Japanese Sword Books

The Japanese Sword, Kanzan Sato
Japanese Arts Library
A wonderful book that outlines the history and construction of the swords. It features many of the treasure blades in clear photographs.

Japanese Swords, Nobuo Ogasawara translated by Don Kenny
Hoikusha Publishing Co.
This books comes in small handbook format, but has good photographs and is a handy guide

The Arts of the Japanese Sword, B.W. Robinson
Faber and Faber, London
This book details the development of the sword and gives a brief history of the various schools that developed. It also features excellent photographs and useful appendices.

The Craft of the Japanese Sword, Yoshindo Yoshihara
Kodansha International, Tokyo and New York
A detailed account of the craft and making of Japanese swords and fittings. This is an excellent book by one of the leading smiths in Japan.

The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords, Kokan Nagayama translated by Kenji Mishina
Kodansha International
A good guide to swords, detailing the history, schools of swordmaking with hand drawn plates showing different styles. Written for collectors, but also a good resource for makers.

 
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