Ôdachi Gallery

Kanemitsu Ôdachi

This Ôdachi was made by Kanemitsu of Osafune in December 1359.  

It has a nagasa (cutting edge) of 93.2 cm and sori (curvature) of 3.2 cm.

Mei (name): Bizenkuni Osafune Kanemitsu. 

Location: Tokyo National Museum.

Period: Nambokuchô (1359).

Sugata (shape): Shinogi-zukuri, nakazori, nakago is suriage.

Hada (grain): Ko-itame with chikei.

Hamon (temper pattern): Notare, gunome with bright nioi and midare utsuri.

This Ôdachi displays the characteristics that were popular during the Nambokuchô period.  The blades changed as fighting methods did during this period.  The forging of this Ôdachi is very even with no irregularities.  Kanemitsu proves he was an extraordinary swordsmith.  This Ôdachi was a treasure of the Uesugi family.