江户时代 日本刀 古刀 锻冶 名匠 铭刻 签名 1848 - Hakueido (柏悦堂) - 日本 - Edo Period (1600-1868)

Item Title
Rare Edo Period Japanese Sword Book Koto Kaji Meizukushi Swordsmith Signatures 1848

Item Description
This is an incredibly rare and authentic Japanese woodblock-printed book from the late Edo period.
It is titled Koto Kaji Meizukushi (古刀鍛冶銘盡), a comprehensive dictionary and reference guide for ancient swordsmith signatures (mei).

The book was published in 1848 (Koka 5 / Kaei 1) and comes from the collection of Hakueido (柏悦堂).
Identical copies of this historically significant publication are preserved in prestigious institutional archives, such as Tohoku University Main Library.
https://touda.tohoku.ac.jp/collection/database/library/10010000001890?page=1

It consists of one complete volume featuring detailed illustrations of Japanese sword blades, tangs (nakago), and swordsmith markings.
Inside, you will find extensive records of various historical swordsmiths, including diagrams of sword shapes, tempering lines (hamon), and distinctive features of old blades (koto).

This book served as an essential manual for sword appraisers, samurai, and collectors during the 19th century to verify the authenticity of Japanese swords.
Because of its age, the book shows significant signs of wear, including stains, foxing, and tears throughout the handmade paper pages.
There is a substantial tear on the final page, and some text sections have ink fading or rubbing, making them difficult to read.
The binding and cover show a rich patina that tells the story of its long history through the centuries.
This is a highly collectible and historically important artifact for any serious Japanese sword (nihonto) enthusiast or collector of rare Edo-period books.

Background on Publisher and Context
Hakueido (柏悦堂):
This book was preserved and published under the name Hakueido, a publisher or private collection active during the late Edo period. Books on sword connoisseurship were highly restricted and closely guarded secrets during the samurai era, often passed down only through specific schools or families. The systematic documentation in this 1848 edition represents an essential asset for heritage preservation, recognized by modern university archives.

Item Size
Dimensions: Approximately 18.0 cm x 8.5 cm x 0.8 cm (7.1 inches x 3.3 inches x 0.3 inches)

Binding: Traditional Japanese string-binding or pocket-book style (hanshibon/yotsutsuji)

Material: Handmade Japanese paper (washi)

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