加賀金工大鑑 [Kaga kinko taikan]. [Encyclopedia of Kaga Metal Inlays].

[Kanazawa].: 日本美術刀剣保存協会石川県支部. [Nihon Bijutu Token Hozon Kyokai Ishikawa-ken Shibu].. Show 58 [1983]. 100 page colour photographic plates, black and white photographic and line illustrations, 81 pages of text, 37.5 x 26.5cm, titled in gilt upper cover and spines of book and its accompanying slipcase. Spine very slightly, slipcase neatly mended along upper edge. A handsome copy in very good condition. Text in Japanese. Kanagawa, the capital of Kaga Clan during Edo period, became an affluent castle town under the protection of Maeda family lords who promoted cultural appreciations over many generations. Various artisan crafts were imported from Kyoto and craft industries flourished over two hundred years. Metal inlay was one of those that flourished and beautiful examples of this very high quality work, many of which had been made for the Maeda family are shown. Metal inlay techniques were mainly used to decorate sword accessaries and sheaths, but they were also used in other objects, such as horse stirrups, tea ceremony utensils and musical instruments.

This impressive publication was compiled by the members of the Kanazawa Branch of the Japanese Artistic Sword Association. The copies were not for available to the public for sale.

The books contains beautiful colour photographs, together with the provenance and descriptions of over 100 objects. In the latter section, detailed information on the artisans with their family trees are recorded, as well as some basic designs for inlays. It is a remarkable reference offering encyclopaedic information on the many metal inlay objects. .