Katana signed Minamoto MORIKUNI with)Black lacquered scabbard Leo/Peony motif Uchigatana koshirae
Shinto (Early Edo period Kanbun era/about 340 years ago) Bushu
Length of cutting edge69.1cm Curvature1.4cm Width of base30.4mm Width of Yokote19.6mm Thickness of base6.7mm
NBTHK(Toubetsu Hozon)
with)Black lacquered scabbard Leo/Peony motif Uchigatana koshirae
Sugata(configuration) : Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. Mihaba is average and there is shallow curve leading to a middle tip.
Kitae(forging pattern) : Kitae is fine Itame-hada (wooden grain) and straight masame hada pattern on Shinogi-ji surface. Ji-nie sparkling glitter spreads over hiraji which is vividly bright. Chikei darkish hard metal granules grows from the depth of steel.
Boshi (tip): The temper of tip is irregularly blushing out (Hakikake) indication, small circle then turn back deeply.
Nakago(tang) : Unaltered (UBU) and one original peg retaining hole. Filemark is Osujikai (greatly slanting left). The signature in hakiomite is three character that reads Minamoto MORI KUNI. Nice, old taste of patina and remains clear marks of original chisel.
MORIKUNI in Bushu province was said to come from Senjuin school in Mino province and had moved to Kai province before he settled down in Bushu. He is one of the representative sword smith master in Bushu province next to Kotetsu, Yasusada and Kaneshige. It has been said that Kaneshige is a pupil or son of Morikuni (it is understood that workmanship and signature between kaneshige and Morikuni have close resemblance). Or it is also said that Master of Kotetsu is Kaneshige. Therefore it comes to the conclusion that kaneshige, Kotetsu and Morikuni, they would work together or closely to cooperate each other.
Hamon starts with shallow wavy YAKIDASHI, Gunome zigzag, thick Nie-feet, upper the blade, brighter, wider and deeper the Nie and Nioi mist activity that almost splits over the hiraji like virgin snow lays thick under morning sun, where shows Kinsen and Sunagashi indication (thick lines of darkish Nie activity). The entire katana shows prominent workmanship that proves his real worth as a superb smith.
Black ROIRO style lacquered sheath Peony/Leos motif Uchigatana Koshirae consists of Tsuka - White Lay-skin moss-blue silk cord lozenge wrap, Fuchi/Kashira - Shakudo ground polish surface Peony katagiri carving, Menuki - Shakudo Yobori Rhodea Japonica motif, Tsuba - Shakudo polish surface, Leo and Peony Katagiri carving (signed : Katkenshi Kikuoka Mitsuyuki a seal, Oite Shinagawa Houou-san kore-wo tsukuru) A copper gold plated habaki, Shira Saya plain wood mounting includes.
