Title: Japanese Swords of HIZEN PROVINCE

A new must have book for every collector and enthusiast

INTRODUCTION

By Michael Hagenbusch, 

President, European Branch NBTHK

In 1994 an almost fatal blow was delivered not only to the then almost 100 members of the European branch of the NBTHK, but to all sword-interested people in the non-Japanese world -- the cessation of the English edition of Token Bijutsu after 15 years. The reasons for this were rather easy to understand: the number of members worldwide decreased, the costs were increasing, the storage rooms in the Sword Museum were stacked with unsold editions, the interpreter had given up her job -- what should the management do other than to stop the publication. One of the most decisive points in this decision was, that everyone outside of Japan after 15 years should now have enough material in the English language on swords to be able to get along, and that was and is very true indeed.

Otherwise I would not be in the position to write this introduction, because there is enough worldwide material to be published in the English Edition of Token Bijutsu, as this book by Fred Fimio proves, because it contains all the running articles on Shinto and Koto, written by the foremost authorities in Japan -- in appropriate English language -- and is as useful as it ever was, but because it was a running series, it eclipsed out of our minds, although it contains among the best and most important information about swords ever written in English. But it really was a harsh blow to the sword world outside of Japan, and the membership numbers dropped drastically -- I remember very well, that only a handful of members wanted to remain as the inner core of the European Branch, and a German group of sword students decided to be independent, but we, Hans-Joachim Eschbaum and me, kept the Branch going on. Why? Because the information provided in the Japanese Token Bijutsu is by far the best you can read on the sword, and giving up our status as a branch of the NBTHK would have meant to be shut out from the very best source of sword knowledge, a knowledge which enabled me, for example, to get into a deeper understanding of the Japanese sword, which admittedly is not an easy task.

It took quite awhile for me to understand the sword, because I came from the "weapon side," everything which made noise and smoke was my world, not at all edged weapons. But at the age of 17 I saw my first Japanese sword and was from that very moment onward enthusiastically taken away by the beauty of this wonderful weapon, and when I had the means I bought my first sword on credit, a major blow to my bank account. It never recovered from this letting of blood, because I have not stopped collecting swords. Very quickly I had a rather large collection of swords, pole arms, armour etc., bought books, read them in the usual way, that means omitting everything in those books which dealt with art -- but then in 1972, I met an American (Bruce Kirkpatrick) who tried very hard to convince me of the fact, that these swords are art as well. It was a long way to go, but finally I sold almost all of my Japanese weapons and started to collect Japanese art, of which swords are the most important part.

It took time to learn that swords were made not only for the warrior, but for the art lover as well, and that special polishing techniques were developed as early as the Heian era to show the beautiful effects of the metallurgical features in the steel and the hardening. As early as the Kamakura time, swords were considered as art. There exists a book, most probably from the Showa era (not from the 20th Century, of course, but from 1312-1317), which deals with the appraising of swords as art, and from Muromachi onwards there are many books on art swords. But those facts escaped my mind until I went to Japan for my first time, where I had the opportunity to handle swords -- real art swords -- at the annual meeting of the NBTHK. At once I became a member, and from that very moment onward I had the advantage of being able to look at swords of major importance, which in previous times only Daimyo and the Shogun were allowed to appreciate.

But the art of the sword is a very demanding art, this special form of high art does not only need devotion and love, it is also to be appreciated if one has knowledge and trained eyes. This knowledge is acquired through the reading about swords, and the best source is Token Bijitsu. And the eyes are trained through looking at the very best art swords one is able to see, because only outstanding swords give you the chance to see everything you have read about. Of course, in lesser swords one finds metallurgical features as well, but they never are given in that stunning natural way in its entity like in real art swords. It is very difficult indeed, to interpret this and other art be it applied to art or sculpture, Japanese or from other countries, either in reading or writing books, because a book is only able to explain the technical end or to give a superficial glimpse on the historical or biographical details.

For the true appreciation of art it is necessary to look at those works of art with ones own eyes "in natural" and in the same time to hear the explanations given by experts on the spot. I only hope, that this book will be accepted as a practical guide for the study of the Japanese sword instead of being a useful guide to buy swords. As I already stated, the reader should try to use every chance to study swords on the object itself than depend on merely "paper knowledge." In every case, we all owe Fred Fimio a hearty vote of thanks, that he was so kind to bring again very important knowledge to our eyes.

By:       Michihiro Tanobe, Research Director for the NBTHK

            September, 2003

It is my great pleasure to write a few words to congratulate the publication of this useful source of information which Mr. Fimio is generously sharing with fellow sword students outside Japan.  It has been a long time since the publication of the English edition Token Bijutsu ended, but we at the NBTHK are very pleased to be aware that various efforts to make use of the teaching materials we selected for the journal are being made by different groups and individuals in many parts of the world to promote and deepen knowledge and understanding of the difficult subject of Nippon-to.  Mr. Fimio's accomplishment will certainly contribute largely to the spreading of knowledge being earnestly pursued by many overseas sword students and will be most highly appreciated.

