Kaji Oshi in Japanese Katana terminology
What is Kaji Oshi in Japanese Katana terminology?
The term "鍛冶押" (Kaji Oshi) refers to the rough grinding process performed by the swordsmith himself after tempering the sword. In this process, the swordsmith uses a coarse whetstone known as "金剛砥" (Kongou To) to adjust the overall shape of the sword, including its form and the placement of the blade's meat (the thickest part of the blade). This is a crucial step in sword making as it sets the foundation for the finer polishing and sharpening stages that follow.