Japanese Arms and Armour
Book review:
There is some intriguing history behind the unique swords
and armour famously associated with the samurai of feudal Japan. This book provides
a distilled look at the evolution of these unique, sophisticated war gear.
If you have ever wondered how Japanese swords and armour were made and how they differed, then this book will provide for several hours of worth of answers. It is written mostly in a chronological progression, and the narrative traces the development of Japan’s armour and armament with reference to the timeline of events occurring in feudal Japan. Though slim in size, it easily contains enough information to occupy at least an evening of reading.
The metal blade of a Japanese sword was in fact composed of several different pieces of steel. The major constituents would correspond to the cutting edge, which needed to be hard, and the inner core of the blade which could be less hard and better at absorbing shock. Armour had to account for weight and complexity while contending with spear thrusts, arrows, swords and later also with gunfire.
Japan now strictly regulates and oversees the preservation of the artisanal skills required to produce a sword in the traditional manner. A measure that not only recognises the value and heritage of the metal-smithing disciplines involved but is also intended to ensure the continuation of the knowledge. The author of this book, Ian Bottomley, had a varied career before becoming a curator at the UK Royal Armouries museum. He commenced in the 1980s before being conferred with emeritus status in the mid 2000s. He has authored several books related to Asian traditional weaponry and armour.
Shelf 756.7 BOT
Japanese arms and armour
Ian Bottomley ; edited by Martyn Lawrence ; photography by Gary Ombler, Rod Joyce.
Leeds, United Kingdom Royal Armouries Museum, [2017]
96 pages : illustrations (chiefly color), color map ; 23 cm.
Text in English.
ISBN:
978-0-94-809279-4
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