TheKabutowari (Japanese:兜割; lit. "helmet breaker" or "skull breaker"[1]), also known ashachiwari, was a type of knife-shaped weapon, resembling ajitte in many respects. This weapon was carried as aside-arm by thesamurai class offeudal Japan.
Kabutowari were usually around 35 cm (14 in) long; some larger versions are around 45 cm (18 in) long.[2] There were two types ofkabutowari: adirk-type and atruncheon-type.
The dirk-type wasforged with a sharp dirk-like point,[3] which could be used to parry an opponent's sword, to hook the cords of armor or a helmet, or like acan opener to separate armor plates. The sharp point could pierce unprotected or weak areas of an opponent's armor like the armpit area.[3] The blade of this type ofkabutowari was a curved tapered square[4] iron or steel bar with a hook on its back edge.[5] In combat, one could parry and catch a blade with that hook, as with ajitte. Somekabutowari of this type were mounted in the style of atantō with akoshirae.[3]
The truncheon-type wasblunt,cast iron or forged truncheon-like weapon resembling atekkan or ajitte. This type ofkabutowari had the same basic shape as the dirk-type, including the hook, but it was usually blunt and not meant for stabbing.[citation needed]
It would appear, according to Serge Mol, that tales ofsamurai breaking open akabuto (helmet) are morefolklore than anything else.[6] Thehachi (helmet bowl) is the central component of akabuto; it is made of triangular plates of steel or iron riveted together at the sides and at the top to a large, thickgrommet of sorts (called atehen-no-kanamono), and at the bottom to a metal strip that encircles thehachi.[7][8] This would require enormous pressure to split open.[original research?] This idea that thekabutowari was somehow able to smash or damage a helmetkabuto is most probably a misinterpretation of the name which could have several meanings, ashachi could mean skull or helmet bowl andwari could mean, split, rip, crack or smash.[6]
In modern times there is noryū (school or style) known to train withkabutowari, although certaindojos withinBujinkan Budo Taijutsu still train with them, as an extension ofjittejutsu.[9] A number of weapons retailers in Japan still sell usablekabutowari.[10]
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