BOOKS AND CATALOGUES ON TSUBA & SWORDS
"Sotheby & Co. Catalogue of the Bradford Collection of Tsuba.
London: Sotheby & Co., 1975. First edition. 68 Pages, illustrated in black and white. 500 lots. Sale held on 20th May, 1975. Prices realised stapled in to inner front cover.
Sasano Masayuki. Early Japanese Sword Guards: Sukashi Tsuba.
Tokyo: Japan Publications, 1972. First Edition. 284 Pages, profusely illustrated in colour and black and white. A landmark text by a noted Japanese authority on tsuba. Starting with 26 pages considering the historical development of tsuba and the major schools, Sasano presents a solid foundation for the selected examples that follow. 216 Examples are shown; one example per page supported by assessments which include the author's insight on aesthetic qualities - an important consideration for understanding artistic works. Care and preservation are also addressed.
Joly, H. Shosankenshu - Henri L. Joly's List of Names and Kakihan - Supplementary of Hara's Die Meister Der Japanishen Schwertzieraten.
London: Holland Press, 1963. Reprint. 256pp.Names and handwritten seals of 2950 Japanese metalwork artists. Important reference work for the collector and scholar of the Japanese sword. First published in 1919.
Joly, H. Japanese Art & Handicraft.
London: Sawers - Valansot, 1976. Second edition. 214 pages and illustrated throughout. Wonderful reprint of the scarce original from 1916.
Joly, H. Legend in Japanese Art.
London: Tuttle, 1973. Reprint. 623 Pages, 15 colour plates, over 500 illustrations. Bibliography and index. Reprint of 1908 edition. Invaluable for the identification of subjects in Japanese art. Contains descriptions of historical episodes, legendary characters, heroes and gods, folklore, myths and religious symbolism found in prints, paintings and other arts of Japan. An important reference. Good clean firm copy in protective Mylar cover. Also see our copy of People, Places & Things in Joly's Legend in Japanese Art by Tompkins, an invaluable reference for using this book.
Ishi. Das Japanische Schwert.
Tokyo. 1979. 671 Pages.
4 Auction catalogues 1970’s Sotheby’s & Christies on Japanese swords, armour and sword fittings."