B1017.  “Nihonto Newsletter” by Albert Yamanaka.  1968 to 1972.  Hardbound in 3 volumes, 9 1/4 x 11″, 1,000s of pages in English.  “Nihonto Newsletter” was a monthly publication, originally Xeroxed and stapled, released over 4 and a half years.  It has been reprinted and released 3 or 4 times; this reprint was by the Japanese Sword Society of the US. Note: other reprints have been 5 volumes, one for each year of publication. These 3 volumes contain the complete run of the Newsletter.

Nihonto Newsletter is a wealth of information and has been an important reference ever since it first was published.  Pretty much everything Nihonto is covered: smiths, schools, provinces, history, and material you won’t find in any other book in English (missing National Treasure swords and who the Tokugawa were giving swords to in Edo time, for example). Also included with the 3 volumes is a 4th volume that contains an index to the newsletters, an index of sword making schools and their provinces, a list of honorary titles given to swordsmiths and the smiths who received the titles (Omi no Kami, for example), and an early printed version of The Index of Japanese Sword Literature (which is obsolete because it is now a searchable database on the JSS/US website).

Condition is excellent. 14 pounds, 6 ounces. $250.