Book Description
The Japanese sword combines unbreakability, rigidity, and lethal cutting power, and it is in the resolution of these conflicting practical requirements that it emerges as a triumph of the forger's art. The mystique of the sword lingers on in our age of mechanized combat, but the aesthetic
qualities for which swords are most valued by collectors today-the liveliness of the metal "skin," the confidence in every aspect of the design, the scrolling temper-line, the almost buoyant lightness of the hilt when the blade is held in the hand-all derive from what the Japanese sword demanded as
a symbol of strength and as a weapon. As an instrument of clear persuasion, no other blade anywhere has ever been its equal.
This volume, containing color and black-and-white plates, has been prepared as an introduction to the history and appreciation of the Japanese sword. Its author, until his death in 1978, was one of Japan's foremost sword experts, and his wide knowledge is here brought to bear on every aspect of
sword lore, including forging techniques and problems of appraisal. Looking over the 1,500 years of sword history in Japan, Kanzan Sato notes how the major developments-the shift from the early straight blades to the tachi, which were longer curved blades slung edge downwards at the waist, to the
familiar daisho pair of short and long swords worn by samurai until modern times-were the result of both technical innovation and changed fighting techniques. He examines the various fashions in sword mounts and the at times precious, highly decorated work of the smiths who specialized in sword
guards, or tsuba, during the Momoyama and Edo periods.
The centerpiece of this book, however, is a detailed examination of over a dozen of Japan's most revered blades, including the Kanehira and the Dojigiri by Yasutsuna, perhaps the two finest swords in Japan and as clear and beautiful today as when they were forged some 900 years ago. The discussion
of what makes these blades special and how they have been passed down for generations offers the reader a wealth of insight into the sword in Japan as heirloom and cultural treasure.
Customer Reviews:
Sword Guru.......2007-07-17
This book is exactly what the title says it is. It truly is a comprehensive guide to various japanese swords detailing the types and nomenclature of the swords.
very good.......2007-02-08
i loved this book it gave me all the information i needed on the art of the japanese swords.
EVERYBODY CAN LEARN ABOUT JAPANESE STEEL WITH THIS BOOK.......2006-03-17
IF YOU COLLECT JAPANESE SWORDS YOU MUST HAVE THIS EXCELLEBT BOOK
The Japanese Sword; K.Sato.......2004-09-14
An excellent introductory book. Pictures were of high quality which was surprising since they were not digital quality.
Definitions were clear and the glossary of terms was excellent.
A standard in any nihonto library!.......2004-01-14
The pictures in this book are stunning! A real tribute to the sword and their beauty. This is a great book for someone who is just beginning their study in nihonto, or for anyone who enjoys the awesome creations that man has achived, before the days of electricty and the power tool!
Wonderful book!
Customer Reviews:
Caveat emptor..............2007-08-11
As someone who's spent the last 35 years uncovering and writing about my own past lives, and studying how the karma from each of them has played out in the events and relationships of my present life, I can say definitively that this book (Life Between Life) is of little relative value. If you really want the inside scoop on what happens between incarnations, please check out Dr Michael Newton's extraordinary trilogy, "Journey of Souls," "Destiny of Souls," and "Life Between Lives" (not to be confused with this work with a similar title).
After uncovering three of my own historically identifiable, though far from famous, past personas, I was, like many others, still frustrated that neither I, nor any of the writers I had consulted seem to be able to throw any light on the issue of what happens to us between lifetimes. And while this book promised to deliver the goods, it failed. It actually gives scant attention to the topic, its title notwithstanding.
But then, I discovered the works of Michael Newton, arguably the most important and most fascinating accounts of this entire genre. By directing the focus of his subjects away from their subconscious and toward their super-conscious, it seems Dr Newton succeeded in accessing a spiritual dimension previously untapped by the vast majority of researchers in this field. Once there, he was able to painstakingly document over many years what is undoubtedly one of the most comprehensive, detailed and believable models of what takes place in the afterlife anyone has ever put forward. Most importantly, it portrays in very convincing terms just how each of us goes about planning and designing our future lives. And once we absorb such a concept it becomes difficult for anyone to fail to take responsibility for their own lives, even with all its challenges and disappointments.
As fate would have it, I discovered Newton's works just after reading "Same Soul, Many Bodies" by the prolific Dr Brian Weiss. In it he discusses his experiences with "future life progression" as a technique for inspiring and motivating patients to change the directions of their lives by revealing the potentialities awaiting them in future incarnations, if they can just make the right choices in the here-and-now.
Comparing the claims of Dr Weiss with those of Dr Newton seemed to leave me with something of a paradox, which was namely this: If Dr Newton was correct that when we die we return to the spiritual realm to take on the work of planning and designing our next life, how would it be possible for Dr Weiss to explore our future lives while we are still alive, since the planning process had not taken place yet?
