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Rating: 
Summary: Excellent introductory work
Review: Although not comprehensive this is an excellent introduction to sword appreciation and understanding. After a brief consideration of the main periods of Japanese history, which shouldn't overwhelm anybody since it's a just a brief overview, the author moves on to consider the major periods of swordmaking and their history. After these two brief history chapters the author goes on to discuss the different types and styles of swords, fittings, and other info. There are detailed discussions of all the features, including blade types and details, all the fittings, especially the tsuba, or guard (which is virtually a field unto itself), plus inscriptions, lists of famous swordmakers by historical period, and much other useful and practical information. The author was possibly the most prominent sword expert living outside of Japan at the time he wrote this book. It's excellent as an introduction to the field, or as a quick reference.
Rating:
Summary: The "Definitive" guide to the Samurai Sword
Review: I was once told "If you are interested in buying a real samurai sword buy this book read it once and then read it again and again." There is probably no other book, in english, that has as much info on antique samurai blades as this book. A must for anyone interested in sword collecting or even a serious martial artist.
Rating:
Summary: The best value for the money that you will find
Review: I've studied the use of the Japanese sword for over 15 years, this was the first book I bought and still one of the best. It provides a good overview of the craft of the Japanese sword and contains information that you will not find without spending 3-4 times as much.
Rating:
Summary: If you own ONE book....
Review: This book is exactly what you need to understand the factors that determine rarity and value. It contains a comprehensive delineation of the varieties of each sword part, maker dates and places, and a good dose of relevant history to the development and use of the sword.This is not the ONLY book you need - but it should be the first. This small investment can literally save you thousands in mistaken purchases...you will quickly see why you should save your money, i.e. don't buy several $400 swords from Ebay, and rather purchase the "special" (albeit expensive) blade. There are too many hoaxers out there, and you need to visualize your purpose. Do you want a fragile 15th century relic? A modern (and very pricey) blade of Iaido practice? A WWII (and prior) collectible? What's the difference? Why be able to read the maker's mark? What difference doe it make? Do you want the master's blade, the student's blade or the machine made? Better find out the difference before you invest. Would you buy coins without a Redbook? Stamps without a Scotts'?
Rating:
Summary: If you own ONE book....
Review: This book is exactly what you need to understand the factors that determine rarity and value. It contains a comprehensive deliniation of the varieties of each sword part, maker dates and places, and a good dose of relevant history to the development and use of the sword. This small investment can literally save you thousands in mistaken purchases...you will quickly see why you should save your money and buy that "special" (albeit expensive) blade. Would you buy coins without a Redbook? Stamps without a Scotts'?
Rating: 
Summary: Over rated
Review: This book is over rated, the 7 present reviews give 5/5 stars, that just not true, it is a nice book, with lots of information, but maybe to technical, not enough background, and definitely not a starter book. If you are curious on sword and history, they are other better books, but if you in deep in Samurai sword's and want reference info, this is a good book. But things like "beginner book?!?" I don't think so.
Also the price for what you get, there is like 180 pages, but 100 of them are hand drawing (not all that great), and of that 60 pages are of Japanese characters translated in English (again for a beginner, completely useless). Look for something more complete with wider range before blowing 30 $ on that.
Rating: 
Summary: Somewhat dry in presentation...
Review: This is a fairly serious overview of Samurai swords intended for someone who is interested in collecting them (or perhaps has inherited one). That is, this is quite a 'theoretical' book intended to convey, in a quite concise manner, the myriad of details needed to identify Samurai swords. The book goes through a very brief overview of Japan's sword history including some very rough information on the swords produced in various time periods. Mixed in here is a tiny amount of non-technical information in the form of some tales of how the special clay-coating heat-treating process was invented. The book then presents detailed information on such subjects as blade curvature, temper lines, tip profile, tang markings and finishing. This section has a number of line drawings that do help convey the information in a clear and simple manner. This leads into a very in-depth section with the Japanese characters that could be found on a sword tang. This section is quite long and, considering the book's purpose, not really very useful to the majority of people. That is, without understanding Japanese you really aren't likely to be able to use this section - it would be much better to consult with someone who does understand Japanese. I really had hoped for more of an overview of the history with some details on the more famous crafters. There is also very little information on the manufacturing process other than some very cursory paragraphs and drawings. I agree that this subject deserves many books but I also think that since it is not really highlighted in this volume, a beginner will have no real reason to understand WHY certain eras and smiths were regarded so highly. That is, without more background on the process one is left asking the question "what is wrong with a stainless-steel blade?". One for the serious collector but you will definitely need other books on the subject to really get an appreciation of the remarkable nature of the Samurai sword.
Rating:
Summary: Somewhat dry in presentation...
Review: This is a fairly serious overview of Samurai swords intended for someone who is interested in collecting them (or perhaps has inherited one). That is, this is quite a 'theoretical' book intended to convey, in a quite concise manner, the myriad of details needed to identify Samurai swords. The book goes through a very brief overview of Japan's sword history including some very rough information on the swords produced in various time periods. Mixed in here is a tiny amount of non-technical information in the form of some tales of how the special clay-coating heat-treating process was invented. The book then presents detailed information on such subjects as blade curvature, temper lines, tip profile, tang markings and finishing. This section has a number of line drawings that do help convey the information in a clear and simple manner. This leads into a very in-depth section with the Japanese characters that could be found on a sword tang. This section is quite long and, considering the book's purpose, not really very useful to the majority of people. That is, without understanding Japanese you really aren't likely to be able to use this section - it would be much better to consult with someone who does understand Japanese. I really had hoped for more of an overview of the history with some details on the more famous crafters. There is also very little information on the manufacturing process other than some very cursory paragraphs and drawings. I agree that this subject deserves many books but I also think that since it is not really highlighted in this volume, a beginner will have no real reason to understand WHY certain eras and smiths were regarded so highly. That is, without more background on the process one is left asking the question "what is wrong with a stainless-steel blade?". One for the serious collector but you will definitely need other books on the subject to really get an appreciation of the remarkable nature of the Samurai sword.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent primer for the beginning collector.
Review: Yumoto's work was one of my first books on Japanese swords. Over twenty years later I still refer to it as a quick reference. While not a comprehensive reference it is nonetheless broad and nothing short of expert on the subject. Compared to more voluminous references, it is easily taken on the road while in search of these evasive art treasures.
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