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The Samurai Sword: Handbook [Hardcover]

John M. Yumoto (Author)

4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

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Product details

Hardcover: 191 pages
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing; 5th or later Edition edition (9 Jan 1998)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0804805091
ISBN-13: 978-0804805094
Product Dimensions: 21.9 x 15.7 x 2.1 cm

Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 490,712 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Synopsis

Explores the origins and development of the famous samurai sword as a work of art and a weapon and discusses its identification, evaluation, and care.

Inside This Book (Learn More)

First Sentence
THE HISTORY of the samurai sword is closely related to the history of Japan. Read the first page

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Customer Reviews

6 Reviews

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

4.5 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good, but brief introduction to the Samurai Sword, 29 Nov 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Samurai Sword: Handbook (Hardcover)

This book excels in terms of value for money, however, it lacks enough detail to warrant a good rating.

The book briefly describes most of the key elements of the Samurai Sword - Blade shape,mountings, construction, grain and inscriptions, and also provides a summary of the history of Japan and its impact on the development of the sword. It also includes many useful diagrams and pictures (although only in black and white), and an extensive list of notable sword-smiths and their inscriptions.

However, some important chapters were very brief indeed, and would have to be supplemented by other books. More information is needed on how the Five Schools differed in their styles of sword making, and on the making of the sword.

Overall, this is a very well laid out introductory handbook on the Samurai Sword, but its brevity limits it as such.

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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The "Definitive" guide to the Samurai Sword, 9 Jan 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Samurai Sword: Handbook (Hardcover)

I was once told "If you are interested in buying a real samurai sword buy this book read it once and then read it again and again." There is probably no other book, in english, that has as much info on antique samurai blades as this book. A must for anyone interested in sword collecting or even a serious martial artist.

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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best value for the money that you will find, 2 Aug 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Samurai Sword: Handbook (Hardcover)

I've studied the use of the Japanese sword for over 15 years, this was the first book I bought and still one of the best. It provides a good overview of the craft of the Japanese sword and contains information that you will not find without spending 3-4 times as much.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars a must for lovers of Japanese swords.
the book is very informative and well worth the purchase price.it explains the way the sword evolved from Chinese copies to the beautiful and lethal work of art it is today. Read more

Published 4 months ago by Mg Meacham

5.0 out of 5 stars samuri sword : Handbook
This book is excellent for someone who is reletivly new to the finer points of japanese sword terminology,and related paraphinalia. Read more

Published on 4 Nov 2005 by Stu

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for beginners
On the whole, a very good book, but lacking detail in some places, and some small sections have lost their accuracy due to the book being written in 1958! Read more

Published on 7 Jan 2000 by brook.family1@virgin.net

› See all 6 customer reviews on Amazon.co.uk

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