picture of tanto

Meiboku Index and Site Guide

Introduction and Announcements

How to Read Japanese Signatures (mei)

Terminology for the Varieties of Mei encountered on nakago


Interpreting the various Japanese Dating Systems   

2. Japanese Zodiacal Method

3. Dating from Emperor Jimmu

 

Old Japanese 'Roads' and Provinces with Abbreviated Forms (EUC)

Origins of Japanese Feudal Titles

List of Kanji used in Swordsmiths' Given Names in Romaji Order (EUC)

 

List of Swordsmiths using Katakana and Hiragana in their Mei (EUC)

Tameshigiri (Cutting Test) Inscriptions


Blade Characteristics of Japanese Swords

Sugata Forms
Sori Types
Kissaki & Fukura Types
Mune Forms
Bôshi Forms
Hamon Forms
Nie and Nioi Structures
Jihada Types
Nakago Forms
Nakago Jiri Types
Yasurime Types
Research Papers on Nihontô metallurgy, forging and polishing

 

Koshirae - Sword Mountings

Pictorial guides to the Constituent Parts of the Japanese Sword, and of the Buke Zukuri and Ito Maki Tachi Koshirae courtesy of Richard Stein

Articles Clive Sinclaire (British Tôken Society) of the various Styles of Nihontô Mountings hosted by Richard Stein

Glossary

Many of the terms needed to understand Nihontô are defined on site as they are introduced, but for a more complete list see the Glossary of Japanese Sword Terms by Richard Stein.

Rokujûyoshû - 'Roads' & Provinces

Colour-coded Map (32k) of the Old Japanese 'Roads' and sword-producing Provinces

Nihongo

How to View Japanese Characters on Computers

General Nihontô Information

Nihontô Bibliography Japanese-Sword Books

Nihontô Booksellers

Japanese Sword Societies and Mailing Lists

Nihontô Web Links
Recommended Nihontô Web Links
Some Commercial Nihontô Sites
Nihontô-related Martial Arts Links
Other recommended Japanese Links

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© 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 Alan Quinn
This web site may not be be reproduced or distributed in part or in whole without the express written permission of the author