The GOKADEN - Five Schools of Japanese Swordsmiths by W.M. Hawley & Yasu Kizu

61 pages, The GOKADEN, or Five Schools, is an entrance to the study of Nihon-to. As a system, the Gokaden offers the history of Japanese swordmaking within a framework of five traditions - these being identified by the provinces from which major sword production was centered during the Kotom or Old, sword period. Yamashiro, Yamato and Bizen were the first three, followed later by Soshu and Mino.