# Japanese Swords and Armor: Samurai Masterpieces

Masterpieces: Japanese Swords and Armor is a 232-page illustrated book about weapons and armour associated with thirty notable samurai warriors and leaders. It pairs historical and artistic context with colour photographs of objects spanning the 12th to the 20th centuries, including eight double gatefolds.

- [Original product page](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/product/japanese-swords-armor-samurai-masterpieces)
- [View offer](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/japanese-swords-armor-samurai-masterpieces)
- Market: UK
- Language: en-GB
- Currency: GBP
- Category: Books, Music & Hobbies > Books, Music & Movies > Books & Comics
- Price: 25.83 GBP
- Previous price: 35.00 GBP
- Discount: 26%
- Price checked: 2026-11-12T14:56:55.221Z
- Rating: 4.9 / 5
- Reviews: 81

Prices and deal status are the latest recorded data, not a guarantee of availability. Confirm the price and availability with the store.

## At a glance

- Illustrated coverage of swords, fittings and armour associated with thirty samurai and Japanese leaders.
- The listed examples include a wooden sword associated with Miyamoto Musashi, a tachi worn by Tokugawa Ieyasu and armour belonging to Minamoto no Yoshitsune.
- Includes 200 colour photographs and eight double gatefolds, according to the listing.
- The described objects span the 12th to the 20th centuries.

## Pros

- Combines object photography with historical and artistic context in one volume.
- The broad period and range of featured warriors offer more than a narrow focus on sword-making alone.
- Customer feedback specifically praises the photography and the book's contextual content.

## Specifications

### Book details
- Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
- Publication date: 29 Nov. 2024
- Language: English
- Print length: 232 pages
- ISBN-10: 4805318384
- ISBN-13: 978-4805318386
### Contents
- Photographs: 200 stunning color photos
- Gatefolds: eight double gatefolds
- Historical span: 12th to the 20th centuries
- Featured subjects: thirty of the most famous warriors and leaders in Japanese history
### Dimensions and installation
- Weight listed: 1.47 kg
- Dimensions: 25.4 x 2.79 x 25.4 cm

## A good fit for

- Readers interested in Japanese swords, samurai history and arms and armour.
- Collectors or art-history readers looking for illustrated examples of historic Japanese objects.
- Readers who value photography and historical context alongside descriptive text.

## Less suited to

- Readers seeking a general history of Japan rather than a focused book on samurai weapons and armour.
- Buyers who need a lightweight book for frequent carrying, given the listed weight of 1.47 kg.

## Customer feedback

Customer feedback highlights the book's research, photographs, historical and artistic context, writing and presentation. The reported appreciation of lighting and camera angles is particularly relevant to a volume built around images of historic objects. Feedback also mentions the stitched pages. These are customer-reported impressions, not a guarantee of a particular print or binding experience.
- Positive themes: Customers describe the content as well researched and value the historical and artistic context.
- Positive themes: Customers praise the photographs, including their lighting and angles.
- Positive themes: Feedback also appreciates the writing and mentions the stitched pages.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the book about?
It presents swords, fittings and armour associated with thirty notable samurai warriors and leaders, with historical and artistic context.
### How is the subject illustrated?
The listing specifies 200 colour photographs and eight double gatefolds.
### What period does it cover?
The described objects span from the 12th to the 20th centuries.
### Is it in English?
Yes. The listed language is English, and the book has 232 pages.

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## Add-ons

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## Images

![Japanese Swords and Armor: Samurai Masterpieces — 1](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/i/CN0Fv1pIUKrFlhDIK9jwj1se0GqExc4AZsasUffMnpTBAlfxJyn6utYN42mGLU4YswxtYyzzTFoltYZeBIhl3orEiTcnQd5XlxHCzyySru-y_g6iwZTM.jpg)

![Japanese Swords and Armor: Samurai Masterpieces — 2](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/i/rhuwrHT7jxYnWmLuf5gP3whOEsfzm42HlNX_0gpWo3AZlpFQH2aEMW8n1r5FqtGmEf_HsMNhogmvfWgegUQiEF2Nvfb8Qbyr-BTaxsycsE_jPFSG_Xjk.jpg)

![Japanese Swords and Armor: Samurai Masterpieces — 3](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/i/8l5gCyyFgq86_kR954ewox8vT1KTF0RSgriX9eN1WRqyMtQZA6s9ENtkQ8WggDyEmXT_CIo6ODbmJmxqJIr18VAA_PPtbkwbxlyrK44ne18qZdfzhDKd.jpg)

![Japanese Swords and Armor: Samurai Masterpieces — 4](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/i/5Bln9HiJKgk3H6plaUk_VThToV-OI0IKxpYouo5epSQbm2NzXxhgtCfjCZRfdWNvzgaZHely4SIeLK6citNGH8-bACOoeMCaWX1TvNIGnHi9jhXjBlMF.jpg)

![Japanese Swords and Armor: Samurai Masterpieces — 5](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/i/ukzk3nmrrjnXwfkKMj3Cge7-QAzOPfstSPnpdj0JK5hE0K4-95XV6vJpM4hrzYFYTxcpOroH5YQgbbXQ4W_LGOhvS2KaWAKORpKJb-peF-G8ieker7lz.jpg)

![Japanese Swords and Armor: Samurai Masterpieces — 6](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/i/xkcLnAjbe2QXFuuIoBu4Evgbf1MQoFs_BEpBzqt7v2MFLTjlH-1O9SzXgAVzCgA02O7ARCM9pKWz7X9trCndqCQT7uZDHpM_F-0kFp7Bq8W8Ivy2Lca0.jpg)

![Japanese Swords and Armor: Samurai Masterpieces — 7](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/i/08XCZ3eSOyO4MvB5D92mSn24vy7Sw24KROdrtDzZFux-AS7V7pxYLZnnZWaUz9GcZJwjOiimIzOpYM6O2ZphKd1IaJgYyK3a70nRzUYEhm49r9On3cru.jpg)