Kissaki
KISSAKI
The Kissaki is the tip or point area of a Japanese sword that has a ridge line (shinogi). The Kissaki and Boshi are often confused, the boshi is the pattern of the hamon in the tip area. The amount of curvature of the cutting edge (on the kissaki) is referred to as Fukura (フクラ). Fukura can be either Tsuku (付), full and round - or Kareru (枯) straight, or nearly so.
Ko-kissaki (小切先) (Small Point)
It is the size (width) of the point relative to the width of the blade at the machi that makes this a Ko-kissaki. In other words, it is found on very tapered blades. Ko kissaki (small point) are found on very old blades, usually from Heian or Kamakura periods. It is small in comparison with the base of the blade, not necessarily short. The proportions are not very different from the normal kissaki, or chu kissaki.
Ikubi-kissaki (猪首切先) (Boars-neck Point)
The Boars neck Kissaki is, most often, found on mid Kamakura period blades. It is almost always a desirable feature! This kissaki has an almost straight edge on the point and is shorter than other types of kissaki. It is usually found on stouter blades having little tapering from the mune-machi to the kissaki.
Chu-kissaki (中切先) (Medium Point)
This is the normal shape for a point. Chu means medium.
O-kissaki (大切先) (Large Point)
Description for subheading details goes here.
Kamasu (Barracuda Point)
A very large kissaki with an almost straight edge (has little curve, or Fukura). It translates roughly as "Barracuda point".
