A Muramasa Blade: A Story of Feudalism in Old Japan
Boston: Ticknor and Company, 1887. First edition. Hardcover. 188 pp. Quarto. [26 cm]. Olive green cloth over boards with title stamped in black on front board and spine (In both English and Japanese). Elaborate gilt sword stamped on front board. Deckled edges. With a copper etched frontispiece of "Muramasa Invoking the Blessing of the Gods On A Newly Forged Sword". Corners severely bent and frayed with boards peeking through. Extremities moderately worn with head of spine fraying with boards exposed. A Very Good copy despite these two flaws. Good + / Very good -. Item #64598
Profusely illustrated, with four copper plate engravings (all with tissue guards present). Seventy five total plates. Noteworthy for its depictions of prominent royal figures and their blades. An interesting blend of Western and Eastern printing, with text in English married with traditional Japanese art.
Price: $250.00