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This is where it all started........BOOKS.
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Nihonto Genzon no yu~hin (45) published by Token Shibata Loosely translated* as (The Japanese Sword - Fine Items Currently on Hand) by the Token Shibata, winter 1998. This is a bi-annual  catalog published by Token Shibata (actually two shops). Catalog's are published in January and July of each year. This is a softcover catalog filled with black and white photos, descriptions, and prices of featured items from their two shops.  It includes, but is not limited to: tachi, katana, wakizashi, tanto, tsuba, menuki, yari, naginata, armor, and matchlocks.  Condition: New, Language: Japanese, Size: 19.5cm X 25.4cm, Published: Winter 1998, Pages: 55,  ISBN: None, Items in stock: 3 Price: $15.00, S&H: $4.00 Out-of-print

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Nihonto Genzon no yu~hin (47) published by Token Shibata Loosely translated* as (The Japanese Sword - Fine Items Currently on Hand) by the Token Shibata, winter 1999. This is a bi-annual  catalog published by Token Shibata (actually two shops). Catalog's are published in January and July of each year. This is a softcover catalog filled with black and white photos, descriptions, and prices of featured items from their two shops. It includes, but is not limited to: tachi, katana, wakizashi, tanto, tsuba, menuki, yari, naginata, armor, and matchlocks.    Condition: New, Language: Japanese, Size: 19.5cm X 25.4cm, Published: Winter 1999, Pages: 55,  ISBN: None, Items in stock: 2 Price: $15.00, S&H: $4.00 Out-of-print

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Nihonto Genzon no yu~hin (48) published by Token Shibata Loosely translated* as (The Japanese Sword - Fine Items Currently on Hand) by the Token Shibata, summer 1999. This is a bi-annual  catalog published by Token Shibata (actually two shops). Catalog's are published in January and July of each year. This is a softcover catalog filled with black and white photos, descriptions, and prices of featured items from their two shops. It includes, but is not limited to: tachi, katana, wakizashi, tanto, tsuba, menuki, yari, naginata, armor, and matchlocks.    Condition: New, Language: Japanese, Size: 19.5cm X 25.4cm, Published: Summer 1999, Pages: 55,  ISBN: None, Items in stock: 1 Price: $15.00, S&H: $4.00 Out-of-print

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Nihonto Genzon no yu~hin (49) published by Token Shibata Loosely translated* as (The Japanese Sword - Fine Items Currently on Hand) by the Token Shibata, winter 2000. This is a bi-annual  catalog published by Token Shibata (actually two shops). Catalog's are published in January and July of each year. This is a softcover catalog filled with black and white photos, descriptions, and prices of featured items from their two shops.  It includes, but is not limited to: tachi, katana, wakizashi, tanto, tsuba, menuki, yari, naginata, armor, and matchlocks.  Condition: New, Language: Japanese, Size: 19.5cm X 25.4cm, Published: Winter 2000, Pages: 55,  ISBN: None, Items in stock: 2 Price: $15.00, S&H: $4.00 Out-of-print

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Nihonto Genzon no yu~hin (50) published by Token Shibata Loosely translated* as (The Japanese Sword - Fine Items Currently on Hand) by the Token Shibata, summer 2000. This is a bi-annual  catalog published by Token Shibata (actually two shops). Catalog's are published in January and July of each year. This is a softcover catalog filled with black and white photos, descriptions, and prices of featured items from their two shops.  It includes, but is not limited to: tachi, katana, wakizashi, tanto, tsuba, menuki, yari, naginata, armor, and matchlocks.  Condition: New, Language: Japanese, Size: 19.5cm X 25.4cm, Published: Summer 2000, Pages: 55,  ISBN: None, Items in stock: 4 Price: $15.00, S&H: $4.00 Out-of-print

