The Art of the Japanese Sword is an extensive tour through the methods of sword creation, preservation, and appreciation. More than that, it is a celebration of the creativity and dedication of a culture in refining a tool of war into an implement of extreme philosophical and aesthetic beauty.

It doesn't matter if you are simply interested in the history and function of Japanese swords or a would-be smith yourself, you will find a vast amount of useful chapters in each of these chapters. All sections of this book are illustrated with high-quality color photos, with many full page in size. The authors state they feel a person needs to understand every facet of making a Japanese sword to fully appreciate the finished weapon. I know of few books on the subject that do a better job of meeting that goal.

I wanted to include this book because it is beautiful in its own right. This is definitely a coffee table book, filled with beautiful images and skillful layout that will impress anyone leafing through it. Besides the aesthetics, it has deep and valuable information on the construction and appreciation of the Japanese Katana.

One of the authors said the book’s aim was “to provide a comprehensive introduction to the Japanese sword,” which was exactly what I was looking for. I had been writing about them and needed something to keep me from inventing any facts. After reading it, I can say the authors accomplished what they set out to do. The book was thorough enough to be a resource, but it wasn’t weighty.

It’s a book about Japanese swords written by a swordsmith and two enthusiasts. It’s about–when and if you’re ever handed a fine-crafted Japanese sword–knowing exactly what to look for instead of just holding it cross-eyed and bleating out... See More

It doesn't matter if you are simply interested in the history and function of Japanese swords or a would-be smith yourself, you will find a vast amount of useful chapters in each of these chapters. All sections of this book are illustrated with high-quality color photos, with many full page in size. The authors state they feel a person needs to understand every facet of making a Japanese sword to fully appreciate the finished weapon. I know of few books on the subject that do a better job of meeting that goal.