The Samurai Sword: A Handbook - Softcover

"This book, written by one of the foremost authorities outside Japan, is the first of this subject in English. it should find many readers since there are now more of these swords in America than in Japan due to United States servicemen's interest in them. -New York World Telegraph and Sun "If you happen to have a samurai sword, John Yumoro's book will help you to determine its category. Whether you have one or not, it will give you all the romance of its background." -San Francisco Chronicle "At long last, an American has produced a handbook on Japanese words aimed at an American market. It is a 'must' for anyone interested in Japanese blades and by far the best single reference volume for those who are not specialists." -Military Collector & Historian

The samurai sword: a symbol of the spirit of old Japan, it embodies the samurai's steel discipline, unswerving devotion and peerless skill. With its creation, a feat of craftsmanship passed down by generations of artisans; the samurai sword is considered by most to be superior even to the famed blades of Western Damascus and Toledo. The Samurai Sword Handbook is a precise exploration of the samurai sword designed for sword collectors as well as anyone intrigued by these ancient blades. Detailing the origins and development of the samurai sword, its historical background, styles, prestigious schools and differences in construction, this revised edition of the classic reference outlines methods of identifying and researching the sword, as well as caring for it properly. This must-have for sword lovers is sure to be a bestseller. Topics of this Samurai book include: Japanese History and the Samurai Sword Types of swords Parts of the sword Blade shape, construction, and grain The making of the sword Inscriptions and their readings Care and maintenance Appraisal and value Relative point values