Japanese Swordsmiths. ( Volume One ) 13,500 names used by about 12,000 Swordsmiths from 700 to 1900 AD; Japanese Swordsmiths. Volume Two, Supplemental Lists of 4000 Swordsmiths Steel and Temper Line Characteristics of 2500 Smiths, Glossary of 1000 Sword Terms, Thirty Pages of Illustrations, Numerous Tables. (Two Volume Set).
Hollywood, CA: W. M. Hawley, 1966, 1967. First Editions. Hardcover. Octavo. Two volumes (complete). Consecutively paginated: 12pp + 492pp & 15pp + 501-756pp. Navy blue faux leather over flexible boards, with gilt lettering to spine (Vol I.), silver lettering to spine (Vol. II), illustrated in black & white. The scarce first edition of this massive reference guide to Japanese swordsmiths. Text in English but with Japanese characters as appropriate. Willis M. Hawley (1896-1987) spent the greater portion of his life collecting, trading and preserving books and artifacts dealing primarily with the Far East. In addition, he has authored and compiled a number of books and papers on the subject unmatched by any other author in the English language. Light rubbing to covers, page edges a bit browned, pages toned, less than a handful of small light pencil marks - else a tight, bright near Fine set. Item #62751
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