Kokan Nagayama

(from dust jacket)

Recently Japanese swords have gained enormous popularity as art objects with collectors and enthusiasts around the world, but until now much of the most detailed information on the subject has been available only in Japanese. This comprehensive guide to the appreciation and appraisal of the blades of Japanese swords provides, at last, all the background that readers need to become true connoisseurs.

The book is organized along historical lines for the sake of clarity and convenience, and its approach is always practical. Broad discussions of each tradition within the Gokaden focus on the feature that distinguish specific schools and smiths-the various kinds of jihada, hamon, boshi, and hataraki favored in different periods and regions-making this an invaluable reference tool for all enthusiasts, especially those who wish to take part in kantei-kei, or sword appreciation meetings. Each section closes with an easy-reference chart summarizing the distinctive features of the work of various schools and smiths.

The chapter on terminiology gives advice on what to look for when learning the different parts of a blade, again making reference to the unique features of particularly significant smiths. The chapter on care and appraisal of blades tells precisely how to handle blades and what to expect at a sword appraisal meeting, including an explanation of all the various responses that a judge may give in response to a bid.

Richly illustrated throughout with more that 550 of the author's own painstaking oshigata illustrations-sword tracings onto which details are penciled in by hand-The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords is easily the most informationve and comprehensive guide to the blades of Japanese swords ever to apprear in English.

Kokan Nagayama, who is widely recognized as one of the foremost living sword polishers, compiled the notes for this book over the course of many years spent teaching the arts of polishing and appraisal.

Nagayama-sensei is widely recognized as one of the foremost living sword polishers and is veteran teacher of both polishing and appraisal. Here in one accessible volume he distills the store of knowledge he has gained over a lifetime of intensive research.

Kokan Nagayama is one of the great contemporary sword polishers. He has been disignated a mukansa ('without supervision') polisher, a level above the regular sword-polisher ranking system. He is a judge of both the sword polishing and swordsmithing competitions of the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai or NBTHK (Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords), for which organization he serves as an instructor of sword polishing. In 1967 in Kanagawa Prefecture he founded the Nagayama Kenshujo (Nagayama Japanese Sword-polishing Institute), where he taught the art of polishing to both polishers and smiths for twenty years. He has organized several token-kai (sword study groups) and instructed hundreds of sword enthusiasts.

Kenji Mishina is a sword polisher who served as chief instructor at the Nagayama Kenshujo for seven years beginning in 1979. He has been authorized by the Japanese government to restore swords disignated as kokuho (national treasures) and juyo bunkazai (important cultural assets). He has been awarded numerous prizes in the sword polishing competitions of the NBTHK. He lived in England for six years beginning in 1986, where he worked for the British museum, lectured at the monthly meetings of the Token Society of Great Britain, and received a request from the British royal family to polish its sword collection. He lives in Tokyo.

Upon first opening this book and flipping through the pages, I said to myself 'Wow, this is a lot of information'. From an exhaustive history of the different schools of smiths and their names, to the illustrated pages of different Hamon and Boshi patterns, I feel that this is a most complete workup on the Japanese katana. The information that is in this book is enormous. I knew quite a bit about Japanese swords, but after reading this book, I feel fully equipped to have a conversation with even the most knowledgable. Although I am unable to memorize all of the information in this book, I have found this to be a great reference material that I am constantly using. This is definately a book that should be in your collection if you are involved with katanas on any level and would like to know more. -D. Fox

If you're into swinging a katana around then you eventually desire a good one. I luckily have a good one and this book has helped me 'connect' with it a lot better. I now understand where my sword and its creator fit in Japanese history. Every time I clean the blade, I find myself thinking about its history or some of the features making it unique and special.

So, even if you only own one good sword, this is a good book to have because it is so very instructive about exactly what it is you hold in your hands. It also helps in the appreciation of all the other swords you come across. Does that even make sense in this century? I guess it must. Some of us actually do see a fair number of swords week to week. Most are worth looking at for a while.

