Ninjutsu Gokui Hidensho Ito Gingetsu

Title Title Ninjutsu Gokui Hidensho
Publication year 1955
Author Gingetsu Ito

You will understand what Japanese people think of Ninjutsu in the early Showa period or in the Taisho period.

This book explains how to practice Ninjutusu(47~75page) or introduces a variety of Ninjutsu(110~154page).

Born in Akita prefecture(in Tohoku district),he was known for a novelist and a critic here in Japan.

In my opinion,Gingetsu Ito is not so famous as Seiko Fujita in the world.But he was an acknowledged expert on Ninjutsu in those days.He has published some books on Ninjutsu.

http://www.japanese-book.com/

Engravings on Japanese Swords Nihonto no Horimono

Title Engravings on Japanese Swords
Publication Year 1970
Author Sato Yoshiki and Nakamiya Yoshiro

The postscript to this book says,"Of numerous Japanese swords books,there are no one focusing only on engravings.I would like you to publish it.

It was one and a half years ago that the president of Kogei Shupan-Mr.Matsumura asked me to.In publishing it,my good friend Shibata Mitsuo gave me a lot of chips."

http://www.japanese-book.com/

Japanese Embroidery Imperial Embroidery Artist

Title Japanese embroidery
Author Mitsuo Akiyama
Publication year 1975

He has studied embroidery under Toshitaro Hirano,who is one of the most famous experts on Japanese Embroidery.
Later,he was in charge of the house of an imperial prince such as Her majesty or Michiko as an Embroidery artist.(Imperial Household Agency Embroidery artist)So it can be said that he is an acknowledged authority on Japanese embroidery.

Recommended Item!One of must-have books if you are interested in Japanese Embroidery.

*Japanese embroidery in Momoyama,Edo period
*My works
*Japanese embroidery explanation of material and tool
*various kinds of Nui

http://www.japanese-book.com/

Sawanoi Mamagotoya Collection:Combs and Ornamental Hairpins

Title Sawanoi Mamagotoya Collection:Combs and Ornamental Hairpins
Publication Year 1998

The foreword to this book says,"From luxurious gold-sprinkled maki-e combs to chic ornamental hairpins adorned with a single coral ball,hasir accessories accentuate the beauty of raven-black hair.Ornamental combs,hairpins and bodkins were the msot precious accessories treasured by Japanese women in the Edo period when various coiffures reached the stage of perfection."

http://www.japanese-book.com/

Inro Museum A Photographic Record of Exhibits

Title Inro Museum A Photographic Record of Exhibits
Publication Year 1990

It has 60plates of excellent Japanese Inro and Nestsuke in it.All plates are shown in full color.

The English foreword to this book says,"The sole inro museum in Japan,this institution was established in the spring of 1990in my hometown Takayama,which is closely connected with Edo culture.This museum,into which a storehouse constructed in 1888 was remodeled,has two stories and covers a floor space of some 330m in total.

It houses about 330 inro which I have collected for more than 30 years not only from collectors in Japan and abroad but also through auctions held in various countries.
I hope that this museum would help many people to have a true appreciation of inro as microcosmos of elaborate Japanese craftsmanship and to realize great enthusiasm with which craftsman in the Edo period tried to reach tie acme of refinement."

http://www.japanese-book.com/

Modern Japanese Embroidery Hirano Toshitaro Akiyama Mitsuo's son

Title Modern Embroidery
Publication year 1979
Author Toshitaro Hirano
Preface by Matsuda Gonroku A Living National Treasure.

This is a deluxe Japanese embroidery paltes collection by Hirano Toshitaro. Size 28cm*39cm

It is a good ref material if you are interested in Japanese mbroidery.

His father was an Imperial Embroidery Artist.
Toshitaro Hirano learned embroidery under him.

Mitsuo Akiyama,who was an Imperial embroidery artist,learned embroidery under Toshitaro Hirano.

In the preface to this book,a living national treasure Matsuda Gonroku says,"It can be said that he is a leading figure who expresses embroidery as art works of a very few embroidery artists.In this collective works,you can find new representations and will be fasinated by them"

http://www.japanese-book.com/

An American of Collection of Japanese Textiles

Title An American of Collection of Japanese Textiles
Publication Year 1989

The English foreword to this book,Fifi White says"When I began looking at Japanese textiles I had already been a weaver and collector of fabries for several years.My weaving had led me to appreciate Guatermalan tetiles and American indian objects for their color texture and wonderful surface patterns.

However,what I was discovering in Japanese examples of dyeing,weaving and printing was different-more sophisticated,more complex and with a wider design vocabulary.

Japanese textiles were more varied in their beauty and finer in material and technique than the earlier Guatemalan and American Indian pieces I had been collectiing.The more I saw,the more responsive I became to the finest examples and the more I wanted to have them to live with."

http://www.japanese-book.com/

A Kaleidoscope of Early Japanese Modern Kimono-An exhibition of Kosode Byobu

Title A Kaleidoscope of Early Japanese Modern Kimono-An exhibition of Kosode Byobu
Publication year 1994

This book was published as a pamphlet of Japanese Kosode exhibition by National Museum of Japanese History.Some pagesincluding foreword are written in English.

