G'day,
> got another question for everyone, any good story books fiction or
> non fiction books about the samurai(besides the fiction "shogun"
> by james clavell and the non-fiction "47 ronin")...
Sure. Here is a stack of stuff from my "BOOKS" archive. BUT FIRST - I should say a thing or two about myself. I have collected Japanese swords for 35 years, which means of course a passionate interest in "the Samurai" and all things pertaining thereto - although I do not "do" martial arts. I was curious to see this new list and subscribed immediately. In what follows below, not all the words are mine. I have trawled through my voluminous archive to peel out the references below. I have more, but this will do for a start. If I have breached "your" list etiquette with too long a post please let me know...
Regards,
Barry Thomas
(Melbourne, Australia)
(1). "The Needle-watcher; The Will Adams Story, British Samurai" by Richard
Blaker, and published by Charles E. Tuttle Company. ISBN 0-8048-1094-x
0297-000333-4615. This is a more recent version, possibly an authorised
reprint. A copy I had some years ago was a 'second edition' published in
about 1934 but the details are not immediately to hand. I am tempted to
think that this book was Clavell's inspiration for his "Shogun". However,
"The Needlewatcher" is a better book by far.
==================================================
(2). "Unbeaten Tracks in Japan", by Isabella L. Bird, first published by
John Murray (Publishers) Ltd., 1971. A production of Edito-Service S.A.,
Geneva. Printed in Switzerland. Distributed by Heron Books. English
Lady's travels in Japan in 1879.
==================================================
(3). From: Randell Jesup
To:
nihonto@...
Subject: Nickerson book
Date: Wednesday, 14 May, 1997 12:35
I just found a few books I hadn't heard of before at the brand-
new www.barnesandnoble.com.
Any comments on any of these books? Are they worthwhile? Worth
the price? Any good info/pictures, or just repeats of other works?
"Art Book of Japanese Swords, Japanese Blades, Sword Mountings and
Metalwork" by James Nickerson, American Classical College Press,
1984 (paperback) $77.75
"Ancient Japanese Swords and Sword Fittings" by Albert Saifer, published
by Albert Saifer, 1983 (paperback). $20.00
"Hired Swords: The Rise of Private Warrior Power in Early Japan" by Karl
Friday, Stanford Univ. Press, 1996 (paperback) $14.95
"Court and Samurai in an Age of Transition; Medieval Paintings and Blades
from the Gotoh Museum, Tokyo" by Miyeko Murase et al, Japan Society Gallery,
1989 $25
"Decorative Hand-Guards for Japanese Swords" by Nakamura, Albert Saifer
publisher, 1983 $17.50
"Japanese Sword-Fittings and Associated Metalwork" by "Collections Baur
and B.W. Robinson", Viking Penguin, 1980 $265.00 (I take it this is NOT
the same as the much cheaper BW Robinson book that's recently out-of-print?)
(They have the Compton 100 Masterpieces book for $60)
"Swords of the Samurai" by Washington State University Press (editor),
1981, paperback, $14.95
Most of those are special-order books (2-6 weeks). Stuff that they stock
(including Yumoto, Yoshihara & Kapp, etc) they can ship in 2-3 days and
is often 20-30% off list price (including Yumoto and Yoshihara & Kapp).
Another interesting book I noticed was a translation of the screenplays
for the 7 Samurai and some other Kurosawa films.
==================================================
(4). There is a charming autobiography of an Edo period con man called
"Misui's Story" and published by the University of New Mexico Press. He
tells about hustling sword fittings and doing "mix and match" that truly
sound like the Chicago Show in the old days. High flown assertions of
the "art of the sword" and finger waving lectures about moral purity being
the base of sword appreciation might ought be balanced by this other reality
of sword appreciation.
==================================================
(5). the local antique bookshop has turned up a copy of "Rodrigues the
Interpreter " by Michael Cooper (Weatherhill. Tokyo 1974). The book is the
true life story of Joao Rodrigues who was a Jesuit priest and was the
interpreter for Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. This is an
interesting part of early Japanese history.
==================================================
(6). If you can find a copy in your library, get "They Came to Japan"
I do not remember the author, but it is a compilation of letters and
documents sent back from Japan up until the Tokugawa closed the country
down. The material is divided into various subjects, rather than various
complete letters. There are vivid descriptions of body mutilations, and the
opinion of some of the correspondents was that to know a Japanese was to
know an executioner. Remember, part of this period was during the Sengoku
Jidai, and at one, Kyoto was in ruins, and the Emperor was reduced to
begging with a bowl. If these accounts do not satisfy your blood lust
concerning the swords, nothing will.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
From: Eaglewerks <
eaglewerks@...>
Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2000 5:27 PM
------------------------------------------------
THEY CAME TO JAPAN
Michael Cooper
(Also Known as: They Came to Japan - An Anthology of European Reports on
Japan, 1543 - 1640.
Cooper, Michael S.J., Editor.)
