Customer Reviews

The New Generation of Japanese Swordsmiths

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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An excellant companion book to any study of mondern Nihon-to and classical Nihon-to. Detailed descriptions of swords, and great biographical material on the smiths. The son of Yoshihara Yohindo, who wrote "The Craft of the Japanese Sword", is among those interviewed. He has become a respected & licensed smith since his father's book was published in 1985.

I own this book. One of the 1st bought when i started my studies of Nihon-to.

This book is going to be one of those books that will become legendary in the nihonto world. A very facinating look into todays up and coming smiths, their work, and where they see the future of the sword is going. An absolute must for the library, and an excellent resource for nihonto collectors!

Anyone considering buying this should also invest in "Modern Japanese Swords and Swordsmiths" by Leon & Hiroko Kapp and Yoshindo Yoshihara, which I prefer slightly over this book. Here, more of the interviews are with sword polishers rather than the actual smiths, and between the two books there are redundant interviews with Sasaki Takushi, Ogawa Kanekuni, Yoshihara Yoshikazu, Seto Yoshihiro, Enju Nobutsugu, Okubo Kazuhiro, and Hiroki hirokuni.

For myself, in no way does this detract from either book as there are only so many master smiths, and the interviews are different in many ways so we get to know them that much better. In the Kapp book you will find more photos if that is what you're looking for. In Tsuchiko's book there is a map, and some good drawings illustrating the parts of a sword; there is also a better collection of examples of hamon (temper lines) and boshi (hamon on the kissaki or tip).

Throughout the interviews there are many fine b/w photos of examples of their blades and craftsmanship. Another interesting thing about this book is that many of the interviews are conducted by sword polishers, who add a nice dimension. I highly recommend this book.

it is a collection of contemporan swordsmiths and need to be in your hands to feel what you have, like a blade.

This is an excellent book for the novice and high-end collector alike. If you own, study or are interested in the Japanese Sword, then you must add this volume to your library. This is about the lives and work of 20 top swordsmiths of Japan, their craft, methods,insights and open discussions about shinsakuto, the modern day Japanese Sword, forged only in the rigid standards of the old school smiths.

This book interviews twenty blade smiths and also has interviews with polishers, too!

The reader will be enriched by the thoughts and experiences of these craftsmen and gain a greater appreciation for their craft.

This is a great reference book for anyone studying or even remotely interested in modern Nihon-to and classical Nihon-to.