UNSIGNED, ATTRIBUTED TO RAI KUNITSUGU, LATE KAMAKURA PERIOD (14TH CENTURY)

Details

A Yamashiro Katana
Unsigned, attributed to Rai Kunitsugu, Late Kamakura Period (14th Century)
Sugata [configuration]: honzukuri, iori-mune, chu-kissaki shallow koshizori

Kitae [forging pattern]: running itame and mokume with jinie

Hamon [tempering pattern]: suguha of konie with wide habuchi and ko-ashi, nijuba

Boshi [tip]: midare komi

Horimono [carvings]: bohi on both sides

Nakago [tang]: suriage, four holes

Habaki [collar]: double, copper-gilt

In shirasaya [plain wood scabbard]

Nagasa [length from tip to beginning of tang]: 71.4cm.

Sori [curvature]: 1.8cm.

Motohaba [width at start of tempered edge]: 3.2cm.

Sakihaba [width before tip]: 2.2cm.

Special notice

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Lot Essay

Kunitsugu was a pupil of Rai Kunitoshi and grandchild of Kuniyuki. He is said to have been the cousin of Kunimitsu, and some old documents indicate that he was a pupil of Masamune. A later smith working around the 1360s is referred to as Rai Kunitsugu II. The bright hada, rich in jinie, and the clearly defined nijuba are characteristics of Kamakura Period Yamashiro work. The sword is attributed to Rai Kunitsugu on the registration document.

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