ATAMA WARI (HEAD SPLITTER)

ECHIZEN KOZUKE NO KAMI KANESADA

Chujosaku

Wazamono

The Shodai, or first generation Kanesada, Keicho (慶長) 1596-1615 was a Mino smith who moved to Echizen to work with Echizen Kanenori.

This sword has been attributed to Echizen Kanesada by the NTHK-NPO.

The works of Kanesada are rated Wazamono for their cutting ability according to the “Kokin Kaji Bikosen” by, Yamada Assauemon Yoshichika.

Fujishiro rates his works as Chujosaku for the quality of work he produced.

This is a beautiful and flawless example of Kanesada’s work and the only body test blade describing the splitting of a human head I have ever seen.  This attribution clearly makes it a rare and outstanding example.

NAKAGO TRANSLATION

OMOTE:

Ko Mei Jitsu = Old Name

Atama Wari = Head Splitter

URA:

To Kyo Ri sha Tame Mei Ken Ko Re Kan Bun Kanoto Ushi Fuyu

Oitte Kei Jo Sai Ko Tate Sei To Zu Choko Nyu Do Sha Kei

Translation:

The sword with good performance is advantageous when fighting against the enemy. This sword vertically cut a head and the point of the sword has cut into the ground by about 30 centimeters, at western Kyoto Castle, in the winter the year of the oxen Kanbun (1661).

This sword is featured on page 164 of the book, TAMESHIGIRI, THE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF JAPANESE SWORD TESTING, by Markus Sesko.