This list of Wazamono is a list of 228 swordsmiths (or 180 depending on the method of counting) of katana and other weapons in the book Kaihō kenjaku (懐宝剣尺, Pocket Treasured Sword Length) or Kaihō-kenshaku, released in 1815 by Yamada Asaemon. (Yamada Asaemon V was one among a direct line of official sword testers for the bakufu during the Edo Period, every generation of whom inherited that name).
Contents
The work lists 12 saijō ōwazamono (最上大業物, "supreme sharpness swords"), 21 ōwazamono (大業物, "great sharpness swords"), 50 ryōwazamono (良業物, "good sharp swords"), 80 wazamono (業物, wazamono, "sharp swords"), and 60 (65?) makes with mixed levels of sharpness.
As is well-known, the names of Japanese swords take after its maker. Thus by "sword" here, the "make of the sword", i.e., the signature mark of the swordsmith is meant.
The authoritative list, compiled by the samurai whose job was testing a katana, had been and is still used as a benchmark for a katana. However, this list has also been used by those who sell fake katana.
The list does cover both shintō (new sword) as well as the kotō (old sword). However it omits pieces by the most preeminent smiths from the kotō period (900 to 1596 AD), blades by e.g. Sōshū Masamune, Sōshū Sadamune, Bizen Nagamitsu and Ise Muramasa. Such treasure swords never underwent test-cutting during the Edo Period, being considered too valuable as historical art objects to risk damage.
In the following list, the generation designation is converted to Roman numeral, thus Shodai (初代)="I (first generation)"; Nidai (二代)="II (second generation)", etc.
Saijō ōwazamono
12 in this category.
Ōwazamono
21 in this category.
Ryōwazamono
50 in this category.
Wazamono
80 in this category.
Mixed
Swordmakers that produced a mixture of quality, ōwazamono, ryōwazamono, or wazamono. 60 in this category.