This book is a primer for the person who may have a passing interest in Japanese Swords, but do not know where to start. But; there are those that look beyond the blade to what it may have meant to those who carried them. It revolves around five swords and a hanging scroll that came to the United States about 1946. These swords date from 1400 to Jan 1944. A sixth sword given to a Marine Defender of Wake Island by the C.O. of a Japanese POW camp. Three of these swords, have original short stories that focus on these swords. The scroll, is a painting of a samurai sitting beneath a Cherry tree with writing materials. The Book,has 144 pages richly illustrated with about 110 photos, & "Care and Cleaning of Japanese Swords". This version of the book is in Color.