M286(S2175)
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Katana signed Kawachi-no-kami KUNISUKE with) Black lacquered notches carved scabbard Uchikatana Koshirae

Shinto Early Edo period (Keian era /ca 1648-) Settsu
Length of cutting edge 70.6cm Curvature 1.9cm Length of Nakago 22.3cm Width of base 32.4mm Width of Yokote 22.0mm Thickness of base 7.7mm

NBTHK(Tokubetsu Hozon) certificate
NBTHK(Kōshu Tokubetsu Kicho) certificate

with) Black lacquered notches carved scabbard Uchikatana Koshirae

NBTHK(Hozon) Tousougu certificate

Sword construction: Shinogi-zukuri, Iorimune. The blade is wide, with a moderate curvature and less degree of tapering in width from base to tip, extending into a long chū-kissaki. The well-balanced, weighty form exudes a dignified and imposing presence. (800 grams / without Habaki) (Enlarged photo of the blade)
Forging (Kitae-hada): At the base, the forging surface shows Itame-hada flowing with visible grain then upper the blade it forms finer in Ko-itame. Sparkling Ji-nie is thickly attached.
Hamon: A long Ōsaka-style Yakidashi, in which gunome, Fist-like "Kobushi-chōji" and Arrow- notch-like "Yahazu-ha" are mixed, forming a high Yakiba that in places reaches the Shinogi. Along the boundary edge, sparkling Nie piles up thickly with Ashi from the Chōji-ha radiating toward the cutting edge. Within the Ha, there are frequent Sunagashi and thick Nie-suji, producing a bright and clear impression. Around the upper Monouchi, isolating Tama-yaki appear, creating a brilliant and decorative Hamon in full of vigorous Nie activity.
Bōshi: Calm beneath the Yokote, rising high with a sweeping tendency, forming a medium circle in Chū-maru and deeply turning-back along the Mune.
Nakago: Ubu in original. The Tanago-bara shaped Nakago is long in proportion to the blade. One mekugi-ana. File marks are ō-sujikai. The mune side is flat, also with ō-sujikai yasurime. The heel of Nakago-jiri is kuri-jiri with a steep upward angle. On the Shinogi line of the Omote, below the Mekugi-ana, is a five-character inscription: “Kawachi-no-Kami KUNISUKE” 河内守国助

Kawachi-no-kami Kunisuke 河内守国助 – Second Generation "A masterwork, perfectly preserved both blade Katana and it's mounting Koshira"

“Kawachi-no-kami Kunisuke” 河内守国助, regarded as "Jō-jō-saku" an outstanding smith of the early Edo period Ōsaka shintō tradition. He inscribed both “Kawachi-no-kami Fujiwara Kunisuke” 河内守藤原 and “Kawachi-no-kami Kunisuke” 河内守国助.
He was born in Kan’ei 5 (1628) as the eldest son of the first Kunisuke (note). In Keian 1 (1648), at the age of 20, he was granted the title Kawachi-no-Kami 河内守. As the middle figure among the three generations of Kawachi-no-Kami Kunisuke, he came to be popularly known as “Naka-Kawachi” (“Middle Kawachi”) 中河内. He died on August 21, Genroku 11 (1698) at the age of 72.
He was famed for his flamboyant Chōji-midare, especially for the so-called Kobushi-chōji “fist-shaped chōji”, a hamon pattern resembling overlapping clenched fists, which is attributed to his creation. On a refined, tightly forged Ko-itame Jihada, he produced bright and clear Gunome-chōji hamon incorporating fist-shaped Chōji, praised as “Shintō Ichimonji.” The Nakago is characteristically long in proportion to the blade, shaped in a Tanago-bara style reminiscent of Muramasa, a rarity among Ōsaka shintō blades. Another trait is the near-total absence of consmetical Kesho-yasuri. Because of this piece is in an old polish, some areas show wear and slight rust.

Attached: Black lacquered notches carved saya uchigatana koshirae (front & back) (with NBTHK Hozon Tosogu Certificate).
  • Fuchi-kashira: Hanabishi & Manji-mon checkered pattern, Shakudō, Takabori high relief carving, Iroe, unsigned
  • Menuki: Sankozuka-ken motif, Shakudō-ji, Katabori carving,Iroe
  • Tsuba: Kiri-mon crests scattered among Karakusa design, Tate-maru-gata in oval, Shakudō-ji, Takabori high relief carving, Iroe, with two Hitsu-ana punches, Gold Fukurin-rim, unsigned
  • Tsuka: White layskin of Samegawa, wrapped in raw-colored silk cord in Hineri-maki style
Gold foiled original Habaki of the period, plain wood mounting Shirasaya included

References:
Honma Kunzan & Ishii Masakuni, Nihontō Meikan (Directory of Japanese Swordsmiths), Yuzankaku, 1975.

Note: The first Kunisuke is said to have been born in Kambe, Ise Province. According to the death register of Ryūkai-ji Temple in Ōsaka, he died on May 30, Shōhō 4 (1647), and considering the age difference between the second and third generations, he is thought to have been born around the early Keichō era. Around Keichō 16–17, he is believed to have gone to Kyōto and studied under Horikawa Kunihiro during his late years; in reality, however, his main teacher was Echigo no Kami Kunitomo, as indicated by the strong similarity in workmanship and signature style. After Kunihiro’s death, he moved to the thriving region of Settsu, and around the beginning of Kan’ei, he was granted the title Kawachi no Kami. By refining and elevating the tradition of his master Kunihiro, he established a vigorous and original style, and together with Kunisada (Kunisada II, a.k.a. Inoue Shinkai), he laid the foundation for the prosperity of the Ōsaka shintō school.