焼きの頭 (Yaki no Kashira)

What is Yaki no Kashira in Japanese Katana terminology?

Yaki no Kashira refers to the highest point of the blade pattern (Hamon) on a Japanese sword, located towards the ridge (Mune). It is used to describe the high points of the tempering in irregular blade pattern (Hamon)s with variations, such as ""互の目乱"" (Gunome Midare), ""丁子乱"" (Chouji Midare), and ""湾れ"" (Notare).

In the case of ""拳形丁子刃"" (Kengyou Choujiba), where small Gunome patterns are lined up, it is expressed as the heads of the Chouji aligning. Also, in the case of pointed blades, expressions are used where the Yaki no Kashira is pointed towards the ground.

These descriptions are used to convey the intricate details and variations in the tempering patterns of Japanese swords, which are considered one of the key aspects in evaluating the craftsmanship and aesthetic value of the sword.