A remarkable Edo–Meiji transition-era woodblock-printed manual titled 古刀銘盡大全 (Koto Meizukushi Taizen), meaning “The Complete Compendium of Old Sword Signatures.”
This work is a comprehensive illustrated catalog dedicated to the identification of Japanese swordsmiths (刀工, tōkō) and their unique signatures (銘, mei).
It presents finely detailed woodblock diagrams of sword tangs (nakago), engraved signatures, and blade shapes (sugata), serving as a practical and aesthetic reference for samurai, scholars, and collectors during the late Edo and early Meiji periods.
Each page features faithful reproductions of sword inscriptions, arranged by province and lineage, covering renowned schools such as Bizen, Mino, Yamashiro, Soshu, and Yamato.
The precise and minimalist printing style highlights the mastery of Edo-period technical illustration, where every stroke was carved by hand to preserve the authenticity of each swordsmith’s mark.
Bound in its original fukurotoji (袋綴じ) format with a textured vermilion paper cover, the book exemplifies the sober dignity of scholarly works from the samurai era.
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Title: 古刀銘盡大全 (Koto Meizukushi Taizen – “Comprehensive Catalog of Old Sword Signatures”)
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Subject: Japanese swordsmith signatures and blade forms
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Period: Late Edo to early Meiji (circa 1860s–1870s)
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Format: Woodblock-printed manual on washi paper
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Binding: Original fukurotoji (bound-pocket) vermilion patterned cover
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Language: Classical Japanese
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Content: Illustrated index of swordsmiths by province, with mei examples and tang engravings
The Koto Meizukushi Taizen was among the most influential reference texts for sword appraisal (鑑定, kantei) in Japan’s premodern period.
Before photography, such books served as the visual archive of Japanese metallurgy, recording the lineages, regional styles, and hallmark features of Japan’s master swordsmiths.
This edition reflects a key moment in history when samurai culture was waning, and collectors sought to preserve knowledge of the katana as both weapon and art form.
For historians, martial arts practitioners, and antique arms collectors, this book is a rare and invaluable document — a primary resource in nihontō study, directly from the age of the sword.
