Wazamono is a classification of Japanese swords and swordsmiths used in Japan to identify historic blades of exceptional quality. According to the first edition of Kaiho Kenjaku (懐宝剣尺) published in 1797, There are 163 Wazamono swords in total, grouped into four categories based on their quality. Twelve swords are classified as Saijō Ō Wazamono (Supreme Grade), twenty-one swords are classified as Ō Wazamono (Excellent), fifty swords are classified as Yoki (Ryō) Wazamono (Very Good), and eighty swords are classified as Wazamono (Good).

This rating is based on a book compiled by Yamada Asaemon V (山田浅右衛門吉睦), an official sword cutting ability examiner and executioner of the Tokugawa shogunate, and is an authoritative index of cutting ability of Japanese swords. The list of ratings concerning swordsmithing differs between Kaiho Kenjaku (懐宝剣尺) published in 1797 and the reprinted edition published in 1805, and the major revised edition of Kokon Kajibiko (古今鍛冶備考) published in 1830. Add up the number of sword smiths in each edition: Saijo Ō Wazamono 15, Ō Wazamono 21, Yoki Wazamono 58, Wazamono 93, lower 3 grade mixed 65.[1]

The list of swordsmiths described below is the swordsmiths described in the first edition of Kaiho.

Twelve Saijō Ō Wazamono

There are 12 blades that hold the rank of Saiju Ō Wazamono (Supreme Grade). This is the highest classification of Wazamono. In the reprinted edition in 1805 and the major revised edition in 1830, 3 swordsmiths Soboro Sukehiro (ソボロ助広), Osafune Kagemitsu (長船景光), and Izuminokami Kanesada (和泉守兼定 = Kanesada II) were added to the list.[1][2]

Katana forged by Nagasone Kotetsu. The letters inlaid with gold on the tang (nakago) indicated that Yamano Kauemon (山野加右衛門), the official executioner of the Tokugawa shogunate and examiner of sword cutting performance, cut the four human torso overlapped.[3]

Twenty-one Ō Wazamono

There are 21 blades that hold the rank of Ō Wazamono (Excellent). This is the second highest classification of Wazamono.

Fifty Yoki (Ryo) Wazamono

There are 50 blades that hold the rank of Yoki Wazamono (Very Good). This is the third highest classification of Wazamono.

Eighty Wazamono

There are 80 blades that hold the rank of Wazamono (Good). This is the lowest classification of Wazamono.

Mixed

Swordmakers that produced a mixture of quality, ōwazamono, ryōwazamono, or wazamono. 65 in this category.

References

  1. ^ a b 日本刀の業物. Nagoya Japanese Sword Museum Touken World.
  2. ^ 最上大業物. Nagoya Japanese Sword Museum Touken World.
  3. ^ Katana Signed Nagasone Okisato Nyudo Kotetsu. Tokyo Fuji Art Museum.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au Nagayama 1997, pp. 37–39, (Wazamono list in Eng.-Japanese)
  5. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 409, vol.1修理亮盛光 gives "Shuri" (no elgogation on the u"
  6. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 334, vol. 2
  7. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 329, vol. 2
  8. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 287, vol. 1
  9. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 185, vol. 2
  10. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 228, vol. 2
  11. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 383, vol. 1
  12. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 383, vol. 2
  13. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 436, vol. 1
  14. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 99, vol. 1
  15. ^ Nagayama 1997 has 橘一法 under Wazamono;Tachibana Ippō; "対馬守一法" at Tsurugi no ya page, and 対馬守橘一法 by Sesko 2012, p. 96, vol. 1
  16. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 309, vol. 1
  17. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 97, vol. 1
  18. ^ Sesko 2012, pp. 267, 269, vol. 1 "Kunikore(国維)" cross-references to "Kunimasa(国維)"
  19. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 168, vol. 2
  20. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 163, vol. 2
  21. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 157, vol. 2
  22. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 186, vol. 2
  23. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 196, vol. 2
  24. ^ a b Sesko 2012, p. 214, vol. 2
  25. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 248, vol. 2
  26. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 24, vol. 2
  27. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 65, vol. 1
  28. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 72, vol. 1
  29. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 450, vol. 1
  30. ^ Tsurugi no ya (2007). "業物位列一覧". Tsuruginoya (homepage). Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  31. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 408, vol. 1
  32. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 408, vol. 2
  33. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 359, vol. 2
  34. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 96, vol. 1
  35. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 174, vol. 1
  36. ^ Sesko 2012, vol. 1
  37. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 241, vol. 1
  38. ^ Sesko 2012, p. 108, vol. 1
  39. ^ a b Sesko 2012, p. 82, vol. 1
  40. ^ "signature search". Nihonto club. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
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