“Tosogu Classroom”
By Fukushi Shigeo
Translated by Markus Sesko
The American Branch is pleased to announce that in cooperation with the European Branch of the NBTHK and the Japanese Sword Society of the United States that the translation of Mr. Fukushi Shigeo’s monthly articles that appeared in the Token Bijutsu over a period of eighteen years have been partially translated and will be sold to members in five volumes entitled “Tosogu Classroom”.
The first volume is now available for sale. It is hardbound, 8.5″ x 11″, will contain more than 500 pages of text with hundreds of black and white pictures and will include an introduction to fittings, materials, design, surface treatment, carving, inlay, coloring, early tsuba (both iron and kinko) and the beginning discussion of artists and schools who worked in iron, going into great detail on the artists and the work they produced. Volume 2, 3 and 4 will also contain more than 500 pages each with Volume 2 continuing the discussion of iron and Volumes 3 and 4 covering kinko. The 5th Volume will be approximately 350 pages with illustrations in color.
These volumes are being sold to members at the actual cost of producing the books with the translation being paid by the AB/NBTHK, EB/NBTHK and JSS/US as a benefit to their members. Considering the number of pages and pictures each volume will contain, the discounted price is extremely reasonable and either individual volumes or the complete set of five will be a vailable addition to your library.
As mentioned, the first volume of the five volume set is available now. The second volume should be available for sale at the beginning of next year and the remaining three volumes at the end of next year (2017). The cost of each of the first four volumes is $40.00 and the fifth color volume is $80.00 for a total of $240.00. The volumes can be purchased individually, or as a complete set. Shipping cost for each volume within the United States is $4.00. Volumes purchased are limited to one complete set (all 5 volumes) per member. Volumes will be made available for sale to non-members in March 2017 at the retail price, i.e. $60.00 for each of the first four volumes and $120.00 for the fifth color volume.
To place your order, please get in touch with Markus Sesko at markus.sesko@gmail.com and mention your preferred method of payment (PayPal, check, wire or credit card is possible with a 5% processing fee for credit card purchases).The time for processing each order is expected to take one day after it is placed.
If you have any questions about placing the order, the cost, method of payment or content of each volume, you should email Markus Sesko at markus.sesko@gmail.com.