The Craft of the Japanese Sword by Hiroko Kapp, Leon Kapp, Yoshido Yoshihara (1987, Hardcover)

This book is a very informative book. It covers all of the basics and more from blade forging, polishing, habaki fabrication, and saya work. After reading this book you will be able to walk away with a basic understanding of what each of these processes takes. The biggest downfall about this book is that it will leave you wanting to know more than it has covered. Very good entry level book, a good book to start you Nihon-to studies/appreciation with.

This is an excellent book but it leaves out several major details in the craft of the Japanese sword. Provides no information on the fitting of the Tsuba , nothing on the wrapping of the handle, and nothing on the lacquering and finishing on the scabbard.
These are all details of the craft of the craft that I was personally looking for.

I was disappointed with the lack of specificity in many areas of technique. The section covering the polishing of the sword is the begins to approach the level of detail that I was personally looking for when it describes the creation of the very tiny stones used to refine the Hamon.

Those problems aside it is an excellent book for the general reader that want a introduction to techniques needed to produce what can only be considered the peak of hand crafted excellence

Loved this books, great photos and very informative. I would highly recommend this one for your library if you do not have it.