Book Review: Étude de Meikō Zukan – Armuriers du Japon XVIe – XVIIIe siècle by Robert Burawoy

Book Review: Étude de Meikō Zukan – Armuriers du Japon XVIe – XVIIIe siècle by Robert BurawoyTitle: Étude de Meikō Zukan - Armuriers du Japon XVIe - XVIIIe siècle
Author: Robert Burawoy
Publisher: Institut des Hautes Etudes Japonaises - Collège de France - Editions De Boccard, 2017
ISBN: 978-2-9132-1737-9
Language: French with an abstract in English and Japanese
Illustrations: Color pictures and black and white pictures
Other: 296 pages, 27 cm by 20.5 cm, softcover
Topics: Kabuto, Katchū, Menpō, Sōmen
ID: B1308

This new and updated edition of the Étude de Meikō Zukan – Armuriers du Japon XVIe – XVIIIe siècle is the PhD dissertation that Mr. Burawoy wrote based on the Meikō Zukan (including sequels and addendum), an important armor book written by Matsumiya Kanzan in 1746. A first edition of Mr. Burawoy’s book was published in 2008, after which Mr. Burawoy kept his research up to date by hunting for new reference documents, different copies of the Meikō Zukan for comparison, and the whereabouts of the real pieces described in the book.

This overly illustrated book is, without a doubt, the most up to date research work on Japanese armor today. The book is in French, but Mr. Burawoy mentions that, when time permits, he will post an english translation (by instalments) on his website (www.robertburawoy.fr). On the same website you can also find errata and addenda of the recent books by Mr. Burawoy.

3rd Japanese Legacy Symposium in Leiden, The Netherlands (February 16-18, 2018)

Be sure to mark your calendars with the 3rd Japanese Legacy Symposium to be held in the beautiful Dutch city of Leiden from February 16-18, 2018. The conference has as its centrepiece the exhibition “The Masked Warrior” curated by Dr. Bas Verberk, featuring 130 pieces from private collections, including that of the Dutch Royal Family. Organized by the Japanese Armor Society, the curriculum will include guest speakers, social events and the opportunity to learn and engage with collectors, dealers, and experts from around the world.

We hope to see you in Leiden.

 

Armour Society Meeting September 2017: Yushukan Exhibition Visit

The September research meeting of the Japanese Armor Society will be a visit to the excellent armor exhibition in Yushukan (the Yasukuni Shrine Museum). Several kabuto and armors are on display, together also with horse gear.

Date: September 10th, 2017 – 13:00 ~
Place: Yasukuni Shrine, Yushukan Museum entrance
Entrance fee: 1,000 yen for members (Includes entrance fee and catalog).

As we will enter as a group, please let us know before September 4th if you want to join.

The meeting schedule for the coming months is as follows:
October 8th 2017, 14:00 ~ : Old Momonari Kabuto
November 26th 2017, 14:00 ~ : Old Zunari Kabuto
December 16th 2017, 15:00 ~ : Topic not yet decided. The meeting will be followed by the yearly bonenkai at 17:00

Book Review: Kinsei no katchū by Hiroshimashi Rekishi Kagaku Kyōiku Jigyōdan Hiroshimajō

Book Review: Kinsei no katchū by Hiroshimashi Rekishi Kagaku Kyōiku Jigyōdan HiroshimajōTitle: Kinsei no katchū
Author: Hiroshimashi Rekishi Kagaku Kyōiku Jigyōdan Hiroshimajō
Publisher: Hiroshimashi rekishi kagaku kyōiku jigyōdan hiroshimajō, 1995
Language: Japanese
Illustrations: Color Pictures
Other: 37 pages, 26 cm by 18 cm, softcover
Topics: Kabuto, Katchū, Menpō
ID: B0322

Thin but very nice catalog with 34 beautiful armors and kabuto, most of them not seen in other publications

Book Review: Gekkan kiku tōken katchū ko bijutsu zenshū (+dai ni kan) by Nihon bijutsu tōken shinbun shukusatsu-ban

Book Review: Gekkan kiku tōken katchū ko bijutsu zenshū (+dai ni kan) by Nihon bijutsu tōken shinbun shukusatsu-banTitle: Gekkan kiku tōken katchū ko bijutsu zenshū (+dai ni kan)
Author: Nihon bijutsu tōken shinbun shukusatsu-ban
Publisher: Nihon bijutsu tōken shinbun shukusatsu-ban, 1972+1975
Language: Japanese
Illustrations: Black and white pictures
Other: 288 (+284) pages, 25.5 cm by 18 cm, softcover
Topics: Abumi, Bagu, Bugu, Documents, Kabuto, Katchū, Kura, Menpō, Nihontō, Teppō, Tōsōgu
ID: B0320-B0321

Kind of a “multi yearbook” with the reprinting of the monthly magazine. Many armours and kabuto, tsuba, guns and even some western style armours. Fascinating.

Book Review: Ōmishima no hihō-ten: Setouchi no suigun o shinobu by Ōyamazumi Jinja

Book Review: Ōmishima no hihō-ten: Setouchi no suigun o shinobu by Ōyamazumi JinjaTitle: Ōmishima no hihō-ten: Setouchi no suigun o shinobu
Author: Ōyamazumi Jinja
Publisher: Ōyamazumi Jinja, 1970
Language: Japanese
Illustrations: Color and black and white pictures
Other: 26 cm by 18 cm, softcover
Topics: Bugu, Documents, Kabuto, Katchū, Mirrors, Tōsōgu
ID: B0319

Ōyamazumi Jinja contains the biggest collection of National Treasures armours. Over the years, they published several catalogs, this is an earlier version of such a catalog. Recent ones have better pictures.

Book Review: Mononofu no haresugata: Chikara yakudō bi by Matsuya Ginza

Book Review: Mononofu no haresugata: Chikara yakudō bi by Matsuya GinzaTitle: Mononofu no haresugata: Chikara yakudō bi
Author: Matsuya Ginza
Publisher: Matsuya Ginza, 1989
Language: Japanese
Illustrations: Color Pictures
Other: 28 pages, 26 cm by 18 cm, softcover
Topics: Kabuto, Katchū, Menpō, Nihontō, Teppō, Tōsōgu
ID: B0318

Very nice and rare catalog of an exhibition held in the art show room of Ginza Matsuya. In total 33 pieces mainly some beautiful kabuto.

Celebrating the beauty of Japanese samurai armour