To resolve this conundrum I decided to have a chat with my spirit guide, Prakash. He first reminded me that linear time is only an operable construct in the physical dimension, and that from the perspective of the spiritual realm all physical incarnations co-exist simultaneously in a moment of eternity. Therefore, it follows that all those between life episodes that Dr Newton describes likewise exist in that same simultaneous eternity. The only reason is seems confusing is because Dr Newton is exploring and reporting what appears to be a linear sequence of lives and their related planning episodes, which necessarily skews his perspective due to his viewing the information from his location here in this dimension of linear time.
This gave me an idea. From all of my past lives that I have explored over the last three decades, two have stood out as closely related, even though they were separated by 700 years. The first was my life as Genghis Khan's nephew Yegu, and the second was my life as Field Marshall Count Helmuth von Moltke (the younger), nephew of von Moltke (the elder), his uncle and namesake, the military genius and hero of the Franco-Prussian War who helped Bismarck unite the German Empire. In the first life the plan for me to succeed my uncle Genghis failed, but in the second I did succeed my uncle as Chief of the German General Staff prior to and during the initial phases of WW I. As you might suspect, von Moltke (the elder) was a reincarnation of Genghis Khan.
What occurred to me is that exploring the planning stages of these two incarnations in tandem would provide a rare opportunity to see this whole planning process at its most complex. Fortunately, Dr Newton's third book, "Life Between Lives" was designed as something of a do-it-yourself training manual for just such explorations. So I guess that will be my next project.
Maxwell Austin van Lack, Author of The Vortex: A True Story of Passion and Karma
"Metapsychiatry" for the "New Age".......2005-12-12
I got this because I was curious what co-author Joe Fisher had to say after I read that he went on to commit suicide by hurling himself from a cliff, and also to see what may happen after death, if there should happen to be some kind of afterlife. However, I was disappointed as this book consists of 100 pages of pro-reincarnation propaganda followed by 6 "Karmic Case Studies" and a guide to visiting the "Akashic Records". With regard to the "between life" state, all that would appear to happen is boring stuff like some nice music and nice lights followed by an interview with a panel of 3 characters who review your life before telling you to go back for another incarnation with fresh Karmic lessons to learn.
Anyway, this book convinced me that the theory of reincarnation is an absolute joke. For starters, all the "past lives" experienced by those mentioned in this book were lived on Earth. A simple glance into the night sky might hint as to the vast number of stars there are. I would expect, just occasionally, that someone would have had a past-life on a different planet, but no. I've now started to read Joe Fisher's Siren Call of Hungry Ghosts and he mentions a past-life regression there in which an English seamstress who gave birth to 13 children before dying in 1796 was reborn in India where he/she died before the age of one in 1802. Now, according to "Dr" Joel Whitton, "PhD", "MD" before someone's reborn they are given some kind of challenge to balance their Karma. If someone dies before the age of 1, what chance have they got of doing that?! After dying as a baby, this person was later reborn in Czechoslovakia before World War 2 and was executed by the Germans as a teenager after serving in a Nazi labor camp. So, if people like "Dr" Whitton are to be believed, then presumably this unfortunate person didn't balance his/her karma before dying as a baby in India?!
"Dr" Whitton's "past-life regression therapy" techniques sound quite traumatic. For example, during one session mentioned the "doctor" became concerned that his patient's contortions during the process might have caused a heart attack. Other symptoms include feelings of nausea and of being "severely shaken". One subject is mentioned as emerging from the trance state overcome with feelings of guilt for having murdered someone in a "previous life". In one case study, "Dr" Whitton dabbles in the controversial area of recovering "memories" of abuse suffered by someone from earlier in their present lifetime.
To back up their claims for the veracity of "past life regression therapy", the authors state that during "regression" the subject started talking in another language and that because they didn't know that particular language then it can't have been their imagination. Maybe not. The possibility exists then that what people like Whitton are doing is a some kind of voodoo work, in which the subject goes into a trance state and becomes possessed by a "hungry ghost". So perhaps a more appropriate term for the kind of activity in which people like Whitton engage would be spirit channeling or demonology.
I think what I found especially odious about this book was the way that it sent the message that if anything bad happens in a person's life then it's because of "karma" and that people should follow the advice of "Jesus" and "love one another". Brief mention is made of a woman who saw a "past-life" "therapist" after being raped and was told that this had happened because of a "karmic decision" made during her "inter-life state". Still, I suppose this is one way of keeping a population docile. If anyone complains about his of her lot in life then the advice is that it was their karmic destiny to be in this situation and that they should be like "Jesus" and "love one another".
A Ground Breaking Book.......2004-04-30
This is the first book that deals extensively with life on the other side between reincarnations. I also admire the authors' writing skills: the stories told in this book are very touching. I am wondering why the authors did not write more on Whitton's valuable research.
This book is deeper than many other books on reincarnation. But the two recent books by Dr. Michael Newton "Journey of Souls: Case Studies of Life Between Lives" and "Destiny of Souls: New Case Studies of Life Between Lives" are much more comphrensive and unbelievably revealing. Another first-class book is Bryan Jameison's "The Search for Past Lives: exploring reincarnations's mysteries & the amazing healing power of past-life therapy". Even though it does not deal with life between lives, it is really fascinating and a must-read for anyone who is interested in reincarnation.
