The Japanese Sword: The Soul of the Samurai (Victoria & Albert Museum: Far Eastern Series)

Rating:
Summary: The Soul of the Samurai covers the major periods well...
Review: Although the book is short (122 pages) it covers the major periods of the Japanese sword well. There is a short section on the making of the Japanese sword as well as basic terminology. If you are looking for more information on the making of a katana buy Kapp and Yoshihara's "The Craft of the Japanese Sword". The book goes through each period, Heian (794-1185), the Kamakura period (1185-1333), the Muromachi & Momoyama periods (1333-1600), the Edo period (1600-1868) and the Meiji Restoration and beyond. The book does not deal with Gendaito (modern swords). It does have 68 illustrations including several nice color woodblock prints and a lot of black and white photos of old blades from the imperial collection and the Toyko National Museum. The book is not really a reference book, buy John Yumoto's "The Samurai Sword" and Fuller & Gregory's "Military Swords of Japan 1868-1945", or Sato & Earle's "The Japanese Sword- A Comprehensive Guide" first if you are looking for a reference guide. The book has very little on tsubas or fittings. It does have a glossary and an index. If you are looking for a little more history and have the reference books, want to see some great blades and fine wood block prints than this is the book for you! It is a good read. Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: The Soul of the Samurai covers the major periods well...
Review: Although the book is short (122 pages) it covers the major periods of the Japanese sword well. There is a short section on the making of the Japanese sword as well as basic terminology. If you are looking for more information on the making of a katana buy Kapp and Yoshihara's "The Craft of the Japanese Sword". The book goes through each period, Heian (794-1185), the Kamakura period (1185-1333), the Muromachi & Momoyama periods (1333-1600), the Edo period (1600-1868) and the Meiji Restoration and beyond. The book does not deal with Gendaito (modern swords). It does have 68 illustrations including several nice color woodblock prints and a lot of black and white photos of old blades from the imperial collection and the Toyko National Museum. The book is not really a reference book, buy John Yumoto's "The Samurai Sword" and Fuller & Gregory's "Military Swords of Japan 1868-1945", or Sato & Earle's "The Japanese Sword- A Comprehensive Guide" first if you are looking for a reference guide. The book has very little on tsubas or fittings. It does have a glossary and an index. If you are looking for a little more history and have the reference books, want to see some great blades and fine wood block prints than this is the book for you! It is a good read. Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: This book is great!
Review: It's about time someone wrote a book like this! This book covers everything from the weapons, to the samurai themselves and their daily lives. A must for any library! Hours and hours of facinating reading, and a wonderful reference manual for nihonto enthusiasts!

I love it!