NIPPON TO ART SWORDS OF JAPAN: The Walter A. Compton Collection. Published by the Japan Society, New York, 1976. Black cloth, in the original slipcase. This is one of the most important catalogs on Japanese sword blades ever issued. Printed in chromolithography on heavy rag paper. The Japanese Sword and Its Cultural Significance by Homma Junji. On This Exhibiton by K. Sato. Artistic Quality of the Japanese Sword by W. Compton. Characteristics of the Japanese Sword & Exhibition Catalogue by M. Ogawa. Statement of Appreciation by Compton. A superb collection of Tsuba, blades & Midare, Kozuka, Kogai & Menuki. With outline of blades, nomenclature, points of value, appreciation, history of the Japanese sword, shapes, identification of Japanese sword by its characteristics, Koshirae, Kodogu etc. The exhibition catalog draws upon over 100 examples, each well identified and explained. Explanation of tang form and file-marks, tempering & forging characteristics, engravings, signature, mountings & accessories. By and large the most valuable reference to any collector's library.