Sadatoshi Gassan

Nipponto (Japanese swords) embrace art and spirit, and is proudly part of ur cultureal iron heritage. We must appreciate our ancestors' efforts and pains. It is because of them that the artoof Nippoonto has outlived its hisroty of omore than one thousands years, and is still flourishing.

We, the contemporary swordsmiths, must also pass this precious art down to generations to come. This book has been published by the All Japan Swordsmith Association. It covers all the knowledge you should know about Nipponto. It would be our greatest pleasrue if you would learn and come to appreciate more about Japanese swords through this book.

Contents

Foreword by Sadatoshi Gassan President of the All Japan Swordsmith Association
Sword care
Maintenance
Caring for the tsuba (handle guard)
Cho musubi
Ronin musubi
Myoga musubi
Tying a tachio musubi
Tying a katanabukuro musubi
Tying a kiribako musubi
The Japanese swords production process
Types of koshirae
Parts of the katana koshirae
Parts of the tachi koshirae
Types of tsuka
Types of tsukamaki
Urushi techniques
Types of sageo
Threading a sageo
Troubleshooting
Modern junishi-jukkan chart
Sending Japanese swords to and from Japan… (meer)