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Some initial, rough, research
From RTWhite on 7/7/2014 1:33:59 PM
I've tried to do some digging on this book. I purchased a copy of the winter 2009 Fretboard Journal (still available on their website) which has an interview with Mac Yasuda about the Tsumura Collection and what happened to it.
The article states that Akira Tsumura spent $3.8 million to have the books made, and that most were given as gifts to associates (as opposed to be sold directly to the public).
I contacted the U.S. branch of the book's publisher, Kodansha USA, Inc., to see if they had any documentation about the number of books produced. Below is the timely response I received.
"Unfortunately, that book was published so long ago we no longer have any recollection of how many were printed. A lot has changed over the years, including our personnel, title database and distributor, none of whom have any information about this book. In 2011 our editorial office in Japan closed down. When that happened I think a lot of the older files were lost permanently."
I keep seeing "2,500 printed" but I don't know where that number is coming from, and I haven't found it in the book. Does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks,
Ryan
7 Comments |
 | Banjohaven says:
7/9/2014 11:30:53 PM
Ryan
No Idea on that but somewhere in my head I have heard that as well.
I got mine from a pal in 1999 and I use it in the shop all the time, and take it to shows and let good players sign it and everyone else look thru it all they want so SHOPWORN, would be my condition!
I make errata papers, there are many things that need attention thruout the text, as we learn more and more that is as it should be so just stick in new stuff and add to the wonderful work.
I speak with a friend in Japan that is a good friend of Mr Tsumura, I have personal pics of him posted here on my page
4stringbanjos.com/Shuji-Tsumar...mura.html
If that link does not work, then you can go to my main page at 4stringbanjos.com, and scroll down to the Tsumara link.
I think he did the world a great service, at great expense and I thank him for the huge effort.
Vinnie
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 | RTWhite says:
7/10/2014 7:24:33 AM
Good stuff Vinnie. I checked out your page last week. I think I'd rather my book be shopworn. I'm so nervous about tearing a bit of a page or destroying the binding that 50% of my energy is devoted to NOT breaking it when I look at it.... feels like a new car... so much easier to enjoy after that first dent.
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 | KLR says:
7/10/2014 4:05:44 PM
Thanks for all that info.
I contacted a few book scanning services to see if they would be willing to create a PDF of the 1001 if I could get a hold of a copy via Interlibrary Loan; I'm certainly not rich enough to buy my own copy, what an apt title, $1 a page! I have my doubts these companies would be willing but who knows? Although the last one I emailed had this Yes/No question for me: "I am the author of the book, have a copyright clearance from the author/publisher, or the item is in the public domain: " None of these outfits state upfront that they won't work with copyrighted work; actually I kinda wonder what sort of books they are willing to work with. Aren't they being bombarded with copyrighted material all day long?
Tomorrow I'll get to see my banjo dealer's copy of the Red Book so there's that. Next week I get to test drive and maybe buy some old Paramounts and Silver Bells too, so July is officially Banjo Month for me. :)
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| Banjohaven says:
7/10/2014 7:57:59 PM
RT,
I was like you at first, barely moving the pages half open so as not to bend the backstrap! LOL
The best thing that I have gotten from it was that I got to know Tyler Jackson because of it.
He was 15 and at a 2001 banjo show in New Orleans I let him take it to his room for an all nighter and I had to leave early so left word I would come pick it up from him in Katy at his home and a friendship sprung up from there.
I'll always thank that Big Book for getting us together and doing our part to keep the 4 string banjo alive
Vin
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| RTWhite says:
7/11/2014 11:52:55 AM
I took it to my banjo lesson the first lesson after it arrived. Went through the five-string pages with my instructor who, in addition to really liking what he say, knew so much about the banjos.
There I was "I really like this hollow neck or cool inlay or the shape of this" and he's rattling off facts like "ah yes, this wasn't the typical inlay for this model...etc".
You can get really lost in that book. Of course, carrying the book (in the box... in a bag) with a good 12 lb banjo (in a hard case, in a case cover).... well that was my workout for the day!
I'm looking forward to the arrival of "Banjo: The Tsumura Collection (1920-1940)" next week!
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 | wwatson says:
7/23/2014 4:03:06 PM
Has anyone counted the banjos? Are there exactly 1,001 banjos (not photos)? :-).
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| RTWhite says:
7/24/2014 6:47:31 AM
I always wondered if the mandolins and the few guitars were included in that number. The brown book only lists around 600+ banjos, but I wasn't sure if that list was his collection or just the banjos in the book. I'll take another look.
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