B289.  Meito in North America & Yagyu Tsuba by The NBTHK American Branch.  2005.  Softbound, 8 ½ x 11”, 60 pages in English.  5 swords with Japanese Government issued rankings of Juyo Bijutsu Hin are presented: Awadaguchi Hisakuni, Den Niji Rai Kunitoshi, Den Rai Kunitoshi, Osafune Nagamitsu, and Soshu Hiromitsu.  This ranking is very high and such ranked swords aren’t supposed to leave Japan; to see the 5 in hand was quite a treat.  Wonderfully crisp photos, thorough text, and much more.  And at the back is an article on Yagyu tsuba and 9 fine examples.

Condition is excellent.  12 ounces.  $35.