{"product_id":"the-connoisseurs-book-of-japanese-swords","title":"The Connoisseurs Book of Japanese Swords","description":"\u003cp\u003eRecently 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 features 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-kai  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 terminology gives advice on what to look for when examining 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 than 550 of the authors own painstaking oshigata illustrations-sword tracings onto which details are penciled in by hand-The Connoisseurs Book of Japanese Swords is easily the most informative and comprehensive guide to the blades of Japanese swords ever to appear 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 a 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.  \"Nagayama-sensei and his senior pupils have for many years now taken an enlightened approach to study of Japanese swords outside of Japan. They have been of great assistance to collectors here in Great Britain and in other countries  traveling and living abroad  organizing exhibitions  teaching us and polishing our swords  always in an altruistic spirit. This translation is another example of this same approach. In the past we have often struggled on our own or in small groups to gain an understanding of this peculiarly Japanese cultural asset  and with many of the definitive books on the subject still untranslated  a wealth of information has in the past been inaccessible to the non-Japanese reader. The Connoisseurs Book of Japanese Swords will be of great help in making educated judgments at kantei sessions  and will be an invaluable and constant reference work.\" -From the Foreword by Clive Sinclaire Chairman of the Token Society of Great Britain\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44983778607157,"sku":"ByrdShop_4770020716","price":114.69,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9784770020710.jpg?v=1770810029","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-connoisseurs-book-of-japanese-swords","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}