B. W. Robinson (1912–2005)

The purpose of this handbook, which makes no claim to any originality, is simply to present in the most convenient and condensed form possible the basic information essential to the sutdy of Japanese sword-blades. It is largely based on the excellent little work 'Token Benran' ('Handbook of Swords') by Fujishiro Yoshio (7th edition, Tokio, 1934) to which I here acknowledge my deep and constant indebtedness. I have also consulted the standard work 'Nippon-to' by Hinami Koson (Tokio, 1914), show more 'Nippon-to' by Homma Junji (Tokio, 1939), and some of the older works such as 'Koto Mei-dzukushi' (Yedo, 1792, and many later editions) and 'Honcho-Kaji-ko' (Osaka, 1795, and later editions). For the brief biographical particulars embodied in the last section I have found 'Toko Soran' by Honami Koson and Murotsu Kiotaro (Tokio, 1918), which contains notices of about 11,500 sworddsmiths, of the utmost value, and have incorporated some particulars gleaned from the periodicals 'Token-kwaishi' and 'Token Kenkiu'. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my gratitude to Mr. H. R. Robinson for executing the excellent drawings form which the illustrations of hamon have been made, to Miss K. Honshuku for her elegant writing of the character reproduced, to Mr. C. Blair for much valuable help in seeing the work through the press, and, last but not least, to Captain A.D.E. Craig for the loan of his copy of 'Token Benran' and for his encouagement throughout. I can only hope that this handbook may be of some practical use to him and to other collectors and students of the world's most fascinating weapon. Contents I Nomenclature & Definitions A Form & general characteristics (sugata, tsukuri-komi) B Tempered edge (yakiba) C Tempered edge at the point (boshi) D Damask (jihada) E Tang (nakago) II Provinces and schools of Japanese swordsmiths A Koto B Shinto-Index of schools and provinces III Alphabetical list of swordsmiths show less

from dust jacket

Although ever since the end of the last century collectors of Japanese swords and their fittings have been steadily on the increase in this country and America, no convenient comprehensive manual had been available until Mr. Robinson produced The Arts of the Japanese Sword. The subject is a vast one, not least because the Japanese literature on it is so extensive, reaching back into the Middle Ages. When it appeared (in 1961), it was hailed as 'a masterpiece of selective show more condensation...a first-class study of the Japanese sword and an absolute must to the library of all students and collectors in this field' (Apollo)

The addition of four new colour plates and eight black and white in the new edition together with the replacement of a number of the existing plates with new ones, has added still further to its value.

'...any English reader who masters this book will learn as many facts about the Japanese sword as he is ever likely to want to know...[it] contains detailed information about the making of blades, and also about guards and other sword furniture; there is a highly technical chapter on how to judge a blade, another on the chief schools of Japanese swordsmiths, and lists of swordsmiths with their names in Japanese characters, and the schools to which they belonged, along with a thousand other items of information about, for instance, care and cleaning, evolution of styles, year periods, nomenclature of parts and places of manufacture. For the specialist and collector the book will be found indispensable.'-Journal of the Royal Society of Arts

Contents

Preface
List of Illustations
Part One: The Blade
Introductory
Evolution and History of the Japanese Sword
The Smith and his Work: the Making of a Blade
Nomenclature and Expertise: Judging a Blade
The Five Tradition
The Chief Schools of Japanese Swordsmiths
The Greatest Swordsmiths of Japan
Part Two: The Mounts
Evolution of styles
Materials and Technque
Mounting of Katana and Wakizashi
Mounting of Tachi
Mounting of Daggers
The Chief Schools of Japanese Sword-furniture Makers
The Greatest Makers of Sword-furniture
Appendices
A. The Year-periods (Nengo)
B. The Numerals, the 'Ten Stems', and the 'Twelve Signs'
C. The Provinces
D. Care and Cleaning
E. Characters used n the names of swordsminths and makers of sword-fittings
Index show less