B974.  Toban Shokan Kotetsu by Shibata Mitsuo.  1967.  Clothbound with plastic jacket and slipcase, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2″, 210 pages in Japanese.  This book is a facsimile of the earliest tsuba book known, reputed to be from 1736 and by Matsumiya & Kanzan.  The original has been lost but reliable copies were made way back when, and this is a recreation of those copies.  The book begins with a few pages of handwritten text and then is page after page of drawings of tsuba and short descriptions.  1st time I’ve ever had this title; must not be a very easy book to find.

Condition is excellent.  2 pounds, 7 ounces.  Now $75.