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The Art of Japanese Sword Polishing Hardcover – May 10, 2013

by Setsuo Takaiwa (Author), Yoshindo Yoshihara (Author), Leon Kapp (Author),
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 61 ratings
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To understand Japanese sword polishing is to understand the Japanese sword. Down through the years, the great sword connoisseurs in Japan have been sword polishers. A swordsmith can spend a large amount of time forging a classic sword, but refining and bringing out its final shape, color, and texture so that all the details of the steel and hamon (the temper line) are clearly visible is the responsibility of another craftsman—the sword polisher. An experienced polisher can tell immediately by whom a blade was made, so distinctive is each smith’s work and so vital is such knowledge to the skilled polisher.

The Art of Japanese Sword Polishing is the first book in English to examine in great detail the polisher’s techniques—skills it often takes up to ten years of apprenticeship to master. It illustrates the methods, materials, and tools used for this process. But the book’s true aim is to enable the reader to fully appreciate the beauty of a well-crafted Japanese sword. As readers learn both how the sword polisher enhances the beauty of the blade and how he handles the problems of coaxing out its finest qualities through polishing techniques, they will come to a deeper understanding of the fine art of making the Japanese sword and will be able to purchase or collect swords with greater pleasure.
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  1. Print length
    192 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Kodansha International
  4. Publication date
    May 10, 2013
  5. Dimensions
    7.9 x 0.7 x 10.6 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1568365187
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1568365183
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Book Description

This first book in English on centuries-old techniques is a must-have for sword collectors, knife makers, and weapons enthusiasts.

About the Author

SETSUO TAKAIWA is one of Japan’s top sword polishers and is called upon by museums around the world, from Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts to the British Museum, to help maintain their historic sword collections.

YOSHINDO YOSHIHARA is ranked among the top swordsmiths in Japan. His family has been making tools and swords for several generations.

LEON and HIROKO KAPP have studied Japanese swords for decades and are co-authors, with Yoshindo, of The Craft of the Japanese Sword and Modern Japanese Swords and Swordsmiths. The Kapps live in San Rafael, California. Yoshindo Yoshihara and Leon Kapp frequently lecture and give demonstrations in the United States.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kodansha International; 1st edition (May 10, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1568365187
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1568365183
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.87 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.9 x 0.7 x 10.6 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 61 ratings

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
61 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Gerald Kontos
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for any collector or student of Nihonto
Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2013
Verified Purchase
This is not a how to book. The first time I read this book, I had more questions than I found answers for. However, I continued to read and learn from other sources, along with studying my own swords and when I came back to this wonderful book and read it again from cover to cover that I truly appreciated all of the information that this has to share. Recommend highly for any enthusiast's library.
2 people found this helpful
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Kaden
5.0 out of 5 stars great read (also the only English one) if you want ...
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2018
Verified Purchase
Very detailed and explains everything about polishing perfectly, great read (also the only English one) if you want to learn more about this stuff.
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samurai_guy
5.0 out of 5 stars shows the reader the techniques used to polish a swords and the results that you would like to achieve for each step
Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2015
Verified Purchase
A very detailed book on the are of Japanese sword polishing...shows the reader the techniques used to polish a swords and the results that you would like to achieve for each step. One of only a handful of books on Japanese sword polishing in English! Highly recommended.!
2 people found this helpful
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Bookie
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book. Poor Shipping.
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2016
Verified Purchase
The book is excellent. It was not intended to teach as person how to polish, but does provide info about the various stones, equipments, and such. Still you can get enough information to start practicing until you can obtain proper instruction. The photography is very good and many sword components/terminologies are explained, as well as metal surface appearances. I feel it is a must for a serious student of the Japanese method of sword polishing. Unfortunately, my book was not protected in a box that was 20 times larger and arrived with the corners & pages bent and the cover torn in 3 places. Shame on Amazon.
3 people found this helpful
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Randal Kuwahara
5.0 out of 5 stars this book explains alot of great information,
Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2015
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this book explains alot of great information,,I just hope it doesn't get too many people ,confident that they can follow this as an instruction guide,.and ruin any really good swords.
One person found this helpful
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LF
5.0 out of 5 stars basic reference for sword polishing--
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2018
Verified Purchase
great reference and authority on sword polishing of the Japanese sword
2 people found this helpful
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Sheamus O'Reilly
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2013
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This book has to be the definitive book on Japanese sword polishing. A book that will last forever. After all, Yoshindo Yoshihara, was a part of it. It doesn't get any better.
2 people found this helpful
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The Worldly Traveler
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2018
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Product as described
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Top reviews from other countries

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Yoann
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect book about polishing
Reviewed in France on January 6, 2019
Verified Purchase
This books explains quite fully how to polish a Japanese sword.

Ce livre répond exactement à mes attentes en matière de polissage de sabre japonais.
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Tempest Frost
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on May 4, 2016
Verified Purchase
Great!
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Mark Slade
5.0 out of 5 stars Sword polishing techniques
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 16, 2016
Verified Purchase
Very nice hardback book , good condition and excellent subject matter . Well written with good but slightly dark pictures . Well worth the investment.
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Michael Mattner
5.0 out of 5 stars Übersichtlich und gut recherchiert
Reviewed in Germany on December 31, 2015
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Das Buch gibt einen Überblick über die Geschichte und Ausführung der japanischen Schwertpolitur. Dies wird vor allem anhand der Expertise lebender Politeure getan, daher ist das hier präsentierte Wissen sehr fundiert.
Interesant ist das Buch vor allem für eine Leserschaft die sich ohnehin mit Nihontô beschäftigt. Für jeden anderen ist der Wert eher gering. Auch wenn der Überblick der Politurtechniken und -steine umfassend ist, sollte keiner auf die Idee kommen nur mit diesem Buch das Polieren von Schwertern erlernen zu können.
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Senji Sen-Johns
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential for fans of Japanese swords
Reviewed in Spain on April 22, 2015
Verified Purchase
As a lover of Japanese swords I think the understanding and appreciation of a Japanese sword can not be complete without going into the details of manufacture. The polishing step is essential to value the work of smith and allows us to enjoy all the activities contained in the blade. This book helps us to undertand it easily
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