Books are a great resource, without any doubt or dispute, but there is no substitute for looking at and getting your hands on the real thing. When young I spent hours looking at the pieces in my local antique shops, and now I go to the antique fairs and do the same. I was lucky, I got interested in arms and armour before the subject got so popular and full of fakes.
But you know, the real fun is in getting hold of the things, books only take you so far. To my mind the trick is to not make expensive mistakes. And there are real Nihonto out there at reasonable prices....shabby, damaged and missing koshirae ok, but good starters with possibly a gem hidden amongst them.
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