Japanese Sword-Mounts. A Descriptive Catalogue of the Collection of J. C. Hawkshaw
London: Privately printed for J. C. Hawkshaw, 1910. First edition. Hardcover. Folio. xxvi, 300pp. 50 (L) plates. Original ochre cloth with red lettering on cover , black and red lettering and ruling on spine. Red top edge. Frontispiece with tissue guard. Title page printed in red and black with publisher's device. Contain list of fifty plates, numerical index at front and bibliography at front.
"The collection catalogued in the following pages was begun in the early(1880's) Eighties, and grew until some six or seven years ago; it was never intended to represent in a dogmatic manner the chronological development of sword furniture, nor to embody the classifications and ideas propounded from time to time by various earnest writers and sometimes by self-styled experts. Its owner selected whatever pleased him whether from the standpoint of workmanship, or of design, or because the nature of the metal, its colour and, generally speaking, the caractère of a piece attracted him.
To those who collect the point of view workmanship, the period is immaterial, and the Japanese themselves attach more importance to good work than to a date. In Japan, however, the date, when a piece is genuine, is usually vouched for by a number of certificates or origin called "orikami," or by notices of ownership which accompany it. These, when present, undoubtedly enhance the interest and value of the fitting, sword, or piece of lacquer or pottery, etc., to which they belong, but they were often forged even in olden days.
The following introduction is not intended for the older collectors who have studied sword furniture; it has bee written rather for those who have not yet gone deeply into the subject... it being my purpose here merely to give an outline of the evolution of sword furniture, and a rapid survey of its techniques." (Introduction).
Illustrated with fifty plates depicting details of the Hawkshaw collection, all with printed tissue guards numbering each item from the collection. Printed errata page pasted to front free endpaper and corrections are transferred by hand onto printed tissue guards in block. Binding with light wear along edges and lightly rubbed; minor staining on back cover. Very good condition. Item #50113
Price: $850.00