The English foreword to this book says,"Of particular note among the nearly one thousand items in the collection are a groupe of one hundred screens called "Kosode Byoubu" which were modeled after a type of early modern "fuzoku byoubu(screens of manners and customd)"known as tagasode byoubu.The screen depicts images of Kosode draped over clothes racks.But unlike Tagasode Byoubu,Kosode Byoubu actually incorporate portions of real Kosode collaged to the surface which are arranged to suggest the full effect of garment.Each screens consists of two panels,both of which are decorated with Kosode in such styles as Tsujigahana,nuihaku,Kanbun Kosode,Genroku Kosode,and Yuzenzome among others.The works focus on important examples of textile design from the Momoyama to the mid edo period"

http://www.japanese-book.com/

The Beauty of Japan BIOMBO/Japanese Heritage as Legend of Gold

Title The Beauty of Japan BIOMBO/Japanese Heritage as Legend of Gold

Publication Year 2007

This is a pictorial record of unique Japanese Folding Screens.Fortunately,it is written both in Japanese and in English.Recommended Book.

The English foreword to this book says,"

BIOMBO in Portuguese and Spanish is an equivalent of "byobu" in Japanese meaning folding screens. This exhibition spotlights Japanese folding screens, a long cherished interior decor and re-examines their history and roles in Japanese culture from a global perspective. The restored screens of which originals were presented to foreign governments or separately owned by various collectors will be among the features."

http://www.japanese-book.com/

The History of Kendo Yamada Jirokichi Nihon Kendoshi

Title The History of Kendo
Author Yamada Jirokichi
Publication Year 1955(reprinted edition)

This book is recommended by All Japan Kendo Federation.

The narrow book wrapper says,'Yamada Jirokichi was a leading expert on Kendo and was known as Sakakibara Kenkichi's best pupil.Also,he studied the history of Kendo.
It contains an accurate and informative history of Kendo.It is a required reading for those who want to be Kendo players."

Gold Leather KIn-Karakawa Fukushima Yoshiro and Kumeko

Title Gold Leather Kin-Karakawa
Publication Year 2003

The English foreword to this book says,"Japanese gilt leather or Kin-Karakawa is an original European craft,which was introduced to Japan in the Edo period(1603-1868)from the Netherlands.In Japan the leather was decorated with thin layers of gold or gold-colored materials.
In modern Japan,the technique is still used to produce a host of items including leather chairs,shields,cushions,handbags and wallets."

Contents
Intorduction to Japanese Gilt Leather(Kin-Karakawa)
Leather Craft in Japan
Color Plates
Works of Yoshiro Fukushima
Works of Kumeko Fukushima
Explanation of the Production Techniques of Kin-Karakawa
List of Works
Chronogy

The Quilt World of Hattori Sanae Japanese Quilt Designer Exhibition Catalogue

Title The Quilt World of Sanae Hattori in English

Publication Year 1998
Author Hattori Sanae

This is an exhibition catalogue introducing Hattori sanae's fabulous quilt works.

The English foreword to this book says,"There are many excellent reasons that Sanae Hattori is recognized today as one of Japan's leading quilt designers and artisans,as well as an acclaimed and innovative contributor to the fabric arts on the international level.She was one of the first Japanese quilt designers to combine traditional Japanese images  and needlework with western quiltmarking techniques."

Fukusa recommended by Iwao Saito,The founder of Kurenaikai

Title Fukusa

Recommended by Saito Iwao,the founder fo Kurenaikai

Iwao Saito comments on this book in the beginning;
'What I feel about these 50 Fukusa is that it is very fun to see these because there are many interesting designs, the romance of their stories and entertainment...'

This book contains 50 beautiful photos of Fukusa. So even if you don't understand Japanese, you will enjoy this book through many photos.
The size of this book is big enough to feel the beautiful and dynamic embroidery.

http://www.japanese-book.com/

Kombuin Embroidered Fukusa Important Cultral Property

Title Kombuin Embroidered Fukusa

The English foreword to this book says,"The temple of Kombuin 31 embroidered FUKUSA(cloth covering for gift) known as Edo fukusa,as well as Kombuin fukusa.The fifth Shogunof the Tokugawa line,Tsunayoshi used these fuksa to wrap the gifts he presented to his favorite concubineZuishun'in.His powe such that in those days,he retained the best craftsman in Japan to make new Fkusa in which to wrap all the gifts he gave her on various occasions,such as at the new year,at mid summer,and at year -end.This book contains only some of the tens of Fukusa Zuishun'in received from Tsunayoshi until his death at the new year in 1709."

This Fukusa is designated Important Cultural Property.

Please see the following page. Konbuin

"Garan" in this Konbuin were built by Enshu Kobori,who is one of the most famous masters of ceremonial tea together with Sennorikyu.Konbuin is located in Nara City.

 

http://www.japanese-book.com/

Vitnage Japanese Embroidery Book in 1931

Title Keitoteki Shishu no Seisetus

Publication Year Year 1931

Author Uemura Momoyo

Uemura Momoyo was a professor at Ochanomizu University in Tokyo and gave a handicraft lesson there.This book was published in 1931,that is over 80 years ago.Fortunately,it contains a number of coloful plates in it. 

If you are interested in traditional Japanese embroidery,it is a good ref material.

http://www.japanese-book.com/

Okinawaden Bubishi Otsuka Tadahiko,Higa Yuchoku,Miyagi Chojun

Title Okinawaden Bubishi

Tlanslator Otsuka Tadahiko

Foreword Higa Yuchoku

In the foreword to this book,the translator Otsuka Tadahiko says,"This Okinawaden Bubishi is closely connected with Goju-ryu Karatedo and has been copied ever since Miyagi Chojun obtained it.

I have been looking for the origin of Goju-ryu Karatedo because I wanted to obtained this Okinawaden Bubisi."

If you are interested in Goju-ryu Karatedomthis book is a must-have book.

http://www.japanese-book.com/