Illustrated Japanese Sword Encyclopedia: A Comprehensive Guide To Sword Terminology, from Swords and Mountings To Swordsmiths and Famous Swords!

The definitive sword terminology dictionary, packed with illustrations and photos!

Interested in Japanese swords, but overwhelmed by all the technical jargon...?

For those like you, this book carefully explains Japanese sword-related terminology with an overwhelming amount of information, from the names of each part of the sword and mounting to appraisal terminology, swordsmiths, and the legends of famous swords.

It's packed with illustrations and photos, so it's recommended for people other than beginners as well.

A must-have for Japanese sword fans! Includes a convenient index.

Table of Contents [Front Fold] Structure and Name of Uchigatana Koshirae and Blade / Structure and Name of Ornamental Sword, Hyogo Kusari Tachi, and Itomaki Tachi [Front Page] Scabbard Decoration / Types of Sageo / How to Tie Sageo / Materials and Techniques of Metalwork Chapter 1: Types of Swords... Types by Shape / Classification by Production Era Chapter 2: Types of Koshirae (Outer Coverings)... Koshirae for Daitachi, Ken, and Tachi / Katana Koshirae Chapter 3: Names and Expressions of Each Component... Structure and Name of Blade and Uchigatana Koshirae / Structure and Name of Tachi Koshirae Chapter 4: Types of Tsukuri (Sculpting) and Details of Blade Components... Tsukuri (Sculpting) and Shape / Curvature / Tip (Kirisaki) and Bulge / Tang and Tangjim / File Mark / Inscription / Mune / Hi / Blade Carving / Jigane (Ground Steel) / Jinchu (Inner Surface) / Hamon (Blade Pattern) / Inner Surface / Hat (Hato) / Yakidashi (Sparkle) Chapter 5: Details of the Components of the Koshirae...Types of Handles/Types of Saya Decorations/Types and Tying of Sageo/Types and Structure of Tsuba/Kozuka, Kogai, Menuki, and Fuchi-gashira/Materials and Decorative Techniques of Metalwork Chapter 6: The Actual State of Sword Making...Swordsmiths and Artisans/The Sword Making Process Chapter 7: Swordsmiths and Tsubasmiths...Five Traditions/Perfection of Unsigned Swords and Various Schools/Old Swordsmiths/New Swordsmiths/New New Swordsmiths/Modern Swordsmiths/Tsubasmiths and Metalwork Chapter 8: Ranking, Works, and Appraisal...Ranking, Works, Fakes, and Defects Chapter 9: Care and Storage...Sword Care/Storage/Cultural Property Protection, Laws, and Certification Chapter 10: Words, Idioms, and Proverbs Related to Swords...Basic Terms/Idioms and Proverbs Chapter 11: Legends of Famous Swords [Appendix] Former Province Name Map [Index]