Condition: Berkeley. Blue cloth, very good, index, notes,dj bibliography, 5
maps. An early perspective on Japan, based on primary documents and letters.
FIRST EDITION A fascinating work, covering the earliest visitors to Japan,
during the period of most activity, the 16th & 17th centuri- es. Covering
the full spectrum of Japanese life in terms of language, architecture,
etiquette, tea ceremony, dress, food and housing, weapons, art, literature,
Buddhism, Shinto, castles, law, cities, travel, temples idols, festivals &
fune- ralsand much more. A compendium of earlier times.
Format: Hardcover / First Edition / Dust Jacket
Associated Dealer: RARE ORIENTAL BOOK CO., ABAA, ILAB Aptos, CA
Our Price: $202.50
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From: Jim Kurrasch <
kurrasch@...>
Sent: Friday, June 16, 2000 4:21 AM
---------------------------------------------
Hi All,
I like the idea of a first edition but they can get pretty expensive
especially when one wants to read and study it. So Amazon.com also can get
this title for less than $20. However you may have to wait a couple of weeks for
shipping.
==================================================
(7). From: Phil Fellman <
phil_fellman@...>
To: <
token_kenkyu_kai@...>
Sent: Monday, October 30, 2000 9:52 AM
Subject: Re: Old Book on Japan [~email/books/17th cent books on
Japan.doc]
--------------------------------------
Hello Chris, Cary, Peter, Barry, Gordon and all:
I was looking through Japanese reference books in the Yale library stacks
with my friend, Hideki Takei, and we found a very interesting little two
volume edition (about 2" x5") from 1696 called "Ambassades des Hollandaises
vers l'Empereur du Japon" - that's French for "Dutch Embassies to the
Emperor of Japan". Does anybody know of this book, and whether there were
ever any more modern reprints? I just barely had time to glance at it
before pressing it on a reference librarian to place in the rare book and
manuscript library.
Cheers,
Shirogitsune
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From: <
SATCHO47@...>
Sent: Monday, October 30, 2000 11:56 AM
--------------------------------
Dear Phil:
It is my understanding that part of the special relationship that the Dutch
maintained with Shogunate whilst Japan was closed to others was an annual
report. It was through these reports that the Tokugawa kept abreast of
developments outside of Japan. Perhaps this book set is a record of such
report(s).
Sounds interesting. Please keep us informed should you go back for another
look.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From: Jim Gilbert <
jggilbert@...>
Sent: Monday, October 30, 2000 2:24 PM
------------------------------------------
Phil,
You may want to take a look at "The court journey to the shogun of Japan -
From a private acount by Jan Cock Blomhoff." Edited by F.R. Effert and with
annotation by Matthi Forrer. Published by Hotei in Leiden, ISBN
90-74822-18-5. While a bit later than your reference, it is related and is
another nice book from the people at Hotei.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From: Phil Fellman <
phil_fellman@...>
To: <
token_kenkyu_kai@...>
Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2000 3:07 PM
Subject: Re: Old Book on Japan
----------------------------------
Hi Jim:
Thanks for the note. What little I read of the book I mentioned was
pretty interesting but I was translating from the French "freehand" (no
Larousse by my side, although I suppose if I'd had more time, I could have
dragged that off the shelves too) and that made the reading really slow -
actually just a few glimpses but it looked quite detailed, descriptions of
clothing were particularly interesting, although old hat to us now.
==================================================
(8). From: Don Wagner <
DonW@...>
To: '
token_kenkyu_kai@...' <
token_kenkyu_kai@...>
Date: Tuesday, 3 February 1998 12:09
Subject: A naive look at the Samurai of a bygone era. [1863_edo.doc]
----------------------------------------------------------------
The following excerpt is from the November, 1863 issue of Harper's New Monthly Magazine. It is part of a lengthy article entitled "Pictures of the Japanese". While the article as a whole is extremely complimentary of all aspects of Japan's lifestyle, I found the following paragraph to be refreshing in a naive sort of way. I would love to see this article republished in its entirety.
"One of the first things which strikes us in our studies of street life in Yeddo is that there are two classes wholly distinct in manners, habits, and character. The official class, consisting of the nobles, with their throngs of idle retainers, and the common people. The retainers of the nobles, known as Samourai or Yaconin, are entitled to wear two swords. They are the perfect types of the Swashbucklers once so common in the European cities; swaggering, blustering bullies, usually drunk, and always insolent, loitering about the drinking houses, ready to give a thrust or a blow to any one who comes in their way, and especially prone to insult foreigners. They constitute the only dangerous class in Yeddo; to them is to be charged the long series of outrages and murders which have marked the history of foreign missions to Japan.
"The common people, on the other hand, are a remarkably good-tempered, quiet race; ingenious, industrious, and courteous always..."
Interesting? I can't help but wonder if the Samurai of a previous era would look upon these later "Samurai" as something of an anomaly. Is this the same group of guys who ushered in such concepts as being "insulted" if someone's scabbard touched theirs, and some of the other mannerisms emulated today as proper Samurai etiquette?