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Nihonto Genzon no yu~hin (51) published by Token Shibata Loosely translated* as (The Japanese Sword - Fine Items Currently on Hand) by the Token Shibata, winter 2001. This is a bi-annual  catalog published by Token Shibata (actually two shops). Catalog's are published in January and July of each year. This is a softcover catalog filled with black and white photos, descriptions, and prices of featured items from their two shops.  It includes, but is not limited to: tachi, katana, wakizashi, tanto, tsuba, menuki, yari, naginata, armor, and matchlocks.  Condition: New, Language: Japanese, Size: 19.5cm X 25.4cm, Published: Winter 2001, Pages: 55,  ISBN: None, Items in stock: 2 Price: $15.00, S&H: $4.00 Out-of-print

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Nihonto Genzon no yu~hin (52) published by Token Shibata Loosely translated* as (The Japanese Sword - Fine Items Currently on Hand) by the Token Shibata, summer 2001. This is a bi-annual  catalog published by Token Shibata (actually two shops). Catalog's are published in January and July of each year. This is a softcover catalog filled with black and white photos, descriptions, and prices of featured items from their two shops.  It includes, but is not limited to: tachi, katana, wakizashi, tanto, tsuba, menuki, yari, naginata, armor, and matchlocks.  Condition: New, Language: Japanese, Size: 19.5cm X 25.4cm, Published: Summer 2001, Pages: 55,  ISBN: None, Items in stock: 3 Price: $15.00, S&H: $4.00 Out-of-print

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Nihonto Genzon no yu~hin (53) published by Token Shibata Loosely translated* as (The Japanese Sword - Fine Items Currently on Hand) by the Token Shibata, winter 2002. This is a bi-annual  catalog published by Token Shibata (actually two shops). Catalog's are published in January and July of each year. This is a softcover catalog filled with black and white photos, descriptions, and prices of featured items from their two shops.  It includes, but is not limited to: tachi, katana, wakizashi, tanto, tsuba, menuki, yari, naginata, armor, and matchlocks.  Condition: New, Language: Japanese, Size: 19.5cm X 25.4cm, Published: Winter 2002, Pages: 55,  ISBN: None, Items in stock: 4 Price: $15.00, S&H: $4.00 Out-of-print

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Nihonto Genzon no yu~hin (54) published by Token Shibata Loosely translated* as (The Japanese Sword - Fine Items Currently on Hand) by the Token Shibata, summer 2002. This is a bi-annual  catalog published by Token Shibata (actually two shops). Catalog's are published in January and July of each year. This is a softcover catalog filled with black and white photos, descriptions, and prices of featured items from their two shops.  It includes, but is not limited to: tachi, katana, wakizashi, tanto, tsuba, menuki, yari, naginata, armor, and matchlocks.  Condition: New, Language: Japanese, Size: 19.5cm X 25.4cm, Published: Summer 2002, Pages: 55,  ISBN: None, Items in stock: 3 Price: $15.00, S&H: $4.00 Out-of-print

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Nihonto Genzon no yu~hin (55) published by Token Shibata Loosely translated* as (The Japanese Sword - Fine Items Currently on Hand) by the Token Shibata, winter 2003. This is a bi-annual  catalog published by Token Shibata (actually two shops). Catalog's are published in January and July of each year. This is a softcover catalog filled with black and white photos, descriptions, and prices of featured items from their two shops.  It includes, but is not limited to: tachi, katana, wakizashi, tanto, tsuba, menuki, yari, naginata, armor, and matchlocks.  Condition: New, Language: Japanese, Size: 19.5cm X 25.4cm, Published: Winter 2003, Pages: 55,  ISBN: None, Items in stock: 2 Price: $15.00, S&H: $4.00 In-print

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Masamune  A Genius Swordsmith and His Lineage published by Sano Art Museum This catalog was for a special exhibition at the Sano Art Museum. It covers 57 blades either signed or attributed to the legendary swordsmith Masamune and his lineage. Full color photos including oshigata (tang rubbings) and line drawings of hamon for various blades.  Condition: New, Language: Japanese w/English, Size: 22.5cm X 29.7cm, Published: 2002, Pages: 176,  ISBN: None, Items in stock: 1, Price: $50.00, S&H: $10.00 Out-of-print

