Katanagatari novel volume 1 was written by Nisioisin.

From the pen of the author of the legendary MONOGATARI novels! The basis of an animated series, KATANAGATARI brings to life a swordless “swordsman” and a self-described “schemer” who embark on a quest to obtain twelve peculiar masterpiece blades.

Long ago the masterful swordsmith Shikizaki Kiki crafted 1,000 blades, though his twelve final works, the legendary deviant blades were prime among the rest. All with uniquely defined traits, these swords are among the greatest in Japan.

Shichika Yasuri, the seventh generational head of the Kyoto-ryu school of martial arts in medieval Japan. He and his older sister Nanami live on an isolated island, until a military advisor named Togame tells him of the final 12 swords forged by a legendary swordsmith. At Togame’s bidding, Shichika embarks on a journey to find all 12 of the swords.