you were saying don’t bother with the craft. Ok I will read it also.  Oh maybe that was Grey that said that. Sorry I think I replied to wrong person 

[The Forest Ninja]

I got Art of the Japanese Sword in both hardcover and pdf version.

I only have the pdf version of The Craft of the Japanese Sword and

some information in either book isn't present in the other so I'll get

the hardcover version of The Craft of the Japanese Sword someday

cause pdf files are not convenients at times.

[reinhard]

"The Craft of the Japanese Sword" is an excellent book helping to understand the technical aspects of forging a proper Nihon-To.

It helps understanding the difference between a mere tool and an object of beauty within objective parameters not easy to comprehend for an outsider.

A most common misunderstanding still; especially here on this board, where the fruitless discussions about art and the qualities of Nihon-To never end.

 

reinhard

 

 

 

 

 

[Scogg]

The art of the Japanese sword is really good and approachable. I had Craft for a long time, but got Art later, and what Grey says rings true. It’s the most “page turner” of them all, and I think it would be a great foundation before you dive into connoisseurs. Connoisseurs is a little more textbooky, but it will be a perpetual reference and guide as you’re learning.

Beware, that getting a firm grasp on the vocabulary takes some time on its own. Do not be discouraged, if at first, it’s hard to get through paragraphs without double checking on definitions. I struggled with that for a long time before things began to click, but I’m also not the sharpest tool in the shed 

 

Best of luck!
-Sam  
 

 

[Davo]

1 hour ago, Scogg said:

The art of the Japanese sword is really good and approachable. I had Craft for a long time, but got Art later, and what Grey says rings true. It’s the most “page turner” of them all, and I think it would be a great foundation before you dive into connoisseurs. Connoisseurs is a little more textbooky, but it will be a perpetual reference and guide as you’re learning.

Beware, that getting a firm grasp on the vocabulary takes some time on its own. Do not be discouraged, if at first, it’s hard to get through paragraphs without double checking on definitions. I struggled with that for a long time before things began to click, but I’m also not the sharpest tool in the shed 

 

Best of luck!
-Sam  
 

 

Thank you!  Oh I had a question because I cannot find anyone here in Texas (Dallas Fort Worth) to talk to or find any groups or shows or stores etc. I have searched and two weeks ago I emailed Txtokenkai and no reply. Do you have any suggestions?  I am not an internet social media familiar person so I may not be the best at searching.  

[Scogg]

Unfortunately I don’t know anyone in Texas. I’ve heard they have many Nihonto collectors, and I’m sure some are in this forum. I saw some old posts in the events section, but I’m not familiar with the users who posted there.
 

I’d give the token kai more time to respond, but also I’d look into local militaria shows. Maybe you can network face-to-face with someone who has a table, and see if there’s any Nihonto stuff locally. 
 

Looks like there’s something called “Dallas arms collectors association, inc” that has a show in October. Maybe they could point you in the right direction. 
 

Best of luck, 

-Sam 

[Toryu2020]

There is a nascent group in San Antonio - if interested send me a PM and I will put you in touch.

 

-t

[Lareon]

As a beginners book i also recommend 

Alfred Dobree - Japanese Sword Blades

It's a really small book and i ended up buying a couple of copies of it and carrying one around with me to study the kanji etc in it.

The book(s) i regret buying the most was probably Hawley - Japanese Swordsmiths