==================================================
(9). From: John Prough <
jop@...>
To:
nihonto@... <
nihonto@...>
Date: Wednesday, 7 January 1998 11:35
Subject: Re: Obit
On Wed, 7 Jan 1998, Leigh Olsson wrote:
snip
> Toshiro Mifune portrayed Tokugawa Ieyasu. Nobunaga and Hideyoshi were
> never Shoguns. Lady Mariko was based on Gracia Hosokawa and her father
> was Akechi Mitsuhide.
For those who are interested there was a nice little book published after
the TV mini-series by Univ. California Berkeley Press called I believe
"Learning from Shogun". It is a series of essays by Japanese history
scholars and one Elizabethan scholar comparing the "history" in Shogun
with real Japanese history. Very interesting, as I remember they thought
Cavell (sp) had done his homework, but had changed things for dramatic
purposes, though heaven only knows the real history was dramatic enough.
The Toranaga character was based upon Iyeyasu and the time frame of the
novel/series was the 6-8 months before Sekigahara. A big example of how
history was changed is the character of Mariko. This character certainly
is based upon Gracia Hosokawa, but her story is considered one of the 3
greatest love stories in Japanese history. Her husband Hosokawa so loved
his wife that he did not have her killed when Akechi killed Oda. Instead
he had her sent to a remote castle for 5 years. Out of sight is out of
mind, and when the political heat came down after Hideyoshi was totally
in power, the Gracia re-appeared in her husband's family. The prudent
thing for the Hosokawa to do would have been to kill her immediately.
After all the Hosokawa themselves could have been destroyed with such a
ready made excuse. This husband and wife love story is at complete odds
with the Shogun story. Then there was the problem that Gracia Hosokawa
is supposed to have become a Christian, but there is no record of her
ever even seeing a Jesuit from a distance. Her baptism was via one of
her ladies in waiting who was a Christian. There is no record of her
knowing any language but Japanese. But, Shogun is a rip roaring yarn
that certainly catches the flavor of Japan in 1600.
BTW the Blackthorne character is real also and based very nicely on Will
Adams. An example of Chavell (sp) homework: the name of the Dutch ship
was "Erasmus" in the novel. Adam's Dutch ship was called "Das Liefe",
but it had a different name earlier in its career as a ship--"Erasmus"!
John Prough
==================================================
(10). From: michael axelrod <midax@...>
To: nihonto@... <nihonto@...>
Date: Thursday, 8 January 1998 1:42
Subject: Books (was Obit)
Hi All,
Speaking of good reads, I just finished a book someone recommended to me at
last year's SF sword show when he saw me walking around with a reprint of
one of Hiroshige's 53 stations of the Tokaido series of prints (a gift,
BTW, from that notorious print bandit Prof. Shirogitsune).
Anyway, it's called Japanese Inn, by Oliver Statler (ISBN 0824808185), and
tells the story in a way reminiscent of the late James Michner of an inn
along the Tokaido, the famous road that connects Kyoto with Tokyo (Edo).
Spanning the time from the mid-1500s through the 1950s, he manages to
convey many of the important occurrences of Japanese history as they
touched the inn, including the rise of the Tokugawa shogunate and fall of
Takeda, Will Adams (mentioned below), the 47 ronin, Tesshu, Saigo,
Hiroshige and many more I can't remember.
The book also describes many aspects of day to day Japanese life during the
period.
I found a hard back copy in a used bookstore for $9, but Amazon sells the
paperback for $9.56. Not too much specifically about the sword, but a
wonderful book.
Anyone else read it?
Regards,
Michael A.
At 04:59 PM 9/7/97 +1000, Barry T. wrote:
>
>I thought a better read of Will Adams was in a book by an English(?) author
>in the early 1930s called "The Needle Watcher". It ought still be available
>in good libraries, although my copy (now lost due to a loan!) was originally
>found in a Church bazaar. It conveyed a better portrait of the times than
>"Shogun", and women in this book were firmly in their place and hardly
>mentioned at all. A very good read indeed.
>
>Barry Thomas
>(Melbourne, Australia)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From: JBoorstein <JBoorstein@...>
To: nihonto@... <nihonto@...>
Date: Thursday, 8 January 1998 7:10
Subject: Re: Books (was Obit)
Statler's book is a minor classic -- an unlike many other classics, major and
minor, quite readable and enjoyable. I used to push copies whenever we got any
when I used to manage a bookstore.
==================================================
(11). From: Stanley Planton <planton@...>
To: nihonto@... <nihonto@...>
Subject: Japanese Temple Geometry
Date: Friday, 17 April 1998 10:47
There is an article on Japanese temple geometry (1639-1854) in the May,
1998 _Scientific American_ (pp.85-91).
It indicates a very sophisticated understanding of mathematical geometry
and an ability to solve complex problems.
You can also find most of the article at:
http://www.sciam.com/1998/0598issue/0598rothman.html
==================================================
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