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Token Kinko Zue - Edo Genso~Kitan by Fukami Nobuhiko Loosely translated* as (Fantastic Motifs on Edo Kinko Tsuba) This book is a soft-cover book in which the authors go to great lengths to show how detailed the craftsmen were at produced fittings for blades during the Edo Period. Examples of their craft are shown in color and b/w plates, and includes detailed explanations as well as background history and stories on the motifs. Condition: New, Language: Japanese, Size: 15cm X 21cm, Published: 1995, Pages: 224, ISBN: 4-569-54734-6 Items in stock: 1, Price: $35.00, S&H: $6.00 In-print

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Nihonto No Kaikata by Kogei Shuppan Loosely translated* as (How to Shop for Japanese Swords) This book is the do's and don'ts of buying Nihonto. Photos and oshigata of both famous swords and gimei alike are included to show you the best of the authentic and the imitations on the market. It also covers how to choose both blade and seller and how to deal with the market as we all know as depressed from what it once was. Included as well are price comparisons between the 1960's and 2000 when this book was printed. Condition: New, Language: Japanese, Size: 15.5cm X 21.5cm, Published: 2000, Pages: 290, ISBN: 4-7694-0057-8 Items in stock: 1, Price: $35.00, S&H: $8.00 In-print

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Nihonto ~ Shokunin Shokudan by Ohno Masashi Loosely translated* as (Japanese Sword Artisans - Talking Their Crafts) Various artisans and craftsmen dealing with the Japanese sword explain their crafts (profusely illustrated). Contents: three polishers including Nagayama Ko~kan, four swordsmiths, one silversmith (habaki), two saya-makers, one tsuka-maki specialist, one sword engraver, one tsuba artisan, one sageo specialist, and one metal polisher ("iroage" process for sword furnishings). If you are semi-familiar with the process this book may serve as a guide to "how professionals do it." Hard-cover with dust jacket  Condition: New, Language: Japanese, Size: 15.5cm X 21.5cm, Published: 1999, Pages: 237, ISBN: 4-7694-0051-9, Items in stock: 1, Price: $40.00, S&H: $8.00 In-print

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Kubikiri Asaemon Token Oshigata 2 Volumes by Fukunaga Suiken Tameshigiri (cutting test) was a practical way to judge the sharpness of a Japanese Sword. Using condemned criminals, these cutting tests were done by various methods. These two books written by Fukunaga Sensei show the history of Tameshigiri, it's system, method, and cutting tested blades with their oshigatas. Based on the famous Yamada Families secretive book "Token Oshigata" and their methods to examine the blades sharpness, many real photos and pictures are well illustrated. Hundreds of famous blades and their oshigata's which were tested are listed. Both volumes are hard cover silk bound with cardboard booksleeves and plastic book protectors. This particular set was signed by the author inside Volume I. Condition: Good, Language: Japanese, Size: 19cm X 26.5cm, Published: 1970, Pages: Volume 1: 225 Volume 2: 211,  ISBN: None, Items in stock: 1 Set Price: On Ebay, S&H: $20.00 Out-of-print

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Satsuma Koshirae by Zusho Ichiro This book covers the koshirae styles of the Satsuma Province of Japan through full color and black and white photos of items. In particular the Shimazu Clan's style is covered within. Many full color photos showing sword fittings, scabbards, and blades are included as well as oshigata (tang rubbings) and line drawings of the hamon for various blades.  Condition: New, Language: Japanese, Size: 15.5cm X 22cm, Published: 2003, Pages: 131, ISBN: 4-89806-192-3 Items in stock: 1, Price: $55.00, S&H: $4.00 In-print

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Nihon no Bijutu #431 Loosely translated* as ( Japanese Art) published in April of 2002. This is a softcover book filled with beautiful color and black and white photos, descriptions, and histories of the items.  Condition: New, Language: Japanese, Size: 18.6cm X 22.9cm, Published: April 15, 2002, Pages: 106,  ISBN: None, Items in stock: 1 Price: $35.00, S&H: $4.00 Out-of-print

