INDEX KANNA ARCHIVES BLACKSMITHS
KANAYAMA TSUKUTOMI
KABUTOWARI
BLACKSMITH PROFILE
Kabutowari, circa 1950 is marked down the center KABUTOWARI (reference to weapon*), and to the left MINAMOTO (nom de plume) and TSUKUTOMI-ZO (made by Tsukutomi) and to the upper right is the makers logo.
* Kabutowari is defined as Kabuto 株と as a samuri helmet and Wari 割 to split. The weapon of kabutowari is a close quarters weapon uesd by ninji or other warriors. Two web pages to follow regarding Kabutowari.
NINJA and KABUTOWARI
Kanayama-san
Mr. Kanayama-san was a blacksmith from Tokyo and the blade pictured was made by him in the 1940's or 1950's. It is known that his original workshop was in Tokyo and he excelled in his field until his death in 1960.
His son Kanayama Tetsuo was born in 1950 and he has continued the craft and traditions of his father and at this time has gained a reputation for his fine small kiridashi kogatana knives.