B745.  Nihonto Bizen Den Taikan by Okazaki.  1975.  Hardbound with slipcase and cardboard storage box, 8 ½ x 12”, 970 pages in Japanese.  A large portion of the swords we see (near half maybe) were made by the Bizen Den smiths.  The importance and usefulness of this book can’t be over stated; this is a great reference.  Crisp photos and well done oshigata by the hundreds, and at the end a section with photos of kodogu from Bizen.  This book is indexed in the “Index of Japanese Sword Literature” on the JSS/US website.

Of the major taikans, this is one of the more difficult to find.  The slipcase is separating along corners for 2 – 3″; otherwise the book is in excellent condition  11 pounds, 6 ounces.  Now $450.