Ôdachi Gallery

Hoju Ôdachi

This Ôdachi was made by Hoju during the Kamakura era (1185-1333).  

It has a nagasa (cutting edge) of 118.8 cm and sori (curvature) of 5.5 cm.

Mei (name): Hoju. 

Location: Musashi Mitake Jinja, Tokyo.

Period: Kamakura (1185-1333).

Sugata (shape): Shinogi-zukuri with horimono.

Hada (grain): Itame, mokume.

Hamon (temper pattern): Choji togari.

This Ôdachi has is wider and thicker than usual.  The curvature is also deeper than usual, making it look quite spectacular.  The line of Hoju began possibly before the Heian era and continued into the Muromachi era.