Judging a Japanese Blade by Yasu Kizu

Sixteen pages outlining how to appraise the Japanese sword by determining fine points in an orderly process. Softcover.

Koto Sword Scrapbook

This book is from an appraiser's manuscript of about 1550. An Oshigata of 80 smiths. Additional references. The inclusion of so many great names indicates that the appraiser was prominent in his field, and would have been consulted as to the validity of important swords. He may possibly have been a Honmi living between 1550 and 1600.

Laminating Techniques in Japanese Swords

Twelve pages of text and illustrations showing various methods of making steel and combing laminations.

Mon, The Japanese Family Crest

1,475 Mon with the names of the families that used them. Indexed both by family name and subject. Softcover.

Perry's Bay, by Bayard Taylor

An eye-witness account of Commodore Perry's first expedition to Japan in July of 1853 by seaman Bayard Taylor, aboard the Flagship "Susquehanna". The "Sealed Letter" of November 13th, 1852, and Pres. Fillmore's message to Congress on April 6th, 1852. Taylor's recounting is taken from his accounts of India, China, and Japan, published in 1855. 50 pages.

Seals of the Far East

The stamped seal is the signature of the Far East. This book contains twenty-six pages of text covering the use, composition, history of seals, including illustrated examples from various volumes in the Hawley Library. Softcover.

Signatures of Hiroshige by JD Metzger and WM Hawley

Hiroshige leads the field of Japanese Print artists in the production and quality of landscapes. This booklet shows full size the Title Panels of the principle series and a selection of Signatures and Publisher's Marks. Softcover.

The Signatures Of Naganobu, by W.M. Hawley

Eleven pages. Includes the 83 signatures plus a translation of terms found in the signatures.

Swordsmith Minamoto

Eleven pages covering signatures, blade characteristics, notable students, and personal events that shaped his career and death. Softcover.

Swordsmith Nagasone Kotetsu Okisato, by Yasu Kizu

Twelve pages covering his history and blade characteristics. Includes two stories relating to this famous swordsmith.