Category Archives: Book Review

Nihon katchū ronshū by Motoo Yamagishi

Nihon katchū ronshū by Motoo YamagishiTitle: Nihon katchū ronshū
Author: Motoo Yamagishi
Publisher: Nihon Katchū Ronshū Kankōkai, Tsukubanesha, 1991
ISBN: 4-924836-07-9 C3021
Language: Japanese
Illustrations: Color and black and white pictures
Other: 453 pages, 26.5 cm by 19.5 cm, hardcover
ID: B0472

This is one of the hard core books by Mr. Yamagishi about the (de)construction of Japanese Armor. There are not that many pictures (although they mostly contain details), but a lot of measurements, placements of scales etc, in addition to the in depth Japanese text. Mostly aimed at those who want to know more about the construction of armor, or do it yourself armorers.

Nihon katchū no jisshōteki kenkyū (Zōho) by Motoo Yamagishi

Nihon katchū no jisshōteki kenkyū (Zōho) by Motoo YamagishiTitle: Nihon katchū no jisshōteki kenkyū (Zōho)
Author: Motoo Yamagishi
Publisher: Tsukubanesha, 1997
ISBN: 4-924836-22-2
Language: Japanese
Illustrations: Color and black and white pictures
Other: 902 pages, 26.5 cm by 19 cm, hardcover
Topics: Kabuto, Katchū
ID: B0471

This is one of the hard core books (all by Mr. Yamagishi) about the (de)construction of Japanese Armor. In this book, each chapter focuses on the construction of one armor, with (few) detailed pictures. One can only dream of an English version with countless detailed pictures and drawings…

Haramachi shishi dai 10 kan tokubetsu hen 3 nomaoi by Haramachishi Kyōiku Iinkai

Haramachi shishi dai 10 kan tokubetsu hen 3 nomaoi by Haramachishi Kyōiku IinkaiTitle: Haramachi shishi dai 10 kan tokubetsu hen 3 nomaoi
Author: Haramachishi Kyōiku Iinkai
Publisher: Haramachi shi, 2004
Language: Japanese
Illustrations: Color and black and white pictures
Other: 596, 371 pages, 26.5 cm by 19 cm, hardcover
Topics: Abumi, Culture, Documents, History, Kamon, Katchū, Kura
ID: B0469

Haramachi shi, now part of Minami Sōma, is famous for the fabulous Sōma Nomaoi Samurai festival. This set covers the history of the city and it’s festival, with many pictures of armor, kura, abumi, scrolls. battle flags etc.

Nihon no kassen bugu jiten (zuroku) by Yoshihiko Sasama

Nihon no kassen bugu jiten (zuroku) by Yoshihiko SasamaTitle: Nihon no kassen bugu jiten (zuroku)
Author: Yoshihiko Sasama
Publisher: Kashiwa Shobō, 1999
ISBN: 4-7601-1705-9 C1521
Language: Japanese
Illustrations: Black and white drawings, black and white pictures
Other: 390 pages, 26.5 cm by 19.5 cm, hardcover
Topics: Abumi, Bagu, Bugu, Kabuto, Katchū, Kura, Nihontō, Samurai, Teppō
ID: B0468

Encyclopedia of arms related things as they are illustrated in battle scrolls, mostly illustrated with line drawings.

Japanese Armour – An Illustrated Guide to the Work of Myōchin and Saotome Families from the 15th to the 20th Century by L. J. Anderson

Japanese Armour – An Illustrated Guide to the Work of Myōchin and Saotome Families from the 15th to the 20th Century by L. J. AndersonTitle: Japanese Armour - An Illustrated Guide to the Work of Myōchin and Saotome Families from the 15th to the 20th Century
Author: John L. Anderson
Publisher: Arms and Armour Press, 1968
Language: English
Illustrations: Black and white pictures
Other: 84 pages, 22 cm by 14.5 cm, hardcover
Topics: Kabuto, Katchū, Menpō, Sōmen
ID: B0467

The classic work of John Anderson with many pieces of his then amazing collection.

The Craft of the Japanese Sword by Leon and Hiroko Kapp, Yoshindo Yoshihara, Tom Kishida (Photography)

The Craft  of the Japanese Sword by Leon and Hiroko Kapp, Yoshindo Yoshihara, Tom Kishida  (Photography)Title: The Craft of the Japanese Sword
Author: Leon Kapp, Hiroko Kapp, Yoshindo Yoshihara, Tom Kishida
Publisher: Kodansha International Ltd., 1987
ISBN: 0-87011-798-X
Language: English
Illustrations: Black and white pictures and line drawings
Other: 167 pages, 26.5 cm by 19 cm, hardcover
Topics: Nihontō
ID: B0465

Very interesting book that covers the complete creation of Japanese swords.