7/27/2019 Tameshigiri.txt
1/3
Joyu Yasusada 3 body swordMusahi & Echizen province circas
1640 AD.
-Tameshigiri (????, ????, ??, ??) is the Japanese art of target
test cutting.
During the Edo period, only the most skilled swordsmen were
chosen to test swords, so that the swordsmans skill was not a
variable in how well the sword cut. Thematerials used to test
swords varied greatly. Some substances were wara (rice straw), goza
(the top layer of tatami mats), bamboo, and thin steel sheets.
In addition, there were a wide variety of cuts used on cadavers
and occasionallyconvicted criminals, from tabi-gata (ankle cut) to
O-kesa (diagonal cut from shoulder to opposite hip). The names of
the types of cuts on cadavers show exactlywhere on the body the cut
was made. Older swords can still be found today thathave
inscriptions on their nakago (tang) that say things such as, 5
bodies with Ryu Guruma (hip cut).
Aside from specific cuts made on cadavers, there were the normal
cuts of Japanese swordsmanship, i.e. downward diagonal (Kesa-giri),
upward diagonal (Kiri-age or Gyaku-kesa), horizontal (Yoko or
Tsuihei), and straight downward (Jodan-giri,Happonme, Makko-giri,
Shinchoku-giri or Dottan-giri). These cuts would then be cut on the
cadavers (ex: A swordsman would do a Jodan-giricut on 3 bodies at
the
hips. The inscription would then be, 3 bodies Ryu Guruma).
The oldest Tameshigiri documented in
Japanese history goes back to Heian era (794-).
Two swords were made by renowned swordsmiths
at that time by order of Tada Mitsunaka. One was
called Hige Kiri since it cut through beard and the
other was called Hiza Maru since it cut through
knee joint of the bodies of executed criminals used
for test cutting. Both swords were designated as
family treasures of Genji clan. The story was cited
in the first chapter of Heike Monogatari (A Story of
Heike Clan) and several other sword specialty
books written during the following centuries.
However, who made these swords and who actually
tested them is not clear. Neither sword exists any
longer.
During Kamakura era (1192- ), several
stories about Tameshigiri using stone as target
7/27/2019 Tameshigiri.txt
2/3
evolved. Stones and rocks that were said to be
tested with swords made by Kanenaga, Munechika
and others still exist. However, most of these
stories are fictional legends without reliable
documentation.
DESCRIPTION & SPECIFICATIONS
Yasusada Katana with 3 body Tameshigiri
ERA: 1660
APPROXIMATE AGE OF BLADE: 346 Years
THE NAKAGO (tang): Ubu (original, untouched)
MEI: (makers signature): Yamato (no) Kami Yasusada
JIRI: (tang end): kuri
MEKUGI ANA: (hole in tang for retaining peg): 1
BLADE STYLE: Shinogi-Zukuri (most popular style)
MUNE: (back ridge): Iori (peaked)
NAGASA: (length of cutting edge): 74.3 cm / 29 5/16
SORI: (curvature): 0.8 cm / 1/4
MOTOHABA: (width): 3.0 cm / 1
BOSHI: (tempering in point): Notare Komaru
KISSAKI: (point style): Ikubi (medium point)
HAMON: (tempering, martensite): Notare mixed with Gonome, small
Nie, Sunagashi
HADA: (blade grain style): KoItame w/ Jinie, Ohada mixed near
machi
CONDITION: Pristine
KIZU: (flaws): None
