The Book of Books

[Lukrez]

In the forum, it has often been asked which books are truly suitable as introductory reading.

 

One of the books that is surprisingly rarely mentioned is the masterpiece by Dmitry Pechalov: Japanese Swords: Sōshū‑den Masterpieces.

Brett and others have already written very good reviews about it, and I have now worked through the book from cover to cover. It is so good that it inspired me to write about it myself.

Many of us know the saying, “It is better to buy one great sword than a thousand junk swords.” I would like to add that the same maxim certainly applies to books.

For that very reason, I want to praise Japanese Swords: Sōshū‑den Masterpieces — a book I now wish had been my introductory reading.

When this work is mentioned, it is usually because of its extraordinary photography. These images are without doubt impressive – but the real substance of the book lies in its content.
In terms of content, it differs significantly from classic reference works, which are indispensable when it comes to terminology and the classification of the various schools of Nihontō, but ultimately answer a different kind of question. D. Pechalov, by contrast, brings insight in a light, accessible way — showing not just what you need to know, but especially how that knowledge was generated and how to develop your own opinions and understanding.

Individual observations that would otherwise be collected slowly and fragmentarily are brought together here generously and almost playfully into a comprehensive picture. This is precisely what is missing in many other works that remain confined to dry lists or rigid structures.

The book makes no secret of the fact that even intensive source work does not guarantee absolute clarity. Attributions change, assessments evolve – and this is not presented as a weakness, but as an integral part of deeper understanding. You are guided to place expert opinions in context, rather than adopt them uncritically. You begin to understand why perspectives shift – for instance, when a blade’s attribution has changed over time.
It conveys how swordsmithing traditions developed, how knowledge was passed down, which signatures carry meaning, and why contextual understanding remains crucial. New documents continue to surface, capable of unsettling supposed certainties. Earlier sources are not always reliable – they use different standards, hold to outdated attributions, or simply contain errors.
Thus, we learn why there can be unusual attributions – for example, when a blade was originally given one name because kanji in old sources were difficult to interpret and were confused with one another. Not infrequently, oshigata of forgeries or blades with incorrect signatures have been published.
This may initially seem sobering, but ultimately it proves liberating.

What arises from this is not a dogmatic collection of answers, but a stance — a way of working. Against this backdrop, Pechalov’s approach gains additional weight.
It gives the impression of watching over the shoulder of an archaeologist with extraordinary knowledge and keen intuition: knee‑deep in the exposed debris of past libraries, he lifts up fragments here and there and draws his audience’s attention to their significance and function.

The only slight drawback remains the absence of photographs of genuine Masamune blades. But even this is understandable and explained by the author, so in the end one is not disappointed.

 

A possible objection might be that the book deals exclusively with the Sōshū‑den school. Yet precisely therein lies a strength: it evokes those few years in which everything that could happen did happen — only more brilliantly than before and after.

Conclusion
This book does not replace practical experience, but it brings structure to a field that otherwise easily becomes fragmentary and dogmatic. Anyone who wants to learn to recognize connections and develop well‑founded assessments will find an unusually clear approach here. Controversial topics are not left out; instead, the author gives the reader space to form their own opinion and develop their own perspective.

This is rare — and of invaluable worth, especially for beginners.
Not the easiest introduction — but an honest one. And perhaps exactly the right one for those who are just beginning their search, and for the eternally curious among us.

 

I hope that we all benefit from sharing this information. Thank you, Dmitry, and I hope that others in our community of enthusiasts will be just as kind and generous with their knowledge and follow your example, so that the rest of us can continue to learn and study.

[eternal_newbie]

The only thing that stands in the way of this book being an instant recommendation for any newbie is its rarity and price - it was a limited print run and copies now are hard to find and expensive (especially if you don't live in the same country as the seller).

 

Fortunately, Dmitry has generously made most of the content available online, and instead the web version can be recommended, with the advantage of being free and instantly viewable on any web-capable device: https://www.nihonto-museum.com/

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Guys,

Dmitry's book is wonderful and a bit expensive but it isn't rare. If you will excuse my self promotion, I can get you a copy new and unopened.

https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/c265-Japanese-swords-soshu-den-masterpieces-by-pechalov/

Thanks, Grey

[Lewis B]

1 hour ago, eternal_newbie said:

The only thing that stands in the way of this book being an instant recommendation for any newbie is its rarity and price - it was a limited print run and copies now are hard to find and expensive (especially if you don't live in the same country as the seller).

 

Fortunately, Dmitry has generously made most of the content available online, and instead the web version can be recommended, with the advantage of being free and instantly viewable on any web-capable device: https://www.nihonto-museum.com/

The impression I got was the book was printed in Italy on demand. So not a limited production run.

[eternal_newbie]

15 minutes ago, Grey Doffin said:

Hi Guys,

Dmitry's book is wonderful and a bit expensive but it isn't rare. If you will excuse my self promotion, I can get you a copy new and unopened.

https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/c265-Japanese-swords-soshu-den-masterpieces-by-pechalov/

Thanks, Grey

 

I stand corrected, and can personally vouch for both the book and Grey's store.

[raynor]

I have a copy, and the production quality is very high - I doubt this is printed and bound on demand, bookbinders will unlikely have these materials ready on shelves. But the edition size is probably in the several thousands? It is a niche subject but I have not gotten any impression it is sold out.

That said, if someone wants a copy, jump on it. It is by far the best book on the subject available in English, I think.

Edited April 3 by raynor

[Brian]

In my review, that still stands, I regard this as one of the mostly beautifully done, and most impressive books on the subject anywhere out there. I have nothing but huge praise for the author and his publication. If you have the means, you definitely need this.

[ckaiserca]

I am fortunate to have a copy of this beautiful book. It has pride of place in my library. It has to! It doesn't fit on any of my shelves, so it sits on a book stand in a corner where I can stand and read it.

[Mister Gunto]

Love that photo! (And the Sazerac Rye)

[Mushin]

I became a Soshu nut because of that book. Completely worth the price of admission!

 

[MidareObserver]

Hi @Lukrez, your post put this book on my radar, and after reading the other reviews here on the forum as well, I decided to buy it too.

 

Since I’m based in Europe, the easiest option for me was to contact Dmitry directly and get a copy from him that way. He was very kind, and the whole process was a pleasant experience.

 

And what can I say — this book really is one of a kind.

 

I’m already looking forward to diving into it properly.

 

Best regards,

Faustus

Edited April 18 by MidareObserver

[Lukrez]

@ Faustus: Gutes Gelingen!

[Mark S.]

Another book I really enjoy is the “One Hundred Masterpieces from the Collection of Dr. Walter Compton. Japanese Swords, Sword-Fittings and Accoutrements.”  Well bound and beautiful photography. The dust jacket is extremely well done.  Not an ‘educational tome’ but a beautiful book nonetheless.  Only downside is, it is easy to get fingerprint smudges on the pages with the photographs.
 

Not to hijack, but regarding the Sazerac.  Just got back from NOLA a few days ago (birthday trip) and did the Sazerac Distillery tour.  A bottle of the full proof Sazerac, a Col Taylor, and 4 bottles of my FAVORITE bourbon ever… Eagle Rare… followed me home.  All at MSRP and about half the price I can get it for anywhere near me.