Let the journey begin..........2001-04-14
As someone who deals in life, death, and quality of life issues on a daily basis... I have always been fascinated by what lies beyond. This book took me deeper than I have been before and led me to think about issues in a different light.
I have always wondered why some people are born into luxury, and others famine- some into health, others in bodies that can't even last through childhood.
In seeing that these circumstances could be the result of our own choice, for a spiritual goal, It helped me to deal with my everyday frustrations about the inequalities we see around us.
This book was fasinating, and thought provoking.
OK, but..........1999-12-18
This book is fine for people new to the topic. It details how events in past lives affect what's happening in the current one. Has only a smattering of info about life BETWEEN lives. Also tells of famous cases historically. But if you've already read very much on the subject, read Journey of Souls by Michael Newton (and see the reviews), which tells ALL about life between lives.
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Charles Worthen: Silicone
Joel Fisher , and
Charles Worthen
Manufacturer: Hatje Cantz Publishers
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ASIN: 3775790292
Release Date: 2000-09-02 |
Book Description
Artwork by Charles Worthen. Contributions by Gabriele Rivet. Text by Joel Fisher.
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Fisher, Joel
Museum of Modern Art Oxford , and
Joe Fisher
Manufacturer: Hyperion Books
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ASIN: 0905836022 |
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The Hidden Hardy: A Re-evaluation of Thomas Hardy's Prose Fiction
Joel Fisher
Manufacturer: Palgrave Macmillan
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0312057873 |
Book Description
Focusing on narrative structure, irony, satire and allusion, The Hidden Hardy offers a radical new perspective on Thomas Hardy's novels. Hardy's own accounts of himself and his work have long been seen as calculated impostures; it is argued here that the same qualities are not only present in his novels, but are critical factors in the way they are made. The respectable and acceptable surfaces are the impostures, masking hidden texts which are extremely hostile to established social, economic and cultural structures.
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Father Knows Zilch: A Guide for Dumfounded Dads
Linwood Barclay
Manufacturer: Stoddart
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0773758089 |
Book Description
Here's a great way to improve your picking, build up speed and stamina, and get those licks and solos working - no matter what instrument you play! Whether you are a professional or a "parking lot" player, these fabulous sessions will get your fingers in shape - fast! On the four CDs, you have a dedicated bluegrass band on the right speaker to give you solid back-up to 49 great tunes, both slowed-down and up-to-speed. The lead part can be heard in the left channel.
Customer Reviews:
great for practice.......2006-10-23
i needed to learn more tunes and practice my flatpicking. this book and the 4 cd's are perfect for both. short songs, but you can put it on repeat and go forever. i can see a huge improvement in my playing after only a few weeks of this.
Great for intermediate players.......2005-05-26
Steve Kaufman's Four Hour Bluegrass workout introduces 50 fiddle-type tunes. For each tune, the CDs contain a slowed down version, which I found a great way to learn the melody. Then the band kicks it up a notch to full speed. Some are fairly easy to follow along with and some are blazingly fast...a workout indeed. The melody of the entire tune is played once, then the accompaniment is played twice. I found that playing the chords the first time and then the melody the following two time was an excellent way to learn both parts.
Many standard fiddle tunes are included, with straightforward arrangements, often in the style that is common at jam sessions. Learning these tunes provides a great basis for jumping into jams with other players.
Beginners may find even the chords difficult at times, while advanced players are likely to know many of the tunes. I highly recommend this product to intermediate players looking to learn new tunes and to build speed and technique.
Book Description
Here is a foolproof system for banjo pickers that will help build stamina, power and confidence. Steve Kaufman and Bennie Boling play through 49 classic bluegrass tunes - slowly, then up to speed - so players at all levels can play along. With the rhythm on one channel and the solo banjo on the other, these CDs make for an invaluable practice tool for players at all levels. FOUR CDs * INCLUDES CHORDS TAB BOOK * LEVEL ALL
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The Body: Critical Concepts in Sociology
Manufacturer: Routledge
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ASIN: 0415266645 |
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The American Fund for Public Service: Charles Garland and Radical Philanthropy, 1922-1941 (Contributions in Labor Studies)
Gloria Garrett Samson
Manufacturer: Greenwood Press
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0313298734 |
Book Description
This study examines one organization from the radical left of the 1920s and 1930s: the American Fund for Public Service. Little known today, but infamous in its time, the American Fund represented a united front of anticapitalists--anarchists, socialists, communists, and left-liberals--which attempted to revitalize the left in order to end capitalism and, therefore, war. Financed by Charles Garland, an eccentric, 21-year-old Harvard dropout, the Fund performed the difficult task of allocating relatively meager resources among the most "promising" radical ventures, typically militant labor organizations. The philanthropy's directors represented a who's who of the labor left of the period: Roger Baldwin, Norman Thomas, Scott Nearing, James Weldon Johnson, and more. The fund anticipated philanthropies later in the century which meant to challenge the status quo beyond reformism. This study will be of interest to scholars of labor relations, radical politics, American history, and philanthropy.
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