On the negative side, the book temporarily increased my hunger for an even better sword. 'Better' meant more suited to my body. Reviewing the various swords, it seemed that an older sword, perhaps a couple more centuries old, would fit me better. Shorter, curvier, ... With more training time, it turned out that my katana is perfect for me. With time, both training and reading this book, I've come to appreciate my own blade more and more. I can't imagine training with another. -Tyler Forge

National Living Treasure Kokan Nagayama's 'Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords' is one of the definitive references on Japanese swords (nihonto) available in English translation. I bought it after either purchasing or familiarizing myself with several other essential, but much more basic tomes such as John Yumoto's 'The Samurai Sword: A Handbook,' Kazan Sato's 'The Japanese Sword: A Comprehensive Guide,' and Kapp and Yoshihara's 'The Craft of the Japanese Sword.' Each of these books has a niche, along with relative strengths and weaknesses (e.g., Yumoto's book is but a brief overview with crude hand illustrations, Kapp & Yoshihara focus on a general overview of forging, etc.) such that those seriously entering the world of nihonto would be well-served to collect them all (after all, all of these books together are going to cost a infinitesimal fraction of the cost of a nihonto and will therefore be a sound investment).

The stated intent of the Connosieur's Book is to arm the novice with a beginning understanding of the types of things that one would need to learn about kantei, the art of nihonto appraisal. Having said that, the level of detail here is far beyond that found in most other introductory books about nihonto for novices, and probably more than the casual fan of 'samurai swords' would benefit from. The book is really designed as a reference and includes considerable detail. It does a nice job of going through major and subtle differences of nihonto through different eras and schools of sword-making, along with a brief historical context to explain changes and influences. It likewise gives an illustrated reference to variations in sugata (shape), design (sori, mune, shinogi), hamon (hardened edge), nakago (tang), kissaki (tip), hada (steel grain), horimono (engravings) and the like. There are no photos, but there are ample oshigata-style illustrations showing the subtlest variations to match with the text. Significant detail is included listing various schools of forging and individual smiths -- all of which are essential building blocks for kantei. There's also an appendix on inspection etiquette, charts organizing smiths and characteristics of their blades, and a glossary.

It's therefore a fine reference, from one of Japan's leading authorities, but as with the other books of the genre, there are strengths and limitations. The strong point of this text is its encyclopedic detail along with decent organization and illustrations. I picked this book up hoping to learn more (having read the other books, taken a course in forging of Japanese swords, and training in Japanese swordsmanship) about differences in major traditions of swordmaking. The book helps to explain that, but perhaps not in the clearest way. As but one simple example, Nagayama Sensei writes, 'Swords of the Shoshu tradition typically have abundant ji-nie as well as chikei in the ji, and a hamon consisting of nie with vigorous activity such as kinsuji and inazuma.' The Japanese terms can be cross-referenced elsewhere in the book, but they are presented individually and piecemeal, such that it can often be hard for the novice reader to get any kind of clear overall mental picture of the subtleties referred to in the text (e.g. what does it really mean that the nie is 'abundant' or 'vigorous?'). So what is missing? More illustrations of entire swords (and at least some photos) could be of use, along with side-by-side comparisons to understand the relative differences between styles (e.g. here is a typical Bizen, here is a typical Shoshu and here's how they're different), or maybe a few examples of swords in which the reader is taken through the process of kantei.

Of course, there is only so much you can teach in a book... you can't very well expect to read a manual on swordsmanship, car repair, or reading EKG's and then get right to it -- rather the manual gives you an overview, you then take up the practice, and later you go back to the book for reference. So it is here -- I seriously doubt the book would be very helpful for those who don't plan to earnestly start collecting nihonto and studying kantei, and in fact the level of detail and complexity might very well turn some away. But for those looking for 'the next level' of reference after Yumoto or Sato, this book is a good start to learn and refer back to as you then track down, join, and attend your local Token-Kai. It's probably one of the best English language references, but it's not a tutorial or class-in-a-book nor does it claim to be. -Joe Pierre

This book must be the most informative (almost too much) but easy (as possible considering the subject) to read book I have ever owned. It really does have everything you need to know if you are thinking about purchasing a sword. I live in Japan, and when I showed my book to the shop owner I am friends with he was very impressed. Even with a language barrier we were able to communicate about certain features of swords that he was selling in his shop. A must buy if you have any interest on the subject. -Scott Weber

This book contains more info than one could even imagine! In fact, that's all I'm going to say becuase it would take to long for me to even give you even a basic idea! I will tell you this: If you don't have this book in your library then you are missing out big time!!!!! Oh, by the way, the illustrations are awesome too!!!!

