Swordsman - Kaishu

Japanese: 劊子手 - かいししゅ

…Therefore, various instruments were used depending on the punishment. For example, in the case of the death penalty, the swords (Kai Shi Shu) used by the executioners of the execution by beheading in the Qing Dynasty were said to be five famous swords handed down from the Ming Dynasty. In the hanging, a stick was inserted into the rope tied around the neck of the prisoner, and the rope was turned to strangle him. …

From the Prison Officer

…During the Qing dynasty, executions were carried out by hangmen. The executioners of executions were called jianzishu (also jianzi, jiansheng, or kitoshu), and there were a maximum of 10 of them. They belonged to the Ministry of Justice. In the capital of Beijing, several families bore the surname Jiang, and had inherited this role since the Ming dynasty. …

From "Lingchi Execution"

…In the Qing Dynasty, the method was to insert a blade into both breasts, cut off both arms and legs, cut open the stomach to remove the organs, and then slit the throat to kill the victim. There was a technique handed down by the executioner (Kaishishu) to ensure that the victim did not die easily. There were grades depending on the number of swords used. …

*Some of the terminology explanations that mention "Kenkote" are listed below.

Source | Heibonsha World Encyclopedia 2nd Edition | Information

Japanese:

…したがって，その刑に応じ種々の刑具が用いられた。例えば死刑の場合，清代における斬刑の執行人たる劊子手（かいししゆ）の刀(鬼頭刀)は明代から伝わる5種の名刀であったという。絞刑は受刑者の首を縛った縄に棒を差し込み，これを回して絞め上げるものであった。…