Just an FYI for the flag/1000 stitch belt collectors, Mike Bortner (fellow collector) just published his book on the topic. I like to buy reference books from fellow collectors to both support them as well as promote the hobby.

http://www.gethistorytoday.com/

Thanks for posting the info.

I have an extra incentive to purchase his book, besides merely supporting my peers.....my nicest hand sown battle hinomaru loaded with kanji (and a little blood ) is pictured in the book.

Sword fish believe me I understand. I've got a few bayonets in that new book on Japanese bayonets.

It's kinda' nice when we go to sell and we can say "pictured on page so and so in so and so's book". More importantly though is really to support fellow collectors who invest exrutiating time and put forth massive effort to put a reference book together. I doubt Mike is making much $$ on the book (if at all) and I think in his case it was more of something he's wanted to do for quite awhile. I have doubts it'll reach sales levels that parity the Harry Potter books . It should fill a nice void however. There's not too terribly much reference out there on Japanese imperial booty.

Good collecting my friends,
Tom