Paul Martin, a British national living in Japan for more than decades is one of Japan`s most experienced experts on the country`s renowned 2000 year old sword culture. He will introduce Japanese swords followed by his latest book, Japanese Swords and Armor: Masterpieces from Thirty of Japan’s Greatest Samurai Warriors published in November, 2024. The book is a journey of discovery of samurai culture through the examination of valuable weapons and armor that belonged to thirty of Japan’s greatest samurai warriors.
Many of the objects are classified as Important Cultural Properties or National Treasures and are tightly guarded in many of Japan’s shrines, temples and lesser known institutions, therefore rarely seen by the public. The talk gives the audience a primer of how to understand Japanese swords as art, and cultural objects.
The book covers the entire span of the development of the samurai class, from the 10th to the 19th century, and offers a compelling journey into the minds and aesthetic sensibilities of the legendary warriors through a wealth of iconography with art images, exclusive photographs and life-size reproductions of some Japan’s most prestigious swords. A must-have work for all enthusiasts and experienced collectors, as well as for those approaching this fascinating subject for the first time.
Paul Martin is a world-renowned scholar of Japanese swords. 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 over twenty years. He is a former curator in the Department of Japanese Antiquities at the British Museum and is the first foreigner to be recognized as a sword specialist by the Ministry of Land Infrastructure, Tourism and Transport. He is currently a trustee for the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Sword Culture (NBSK) and a regular presenter on swords for NHK and NHK World, (The Beauty of Japanese Swords/Shumi Doki!) and has produced several books and DVDs on Japanese swords.
Doors open at 5:45 pm with a casual “meet the author/cocktail time” from 6:00 pm. Dinner will be served from 6:30 pm and the talk begins at 7:15 pm.
The menu is Cobb Salad, Chicken Grill Mustard Sauce, Bread, Today's Dessert, Coffee/Tea and One beverage of choice (orange juice, oolong tea, red or white wine, beer). A vegetarian option is available. Please inform the club of food restrictions when reserving. Price: 3,000 yen for members, 4,000 yen for non-members.
The member reservation deadline is 2 pm January 15, non-members must reserve and pay by Thursday, January 9, 2025. (Contact: front@fccj.or.jp)
Online attendance (Zoom) is available by reservation at 550 yen per person.
No cancellations after Sunday, January 12.
The talk will be in English.
Library, Archives & Workroom Committee