Rating: 
Summary: Packed with over two hundred color photos and illustrations
Review: This history of Japanese samurai and its philosophy and military ideas is covered in Samurai, a fine title that is packed with over two hundred color photos and illustrations of Samurai weapons and armor. This reference is a 'must' for any who want to study the weaponry and sentiments of samurai: the history is impressive and the ideas and photos unparalleled.
Rating:
Summary: Best entry level book on Samurai weapons & Japanese swords!
Review: This should probably be considered the best book to buy when interested in Japanese swords. It is a great 1st book, but will also interest more seasonned collectors.Mr. Sinclaire is the Chairman and a 30 year veteran of the To-Ken Society of Great Britain. He is also a 4th Dan Kendo practitioner. As such, Mr. Sinclaire is able to appreciate both the beauty and balance of fine Japanese swords. The book is organized as follow:
1 - What is a Samurai?
2 - The Samurai's Armour
3 - A brief history of Japanese swords
4 - The sword of the samurai (Nihon-to)
5 - Polearms (Yari, Naginata and Nagamaki)
6 - Archery (Yumi and Ya)
7 - Guns of the Samurai (Tanegashima)
Plus a glossary, bibliography, etc. The book presents a vast quantity of pictures, displaying many swords, fittings, other weapon, and other art pieces such as woodblock prints. There's at least 1 picture per page, and probably an average of 2 - many pages have up to 5 pictures. The book is also heavy on hard data, especially historical. On the other hand, the book is lighter in terms of construction methods and associated crafts. For those, Kapp & Yoshihara's book "The Craft of the Japanese Sword" is a must have. This is in my mind a better entry level book than Irvine's. Sato's book might be slightly richer if your interest is only and purely on blades as opposed to other weapons, the history of Japan, and the culture of the samurai. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Best entry level book on Samurai weapons & Japanese swords!
Review: This should probably be considered the best book to buy when interested in Japanese swords. It is a great 1st book, but will also interest more seasonned collectors. Mr. Sinclaire is the Chairman and a 30 year veteran of the To-Ken Society of Great Britain. He is also a 4th Dan Kendo practitioner. As such, Mr. Sinclaire is able to appreciate both the beauty and balance of fine Japanese swords. The book is organized as follow:
1 - What is a Samurai?
2 - The Samurai's Armour
3 - A brief history of Japanese swords
4 - The sword of the samurai (Nihon-to)
5 - Polearms (Yari, Naginata and Nagamaki)
6 - Archery (Yumi and Ya)
7 - Guns of the Samurai (Tanegashima)
Plus a glossary, bibliography, etc. The book presents a vast quantity of pictures, displaying many swords, fittings, other weapon, and other art pieces such as woodblock prints. There's at least 1 picture per page, and probably an average of 2 - many pages have up to 5 pictures. The book is also heavy on hard data, especially historical. On the other hand, the book is lighter in terms of construction methods and associated crafts. For those, Kapp & Yoshihara's book "The Craft of the Japanese Sword" is a must have. This is in my mind a better entry level book than Irvine's. Sato's book might be slightly richer if your interest is only and purely on blades as opposed to other weapons, the history of Japan, and the culture of the samurai. Highly recommended!
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