Japanese Sword References?

[Shawn Southern]

A German friend of mine has asked me to help him find a Japanese NCO sword (aluminum grip?) as these are much more common here. Since I know absolutely nothing about these, I must do my homework. Can anyone advise on the better reference books on these? Any help greatly appreciated.

Best Regards,

Shawn

[Geoff Ward]

Hello Shawn, If you have the cash to invest in a really good reference book that covers the spectrum of most of the Japanese swords encountered If you are lucky enough to encounter them! is Jim Dawson's Swords of Imperial Japan 1868-1945
If you are on a tight budget do visit this site http://ohmura-study.net/900.html there is a wealth of information and excellent photographs. The main thing is for your friend is to spend a little more and get a nice one that is matching and not a beater unless he just wants something to hang on the wall. Remember junk will always be junk! If he just wants a wall hanger the Chinese repros would be the cheapest way for him to go. Hope this helps Good Luck! G.

[Shawn Southern]

Thanks!

Geoff:

Many thanks! I will take a look for these books.

I appreciate all who've taken the time to respond and provide reference information. Thank you so much!

Best Regards,

Shawn

[pdawg1911]

I highly recommend Dawson's book as well. Be warned, once you read it, you may hooked into Japanese swords !

Regards,
Pat

[Shawn Southern]

Thanks!

Thanks Pat. I appreciate your input! Although my primary intent is to gain the knowledge necessary to find a nice example for my friend, these Japanese swords are a fascinating (and beautiful!) area of study; that I can readily see! I'm sure my wife would suggest that the last thing I need is yet another collecting interest, though. So this will (hopefully) be a strictly academic study. (I think.....)

Best Regards,

Shawn

[Shawn Southern]

Thanks

Thanks again to all of you. Last night I ordered a copy of the Dawson book and am now eagerly awaiting it's expedited arrival.

Best Regards,

Shawn

[Geoff Ward]

Enjoy!! and my apologies to your wife!

[Shawn Southern]

Book

Thanks Geoff....well, you might say we have an open marriage. She willingly allows me my "mistresses".....German militaria.....U.S. militaria.....and now - Japanese militaria. I am a lucky guy!

Best Regards,

Shawn

[Geoff Ward]

Shawn, Please be sure to memorize and practice this phrase until you can say it without thinking twice and with confidence." This?....Oh...I've Had this...." G.

[GHP]

Shawn, Please be sure to memorize and practice this phrase until you can say it without thinking twice and with confidence." This?....Oh...I've Had this...." G.

.... for years.



[Gee ... I thought I was the only one .......]

--Guy

[Shawn Southern]

Right!

Exactly!! Planting the seeds of self doubt can be highly effective. I certainly tried that on occasion with my first wife (hmmm...but maybe not so effectively...she is now my EX-wife).

If there's was no financial trail to be discovered, and the only concern is "one more tunic/cap/sword, etc. coming in the door" a preemptive strike can be good, also. You know...something like: With carefully packaged box in your arms (but containing only old garage junk that needs to be pitched) simply announce that you're heading to the post office to send off (fill in the blank...) to Bob in trade for that new (fill in the blank) which will be shortly arriving. A quick trip to the local dumpster and you're set!

But I can tell you guys are on top of your game and likely already have this one in your arsenal, too.

Shawn

[GHP]

....With carefully packaged box in your arms (but containing only old garage junk that needs to be pitched) simply announce that you're heading to the post office to send off (fill in the blank...) to Bob in trade for that new (fill in the blank) which will be shortly arriving. A quick trip to the local dumpster and you're set!

OOOOOOooooooooohhhhhhhhhhh ..... I like!!

I will remember this one. IF ever I buy anything ... again. Damn paper trails and a wife with PhD-level forensic skills. It is a challenge, men, to be married to a woman smarter than oneself.

I feel soooo HOMER sometimes.

~(_8(|)

--Guy