Cost: $75.00 (USD) plus shipping and handling $10.00 USD (U.S. & Canada) $40.00 (International)

Please send Postal Money Order, Bank Draft or PayPal made payable to Fred Fimio at: 39 Hodgson Drive, Barrie, ON

L4N 7Z2  CANADA.

FOREWORD

By:    Arnold Frenzel

          May, 2002

 

Those of us who have collected Japanese swords for some years are struck by numerous changes that have occurred in the field, not the least remarkable being the comparative increased appreciation for gendaito.

 

The appreciation has been two-fold; first, the new and deserved recognition of the fine quality of such outstanding smiths as Watanabe Kanenaga, Yoshihara Kuniiye, Tsukamato Okimasa, Kasama Shigetsugu, Miyaguchi Toshihiro and others – one of whom may well be the first gendaito Juyo Token designated in the not too distant future – and secondly, the real relative rise in the financial value of gendaito.

 

This new work by Fred Fimio joins a number of recent publications spurred by the interest in gendaito.  With the exception of very early gendaito smiths, such as Gassan Sadakazu, Horii Taneyoshi, Miyamoto Kanenori, Sakurai Masatsugu, Rayama Enshin, Kasama Shinetsugu and Takahashi Sadatsugu, few are illustrated in the standard comprehensive books featuring oshigata.

 

The foregoing omissions make this a useful reference volume.  In addition to numerous oshigata, Fred has included a brief historical outline, some personal observations, character tables, a glossary, and index of 1500 gendai smiths, and, what I believe will be particularly helpful, a sort of rosetta stone for reading nakago inscriptions, or at least understanding the kind of information often found there.  This book is a useful contribution to a rapidly growing literature.

Title:  Swords and Swordsmiths of Bizen Province 2ND EDITION (Covering the period from 250 a.d. to 1868)

Cost: For advance orders, the price will remain at $150.00 USD plus shipping and handling $25.00 USD (U.S. & Canada) $40.00 (International). 

Please send Postal Money Order, Bank Draft or PayPal made payable to Fred Fimio at: 39 Hodgson Drive, Barrie, ON  

L4N 7Z2  CANADA.

FOREWORD

By:     Dr. Gordon L. Robson, Translator for the NBTHK

To the connoisseur of the Japanese sword, the name Bizen is almost magical.  It has been called the “Sword Kingdom” for the concentration of smiths there as well as the superb quality of its products.  The combinations of plentiful and high quality iron ore, vast forests of pine and numerous rivers were the reasons for this.

 

From the earliest times of sword manufacturing in Japan, Bizen has been at the forefront.  The result has been that, for the collector, Bizen swords are the most plentiful and often of an artistic level to be found nowhere else.  Despite this great availability of swords for the collector, the total lack of any single volume devoted to Bizen swords in English is indeed surprising.  It was thus, with a great deal of interest, that I learned of Fred’s plan to publish a volume of his long and tireless work on the subject.  I am sure that the task has been daunting and yet, Fred has managed to provide a succinct and insightful survey of the schools, major and minor, in Bizen province.

 

Moreover, he has provided a very interesting introduction to his topic with a discussion of the various developments in the Bizen area from the seventh century in terms of the archaeological record as well as the social and political developments that took place during the period leading up to the first appearance of a true Japanese sword.

 

Seemingly not satisfied with his survey of schools, Fred has also provided a very useful glossary of terms and then a massive listing of some 4000 sword smiths working in Bizen.  I am sure, connoisseurs of all types and levels will find something of interest to them.  In addition, as Fred has noted, this is a book that can help launch further research into this enormously rich area of study.

 

It is thus, with a great deal of pleasure, that I provide this simple introduction to a might subject.

Title: BIZEN SUKESADA

Cost:  $25.00 USD plus shipping and handling = $6.00 (USD)

Please send Postal Money Order, Bank Draft or PayPal made payable to Fred Fimio at: 39 Hodgson Drive, Barrie, ON  

L4N 7Z2  CANADA.

"The first English translation of one of the oldest and most authoritative texts on Musashi -- not another retelling, or reinterpretation, but a richly annotated rendition of a seminal text, till now only available in Japanese."

Title: Origins of a Legend

The Real Musashi

The Bushu Denraiki

by William de Lange

Miyamoto Musashi (c. 1584-1645) is the most revered and celebrated swordsman in Japanese History; unfortunately, from popular books, comics and film, with little heed paid to the early denki, chronicles that faithfully recorded what was passed down by those who knew Musashi.

