BOOK REVIEW
MEIHIN KATANAEZU SHUSEI By Tanobe Michihiro
This book is the antithesis of a Japanese sword "pocket-book" and would probably be better described as a coffee-table book, the only problem being that because of its huge dimensions, it is unlikely you would ever have room for any coffee on the table! The actual dimensions are 20.5 inches high by 14.5 inches wide. It comes in a slip cover and a box. All pages are on high quality gloss art paper and visually well laid out and pleasing. Mr Tanobe of the NBTHK is well known to many Western collectors. Those familiar with To-ken Bijutsu, the NBTHK's monthly Japanese language magazine, will know the gate fold oshigata in each issue. These oshigata and explanations always feature top quality swords and the oshigata are magnificently drawn by Mr Tanobe himself. It is these beautifully drawn oshigata that are featured in the book under review, many accompanied by photographs. Included are no less than 32 Kokuho (National Treasures) 64 Juyo Bunkazai, 54 Juyo Bijutsuhin as well as others of slightly less rank. One of the advantages of the size of the volume is that tanto are able to be reproduced as full sized although obviously daito are reduced in size. As all swords are "famous", most, if not all, appear in other publications. However, once again I must emphasise the great quality of the oshigata that arguably give one the best opportunity of studying the many features of these swords without being able to actually handling them. Whilst I understand that a seven page English transliteration of the names, dates and ranking of each sword is available, my copy came without this addition. Published in Japan by Otsuka Kogeisha the Japanese language book is priced at about Yen 42,000 (including post and packing to the UK). The problem is that it was sold out prepublication and that for some reason, it was a limited print order of only 600, all of which are individually numbered. It is unlikely that you will be able to obtain one in the near future but I would advise you to grab one with both hands if the opportunity presents itself. I further understand that in the US the book already has an expected "street value" with a 30% premium and are expected to be double the issue price within 5 years! So much for supply and demand.
Reviewed by Clive Sinclaire
Copyright ©2000 Clive Sinclaire. All rights reserved.
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