Review of the Book: Japanese Swords Sōshū Masterpieces

[MassiveMoonHeh]

So a couple of weeks ago I purchased the book "Japanese Swords Sōshū Masterpieces" by Dmitry Pechalov from the Soshu-Den Museum.

 

It has been around for a little while (since 2019) so I guess this is a post-post-post release review of the book.

 

Let me just start off by saying... WOW!!!

 

This is how a Sword book should be presented!

 

The book is NOT small - in fact at 40.5cm x 30cm (16"x11.8") it is actually rather big, but let me be the first to say it - when it comes to Nihonto photography... BIG IS BEAUTIFUL!  

 

And whilst the pictures are exactly what you want in a sword photo; Massive Hasselblad super high definition images in all their glory, this is not a coffee table book. This book is serious, showing years of research and dedication to the cause, I promise you will learn a lot more than you already know and it will probably answer a lot of your questions or concerns that you had.

 

Everyone in the Nihonto space knows, the Soshu-Den is the cream of the crop, their swords are beautiful, they are rare and generally very, very expensive - especially for the unfathomable heights of Tokubetsu Juyo and above. As such these blades are super hard to get a proper look at in person and in fact in most cases you never will.

 

This book however gives you an insider's view of some of the best of Soshu-Den blades ever made. Every Master and sword has a significant write up that gives me massive Darcy Brockbank'esq vibes in it's detail; from the story of the Master, to the story of the blade and it's associated provenance (Not surprising really as Darcy helped and worked with Dmitry on the book for over 5 years - he even wrote the forward. Mark Sesko was also engaged for his expertise - so this book was put together by a stellar cast of Nihonto specialists.)

 

Before I continue, let's be very clear, whilst this book is a book about the Soshu-Den, the stars of the show are the 20 swords that come from one very special private collection - and for this all I can say is... thank you. This is like being invited to a very detailed, all access private tour of an exclusive private sword club - the kind you did not know existed but when you do, you become desperate to somehow get in. To be able to see Soshu Master Blades including several at Tokubetsu Juyo in all their Massive High Definition Glory (yes these words are all capitalised) is just special. No, I will say this book is extra-ordinary.

 

I am a massive advocate for the creation of Catalogue Raisonné for each Great Nihonto Master. But let's be clear - if/when this happens then this book is the benchmark that these catalogues will need to meet. This is how the photos will need to be presented, this is how the stories will need to be told. For the art form that is Nihonto and it's associated crafts there is just no other way around it, if we are to truly appreciate what has been created by these Great Smiths. Because let's be honest for us mere mortals this will be the closest we will ever get to one of these Japanese Treasures. So we might as well be allowed to indulge vicariously through the photographs of these beautiful slithers of steel.

 

So I am going to say it - this is a book that you absolutely have to own as a sword collector. It is not cheap but it is so, so worth every penny you spend on it. It should also be noted that after six year this book is not available second hand and this in itself speaks volumes about this book. Once you own it you don't want to give it away or sell it. It will almost immediately become a treasure that takes pride of place in your collection.

 

Mark my words here - a standard has been set here and this is the standard we will judge all future Nihonto books by. As such it is a very important book for Nihonto and therefore in my opinion it is an instant classic.

 

I will read it often and cherish it but I may have to get some white gloves as I genuinely want to look after and preserve this copy of the book as best as I can.

 

Due to it being a watershed book, and that it was so beautifully put together, I suspect it will soon enough become a collectors item as soon as it sells out. I believe @Brian said the same thing about it in his review 6/7 years ago (that one was for the Gen Zs.) In all honesty I am not sure how many Dmitry has left and I do not know if he will ever reprint this book, so... If you don't already own one - grab a copy today before you miss out - I promise you will not be sorry. I purchased mine through @Grey Doffin at Japanese Swords, Books and Tsuba but please note that the books are all shipped by Dmitry who is based in Europe and as such there will be an extra shipping fee.

 

You can find out more about the book here: https://www.nihonto-museum.com/book

 

Please Note: I am not paid by Dmitry or Grey and I have no affiliation with Dmitry or Grey other than I just bought the book through/ from them. Neither of them were aware of this review before I published it (I do not even know Dmitry's profile name on this site.) As such this is my own opinion and I do not benefit from this opinion other than the hope I can help get some good stuff get into hands of the real enthusiasts.

 

As such I hope this review helps.

 

Cheers.

Edited February 5 by MassiveMoonHeh

[eternal_newbie]

It is indeed the high-water mark for Soshu blades, and perhaps Nihonto in general, outside Japan. Only Dr. Honma's Soshu-den Meisaku Shu exceeds it, and to my knowledge there is no translation of it available other than my very basic English index. In fact, several of the sources cited in Soshu Masterpieces are the same ones that Dr. Honma pulls from in his book, and while the photographs in the Meisaku Shu are larger, I believe the photography in Mr. Pechalov's book is of a better quality and shows the blades in more detail and varied angles than Dr. Honma's more typical museum catalog style. I fervently hope that more catalogs of important nihonto take some cues from this work and the various photography we see online from other enthusiasts.

 

I also own a copy and naturally, it comes highly recommended from me as well. Mr. Pechalov is also generous enough to have published most of the material and photography (albeit at a somewhat lower resolution to make it faster to navigate through) on his website (https://www.nihonto-museum.com/) for those who are unable to find, or afford, a copy of this most excellent publication.

[Brian]

Can't disagree with anything Brett said. It is truly an astonishing book and one of the best I have ever seen.

[ROKUJURO]

I could not find a price for it. Hopefully it is not a kidney?

[Schneeds]

I display the book as a part of my collection.  Even people who don't care about swords are able to appreciate it for the level of quality.  

[Lewis B]

2 hours ago, ROKUJURO said:

I could not find a price for it. Hopefully it is not a kidney?

$350 plus shipping

[ROKUJURO]

Thank you Lewis!

still a small kidney for me at the moment! 

[Lewis B]

I've had a WTB listing up forever and only received one offer. It was so close to retail I balked. Looks like I'll have to stump up for a new copy. The more I see the quality of the images the more I think its worth the investment. 

 

Also looking for Dr. Honma's Soshu-den Meisaku Shu 

 

These will be last big reference purchases I think I want in my little library ....... at least for Soshuden

 

As Hoshi said we should be investing more in experiences and less in collecting. These books are the perfect example of the former.

[Lukrez]

This work reflects more than 20 years of dedicated effort and expertise, and it unquestionably deserves recognition and appreciation. The depth of knowledge, skill, and care that went into it is clearly evident. Dmitry Pechaelov is open and friendly in communication, approachable, and a pleasure to interact with.

Shipping within Europe is 20 EUR.

Edited February 7 by Lukrez