The Bushu Denraiki is the earliest such record still in existence. Completed in 1727 by Tachibana Minehira, alias Tanji Hokin, the fifth generation master of Musashi's Niten Ichi school of fencing, it is the most reliable record of Musashi's life and exploits outside those from the hand of the master swordsman himself. Now, after three centuries, Minehira's insights into this solitary and enigmatic swordsman are available to the English reader. His text throws a new and refreshing light on many aspects of especially Musashi's early life -- his troubled relationship with his father, his first battle experience during Japan's period of unification, the sad death of his illegitamate child and of course, his legendary duel on Ganryu island. For those interested in the sword culture of Japan, this true story of its most iconic figure is essential reading.

Cost:  $39.99 USD plus shipping and handling 8.50 (CDN), $13.50 (USD), $21.50 (Int'l destinations)

Please send Postal Money Order, Bank Draft or PayPal made payable to Fred Fimio at: 39 Hodgson Drive, Barrie, ON  

L4N 7Z2  CANADA.

Title: Selected Poems 

of Frederick A. Fimio

Cost: $29.95 USD plus shipping and handling = $6.00 (USD)

Please send Postal Money Order, Bank Draft or PayPal made payable to Fred Fimio at: 39 Hodgson Drive, Barrie, ON  

L4N 7Z2  CANADA.

Title: "Art and the Sword" 

An Eight Volume (Volumes 5&6 are together in one book) set of the Journal of the Japanese Sword Society of the United States, devoted to the study and appreciation of the Japanese Sword and its related subjects. Approximately 900 pages, soft cover, Volume 1 -- 8 x 10, Volumes 2 through 8, 7 x 9.

Cost: All 8 volumes (Vol 5&6 are together in one book) for only $185.00 USD plus shipping and handling = $20.00 (USD) $60 (International

Please send Postal Money Order, Bank Draft or PayPal made payable to Fred Fimio at: 39 Hodgson Drive, Barrie, ON  

L4N 7Z2  CANADA.

There is an essence and a quality about scholarship that renews and inspires. In any field of study, it is scholarship that serves to transmit along a single generation of students, as well as from one generation to the next, the values, insights, culture and aesthetics which surround the field. In a field as specific and highly detailed as the Nippon-to, scholarship is the means by which the art form under consideration is preserved and protected. Scholarship is therefore, essential and the obligation of every student of the Japanese Sword. Scholarship need not, for every student, be manifest in published form, though such endeavors are more within every student’s means than most would suspect. Scholarship of care, open communication, curiosity, unselfish use of knowledge and mutual support and respect, however, is demanded of everyone who would aspire to be a real student. It is, therefore, with both pride and humility that this issue of "Art and the Sword" is produced. …(continues) 

Bruce W. Kowalski and James L. McElhinney 

Philadelphia, 1988

Title: "Sue-Koto: Japanese Swords of the 15^th and 16^th Centuries"  

This is a 692 page, Spiral bound, Two-Volume Set written by Yoshikawa Köen and others, it covers all schools of the Sue-Koto period. It was translated and compiled by, The Japanese Sword Society of the United States and with contributions from Gordon Robson. I highly recommend this important information.

Cost: Both Volumes for only $79.00 USD plus shipping and handling = $20.00 (USD) $60 (International)

Please send Postal Money Order, Bank Draft or PayPal made payable to Fred Fimio at: 39 Hodgson Drive, Barrie, ON  

L4N 7Z2  CANADA.

Title: "Kyomono no Ko-Meisaku" ("The Early Famed Works of the Kyoto Smiths")  

This full color illustrated, 141 page, soft cover book was written by Yoshikawa Köen, permanent Executive Director of the Nihon Token Hozon Kai.

Cost: $69.00 USD plus shipping and handling = $6.00 (USD)

Please send Postal Money Order, Bank Draft or PayPal made payable to Fred Fimio at: 39 Hodgson Drive, Barrie, ON  

L4N 7Z2  CANADA.

The 11th National Convention was held in Kyoto during late autumn of 1980. In commemoration of the Kyoto National Convention, we published this illustrated catalogue. … The contents … center on 30 early famed works by Kyoto smiths, and added to this are 40 swords selected from among the display items contributed by the Osaka-Kobe branch of the Nihon Token Hozon Kai. It was our plan in preparing this book for publication that we would use the most recent photographs and oshigata that have not been published in other sword books. It was fortuitous that we were able to collect six blades from the Imperial collection as well as blades that are comparatively unique. … "It is a good season for reading." This illustrated catalogue is just a trifling; however, if it is consulted …, I will be extremely happy. (continued) 

Yoshikawa Koen Nihon Token Hozon Kai 

November, 1980