In this episode of the Books on Asia podcast, Amy Chavez talks with Paul Martin about his new book Japanese Swords and Armor: Masterpieces from Thirty of Japan’s Greatest Samurai Warriors.
Show Notes:
Paul Martin is a Japanese sword expert who has worked at the British Museum and traveled extensively in Japan to study swords and armor. Martin’s new book Japanese Swords and Armor covers 30 famous samurai warriors and their swords, armor, and other artifacts associated with them, each with its own historical and cultural significance. The book was originally published in both Italian and French, and is now available in English from by Tuttle Publishing (Oct. 2024).
Martin discusses the history and significance of Emperor Gotoba, who was exiled to the Oki Islands but continued making swords there. The swords he crafted were marked with a chrysanthemum, which became the basis for the current Imperial seal.
In this podcast episode, Paul Martin highlights some of the most notable pieces in his book, including a wooden sword made by Miyamoto Musashi and sword fittings attributed to him. Martin also provides recommendations on the best places in Japan to see historical Japanese swords.
Emperor Gotoba was known for his poetry, much of it written while in exile on Oki Island. One particular poem involves the poet banishing the frogs from a nearby pond:
“Frogs, croaking in the pond
Go away, banish your noise;
In this world of sorrow,
There’s no need for your song.” (translation generated from ChatGPT)
Gotoba was very sensitive to noises, and the frogs’ croaking disturbed his sleep. Apparently, the frogs have been silent ever since.
Martin also talks about the beginning lines of the Tale of the Heike, an epic that recounts the history of the late Heian period, including the life and exile of Gotoba:
“The sound of the Gion Shoja temple bells echoes the impermanence of all things; the color of the sala flowers reveals the truth that to flourish is to fall. The proud do not endure, like a passing dream on a night in spring; the mighty fall at last, to be no more than dust before the wind.” -_Helen Craig McCullough
Lastly, Paul Martin’s favorite books are:
1. They Came to Japan by Michael Cooper, a collection of Jesuit records from the 17th century.
2. The Tale of the Heike, (version translated by Helen Craig McCullough) a classic Japanese epic poem that reflects the concept of impermanence.
3. The documentary “The Emperor’s Naked Army Marches On” by Kazuo Hara, which explores the ambiguities of Japanese culture and the horrors of war.
Be sure to pick up his book: Japanese Swords and Armor: Masterpieces from Thirty of Japan’s Greatest Samurai Warriors.
You can follow Paul Martin by clicking on the following links:
Website: The Japanese Sword (thejapanesesword.com)
YouTube: Paul Martin: The Japanese Sword
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The.Japanese.Sword
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejapanesesword/
Twitter: @thejapaneseswrd (https://x.com/thejapaneseswrd)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejapanesesword/
Listen to this episode of the BOA podcast at this permalink, or subscribe
The Books on Asia podcast is produced and edited by Amy Chavez and Michael Palmer, and is sponsored by Stone Bridge Press, publisher of fine books on Asia for over 30 years. Amy Chavez is author of Amy’s Guide to Best Behavior in Japan and The Widow, the Priest, and the Octopus Hunter: Discovering a Lost Way of Life on a Secluded Japanese Island.
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