This Edo-period woodblock-printed book is a specialized swordsmith identification volume from the 万宝全書 (Manpō Zensho) series — a foundational encyclopedia of Japanese knowledge compiled during the late Tokugawa era.
This particular volume concentrates on blade styles, sword terminology, and lists of celebrated swordsmith lineages, making it a valuable resource for collectors and historians of nihontō (日本刀).
Inside, the book features:
Detailed Sword Diagrams
Pages include precise sketches of:
- Blade curvature (反り)
- Kissaki (鋒) variations
- Hamon (刃文) patterns
- Nakago (茎) shapes
- Edge and spine geometry
- Point shapes, tang notches, and engraving styles
These illustrations were used historically to identify a sword’s origin, school, and smith based on subtle visual characteristics.
Lists of Swordsmiths and Schools
The book contains multi-column lists documenting famous smiths from major regions:
- 備前 (Bizen)
- 山城 (Yamashiro)
- 相州 (Sōshū)
- 美濃 (Mino)
- 肥後, 肥前, 出羽, 越中 など
These entries include generational notes and stylistic traits recognized by Edo-era connoisseurs.
Technical Commentary
The text provides refined explanations of:
- How to distinguish genuine blades from imitations
- What characteristics indicate specific schools
- Differences in hardening techniques
- How sword “characteristics” change through polishing
- How to evaluate age, forging quality, and signature styles
This manual was clearly used by professional appraisers (目利き), merchants, and sword keepers.
Historical Value
Sword manuals from the Edo period are extremely desirable because they document the knowledge system used before modern sword scholarship existed.
They are essential for understanding:
- classical terminology
- regional forging traditions
- the evolution of appraisal practices
- how swordshapes were classified in the Edo period
Because they were practical workbooks, most surviving copies have missing pages or severe wear.
Your copy remains complete, clearly printed, and with strong diagrams, making it a valuable collector’s piece.
Physical Description
- Original 藍表紙 (indigo-dyed cover)
- Traditional wasōji stab binding (和綴じ本)
- Woodblock-printed illustrations
- Handmade washi paper
- Edo-period ownership seals (red stamps)