Enjoy and make sure that you have a weekend free to read.... you'll need it ;-) -John

I'm not really into sword collecting, but I nonetheless found this book to be fascinating. Two-thirds of it is pure reference material related to particular sword makers and that part would be invaluable to collectors, but it is not of general interest. The descriptions of the history of swordmaking and the attributes of
the craftsmanship, however, stands on its own as interesting reading. One comes away with a much greater appreciation of the art form. -Roy Latham

The Connoisseur's Book is exceptionally detailed and not to mention very aesthetically pleasing. The book itself has the feel and look of a high-quality encyclopedia. As should be expected, the information inside is very well detailed. It is an excellent book and I very strongly recommend it, particularly if you are ready to start deeper in-depth studies of Nihonto. For a novice, I would probably suggest the books by Sato and Yumoto. But this is what I feel would be a step beyond those.

Absolutely marvelous. Well written, very clear, of course as was mentioned in another review it sorta lacks photographs, but that's quite OK, as the illustrations do an excellent job of portraying things.

For those of you who are more passively interested, this book will be overkill and unnecessary when you can do well with the aforementioned books, but if you are serious...this book is a splendid piece of work that will be VERY enjoyable for you to delve into. Not only for information, but as a good read.-R. Marotz

Contents (Abridged)

Foreword by Clive Sinclaire, Chairman of the Token Society of Great Britain
Translator's Note, Preface
Chapter 1--History of the Japanese Sword
Early Background (Historical Periods, Emperor Reigns, and Sword History; Main Roads and Provinces; Eto (Chinese Zodiacal Cycle); Map of Japan in the Edo Period; Changes in the Shape of the Japanese Sword
Before the Mid-Heian Period: The Jokoto
Late Heian to Early Kamakura: Emergence of the Tachi
Mid-To Late Kamakura Period: Emergence of Unique Reginonal Styles
The Nanbokuchio Period: The Origin of the O-Dachi
The Muromachi Period: The Uchigatana
The Momoyama Period: New Methods and Tends in Sword Production
The Edo Period: Emergence of Distinct Eastern and Western Styles
Late Edo Through Early Meiji: Emergence of the Shinshinto
Mid-Meiji Through the Present Day: Art Swords
Chapter II Sword and Apraisal Terminology
Types of Swords; Parts of the Sword; Measuring the Japanese Sword; Types of Sword Structures (Tsurikomi); Types of Sori; Types of Kissaki; Types of Mune; Height and Width of the skhinogoi; Determining the Condition of the Nkago; Tkypes of Nakago; Types of Nakagojiri; Types of Yasurime; Types of Mei; Types of Hi; Types of Horimono; Jigane and Jihada; Hataraki in the Jihada; Nie and Nioi; Types of Hamon; Various Conditions Seen in Parts of the Hamon; Hataraki (Activity) Within the Hamon; Boshi; Flaws and Defects
Chapter III The Workmanship of the Leading Swordsmiths
Basic Classification of the Gokaden in Koto Times; The Main Schools and Workmanship of Early Japanese Swords; The Main Schools and Evolution of the Yamashiro Tradition; The Main Schools and Evolution of the Yamato Tradition; The Main Schools and Evolution of the Bizen Tradition; The Main Schools and Evolution of the Bizen Tradition; The Main Schools and Evolution of the Soshu Tradition; The Main Schools and Evolution of the Mino Tradition; Workmanship of Shinto Times; Provinces and School of Shinto Times; Workmanship of Shinshinto Times; Provinces and Schools of Shinshinto Times; The Taikei Naotane; Hosokawa Masayosyhi and the Sa Yikihide School; Kato Tsunahide and the Koyama Munetsugu School; Kato Tsunatoshi and th Unju Korekazu School; The Minamoto (no) Kiyomaro School; Swordsmith of Oshu District (Iwaki, Iwashiro, Uzen, Ugo, Rikuzen, Rikuchu, and Mutsu Provinces); Swordsmiths of Mito (Hitachi Province); Swordsmiths of Osaka (Settsu Province); The Bizen Yokoyama School; The Hamabe School; The Hizen Tadayoshi School; Swordsmiths of Satsuma Province; Other Leading Smiths; Leading Swordsmiths of Shinshinto Times
Chapter IV Guide to Japanese Sword Appreciation
Appreciation; Care of the Blade; Preparation for Nyusatsu Kantei; Koto Dozen List; Shinto and Shinshinto Dozen List; List of Swordsmiths Often Featured in Kantei-kai
Glossary… (mehr)