Japanese Sword: Soul Of The Samurai (Victoria & Albert Museum : Far Eastern Series) (Hardcover)

~ Gregory Irvine (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Drawing on the Victoria and Albert Museum's magnificent collection, one of the finest in the West, this illustrated survey examines the development of the Japanese sword in an historical and social context from the eighth to the twentieth century. The development of the sword from its origins as one of the world's most effective cutting weapons is seen in the context of the emergence and development of Japan's ruling military class, the samurai, to whom it was indispensable both as a weapon and symbol of power. The book also deals concisely with the techniques used in the making of the Japanese sword and the associated terminology. In addition to weapons from the V&A's own collections and unusual prints showing graphic depictions of swords in action, illustrations include comparative material from other museums such as Japan's Tokyo National Museum which has one of the best and most well documented collections of Japanese swords in the world.

About the Author

Gregory Irvine is curator in the Far Eastern Department of the Victoria and Albert Museum, responsible for the collections of Japanese metalwork, particularly arms and armor. Formerly a curator in the Department of Japanese Antiquities of the British Museum, he joined the V&A in 1990 and began work on a database of the museum's extensive sword collection, collected since 1865. As well as extended periods of research into collections of swords and armor in Japan itself, his other research areas include the philosophies and social context behind the use of weaponry in Japan's historical context.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Weatherhill (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0834804751
• ISBN-13: 978-0834804753
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,383,636 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Soul of the Samurai covers the major periods well..., January 24, 2001

By	Michael A Vinehout "mljvine" (Marshfield, Mo United States) - See all my reviews

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!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is great!, January 14, 2004

By	John (USA) - See all my reviews

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!