For Japanese art enthusiasts：

‘Katanagake’, the result of lengthy and detailed research by Itō Mitsuru, explores these items through a catalogue of 213 beautifully photographed sword racks from more than 30 museums, shrines and temples. Indeed examples come from such notable museums as Tokyo National Museum, The Sword Museum (Tokyo), Nezu Museum (Tokyo) and the Tokugawa Art Museum (Nagoya). Of the 213 examples, 133 are from museums, shrines and temples. Indeed, the author believes this book includes almost all the masterpieces of sword racks owned by institutions and private individuals in Japan. Included are historic katanagake once owned by Hideyoshi, Ieyasu and notable daimyō families including the Owari, Kishu and Mito branches of the Tokugawa, and the Mori, Maeda, Shimazu, Hosokawa, Uesugi, Ii and Date families as well as the Imperial Household. As a result the book illustrates and describes sword racks owned by Shoguns, daimyō, tea masters, late Edo radical samurai and early Meiji business magnates. 

A softcover complete English translation including a substantially extended glossary is available to purchase. The translation is of the entire book including every katanagake description. 

Translated by Rei Itoh & Mark Radburn.

Size: A4 ( 29.7 x 21cm), black & white 92 pages, Price: ¥10,250

(The translation price is limited to orders received in 2024, and next year the price will revert to the standard price of ¥12,500.)