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Touken Midokoro Kandokoro by Kazuo Tokunou Loosely translated* as (How to look at swords) published in May of 1976. This is a cloth bound, hardcover book. The dust cover is slightly torn on the front you might be able to see it vaguely in the photo to the left, it is near the lower right edge.  Condition: Good, Language: Japanese, Size: 15.56cm X 21.59cm, Published: May 20, 1976, Pages: 228,  ISBN: 0072-076009-2223, Items in stock: 1 Price: Soon On Ebay, S&H: $10.00 Out-of-print

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National Treasures of Japan by Tokyo National Museum This is an exhibition catalog for the Tokyo National Museum published by the Yomiuri Shimbun in 1990. This is a big softcover book filled with beautiful color and black and white photos of exhibits with descriptions, and histories of the items. The back of the book contains a English list of exhibits. The previous owner was even kind enough to leave his ticket stub to the exhibition in the book. Makes a nice bookmark. Condition: Good, Language: Japanese w/Some English, Size: 21.27cm X 25.72cm, Published: 1990, Pages: 369, ISBN: None, Items in stock: 1, Price: Soon On Ebay, S&H: $10.00 Out-of-print

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Kozuka 100 by Claude Thuault This book is exactly what it's title implies. 100 Kozuka are illustrated by at least two photos a piece sometimes more. It is written in both English and Japanese and covers the Claude Thuault Collection. It is a hardbound book with a colorful dustcover that has the title in English on one side and Japanese on the other. Condition: Good, Language: Japanese & English, Size: 15.5cm X 22cm, Published: January 15, 1993, Pages: 268, ISBN: None, Items in stock: 1 Price: Soon On Ebay, S&H: $10.00 Out-of-print

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Yasuknito by Tom Kishida This book is one of the best references on the Yasukuni Shrine's swordsmith group founded in 1933 by the Japanese War Ministry. The forge at the shrine produced much of the tamahagane (iron sand) used to produce traditionally made gendaito (new) swords of that period in history. Many color, b/w photos as well as many oshigata grace it's pages. Condition: Good, Language: Japanese, Size: 21.5cm X 30cm, Published: 1998, Pages: 116, ISBN: None, Items in stock: 1 Price: Soon On Ebay, S&H: $10.00 Out-of-print

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Sukashi Tsuba by Kokubo Kenichi This is a hard cover Japanese-language text on tsuba with photographs of 200 sukashi examples produced during the Muromachi through Edo periods in Japan. Each accompanied by descriptions and commentary in Japanese. This book does show some wear with tears on the dust cover evident in the photo of the cover. However there is no damage to the book itself. Condition: Fair, Language: Japanese, Size: 15cm X 21.5cm, Published: 1968, Pages: 257, ISBN: ????, Items in stock: 1 Price: Soon On Ebay, S&H: $10.00 Out-of-print

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Nihon no Bijutu #24 Katuchu (Armor) edited by Motoharu Ozaki Loosely translated* as ( Japanese Art) edited by Motoharu Ozaki, in April of 1968. This particular issue covered Japanese Armor (katuchu). This is a softcover book filled with beautiful color and black and white photos, descriptions, and histories of the items.  Condition: Good, Language: Japanese, Size: 18.6cm X 23cm, Published: April 15, 1968, Pages: 110,  ISBN: None, Items in stock: 1 Price: $35.00, S&H: $4.00 Out-of-print

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Nihon no Bijutu #6 edited by ???????? Loosely translated* as ( Japanese Art). This is a softcover book filled with beautiful color and black and white photos, descriptions, and histories of the items.  Condition: Good, Language: Japanese, Size: 18.6cm X 23cm, Published: ??????, Pages: 110,  ISBN: None, Items in stock: 1 Price: $35.00, S&H: $4.00 Out-of-print

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Priority Mail for US customers.
International customers shipping price will be quoted.
100% Refund guarantee** if your not happy with any item.
Additional photos/scans available upon request.

* Loosely translated = translated to the best of my knowledge
** 100% Refund minus shipping fee's

 

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This page last updated 10/25/03.