Pre-order Price: $42.75

Save $2.25 (5%)

This title will be auto-delivered to your Kindle on October 29, 2024.
Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the authors

ポール マーティン
+ Follow
Paul Martin
+ Follow
See all
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Japanese Swords and Armor: Masterpieces from Thirty of Japan's Most Famous Samurai Kindle Edition

by Paul Martin (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
See all formats and editions
The first book to present the amazing swords and armor belonging to the most famous Samurai in Japanese history!

In Japanese Swords and Armor, Samurai sword expert Paul Martin presents scores of magnificent blades, fittings and armor from the 12th to the 20th centuries which belonged to thirty of the most famous warriors and leaders in Japanese history including:

  • A wooden sword commissioned and owned by Miyamoto Musashi, Japan's greatest swordsman; an exact replica of the sword he wielded at the legendary duel on Ganryu-jima Island
  • The tachi blade worn by Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the powerful unifier of Japan—which was later presented to the Meiji Emperor
  • The katchu (armor) belonging to Minamoto no Yoshitsune, hero of the Genpei Wars and later gifted as a votive offering to the Kasuga Shrine in Nara
  • The naginata (halberd) said to be the favored weapon of Tomoe Gozen, Japan's famous female Samurai, that was immortalized in the classic book Tale of the Heike
  • And many more!
These masterful works of art are presented in 200 stunning color photos including eight double gatefolds. Many of these objects, which rival the greatest military artifacts found anywhere, are designated national treasures or important cultural properties by the Japanese government and reflect their importance to the Samurai, their culture, and to the nation and people of Japan.
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Language
    English
  2. Publisher
    Tuttle Publishing
  3. Publication date
    October 29, 2024
  4. See all details
Next page
  Report an issue with this product or seller
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Paul Martin is a Tokyo-based Japanese sword and culture specialist who brings expertise from his tenure as a curator at the British Museum, where he managed the Japanese arms and armor collections. With a Master's Degree in Asian Studies, he's a Trustee for the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Sword Culture and founder of the Shin-Gobankaji Project. He is the first non-Japanese recipient and two-time winner of Tokyo's sword appraisal competition. Paul has translated for major Japanese sword exhibitions, authored key books and DVDs, and appeared on global TV networks from the Discovery Channel, to History Channel, National Geographic, NHK World, and the BBC.

In addition to his martial arts achievements, including being a three-time English Karate champion, 4th Dan Kendo, and 5th Dan Iaido, and Batto-jutsu practitioner, Paul plays pivotal roles in documentary production; he's the associate producer for "Art of the Japanese Sword" and executive producer for the award-winning "Forgive-Don't Forget." Notably, he's been recognized with the 2022 Scottish Samurai (Sir Thomas Glover) Taisho Award and the 2022 Shibusawa Eiichi Abacus and Analects Award for promoting Japanese culture worldwide, particularly Japanese swords. --This text refers to the hardcover edition.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CZ7GLSL8
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tuttle Publishing (October 29, 2024)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 29, 2024
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled

About the authors

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Previous page
  1. ポール マーティン

    ポール マーティン

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Paul Martin is a former curator in the Japanese section at the British Museum, London. He holds an M.A. in Asian Studies (Japan) from the University of Berkeley, California, and has resided in Japan working as a Japanese sword specialist for twenty years. A two-time winner of the sword appraisal contest in Tokyo, he is also a trustee of the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Sword Culture (NBSK), and a recognized specialist by the Ministry of Land Infrastructure, Tourism and Transport. He regularly presents Japanese swords on NHK Japanese Television and around the world, and has published several books and DVDs on the subject.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Paul Martin

    Paul Martin

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

    See more on the author's page
Next page

Customer reviews

No customer reviews

Report an issue

Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report