Aizu Blacksmithing Series - 5-Volume Set

Important materials concerning Aizu blacksmithing culture, techniques, and their inheritance. It features a large number of photographs of the blacksmiths themselves, as well as the genealogies of the blacksmithing lineages.

Total Weight:  about 1900g

Includes outer protective case size (length, width): 210mm, 149mm

Additional Information:  Please note that these books are originally written in Japanese. Below is a brief translated table of contents for each volume.

Blacksmithing Series Vol. 1 "The Saw Blacksmiths of Aizu"

1 The Circle of Nakaya Yasuemon and Yasuzaemon 
2 The Saw Blacksmiths of Aizu
3 On Tamahagane: The Material for Saws
4 On the Manufacturing Process of Saws Using Tamahagane
5 Yasuemon Blacksmithing
6 Yasuzaemon Blacksmithing
7 Genealogy of Related Blacksmiths

Gleanings:Essays on Blacksmithing
Reference: List of Blacksmiths 
60 Pages

Blacksmithing Series Vol. 2
"The Edged-Tool Blacksmiths of Aizu"
The Circle of Fujii Shigemasa 

1 The Edged-Tool Blacksmiths of Aizu
2 List of Modern Aizu Edged-Tool Blacksmiths & Their Genealogies
3 Shigemasa the First and His Disciples
4 Shigemasa the Second and His Disciples
5 Shojingi-cho (Record of Courtesies and Obligations)
6 Aizu Paulownia Geta (Wooden Clogs) and Their Crafting Tools
7 Brief Chronology of Related Edged-Tool Blacksmiths , Gleanings: Essays on Blacksmithing

Reference: List of Swordsmiths
188 Pages

Blacksmithing Series Vol. 3
"The Saw Blacksmiths of Aizu"
Modern Portraits and Their Genealogies

1 The Saw Blacksmiths of Aizu
2 Modern Portraits and Their Genealogies
3 On the Ohira Saw Factory
Gleanings: Essays on Blacksmithing
Chronology of Saw Blacksmiths
248 Pages

Blacksmithing Series Vol. 4
"The Nokaji (Rural Blacksmiths) of Aizu"
Their Techniques and Portraits

1 What is a Nokaji (Rural Blacksmith)?
2 Overview of Their Products
3 Tools and Materials of the Rural Blacksmith
4 Techniques of the Rural Blacksmith
5 Agricultural Tools of Aizu and Their Manufacturing Methods
6 Addendum (Portraits)

Gleanings: On the Picture/Photograph "Blacksmith 5 Yen"
，Essays on Blacksmithing
Reference: Roster of the Aizu Rural Blacksmiths Association Members (Showa 18 / 1943)
324 Pages

Blacksmithing Series Vol. 5
"The Full Story of the Military Sword Association"
The Circle of Army-Commissioned Swordsmiths

1 The Pacific War and Military Swords
2 What is the Military Sword Association?
3 Military Sword Blacksmiths: The Commissioned Swordsmiths
4 Establishment of the Military Sword Association
5 On the Tokyo First Army Arsenal
6 On Sword Forging
7 On Sword Polishing
8 Achievements of the Military Sword Association
9 Dissolution of the Military Sword Association and Its Aftermath
10 The Full Story of the Military Sword Association: The Circle of Army-Commissioned Swordsmiths

Gleanings: Essays on Blacksmithing
Appendix: 1943 (Showa 18) Roster of the Fukushima Prefecture Rural Blacksmiths Industrial Association Members
188 Pages