Length of cutting edge73.1cm Curvature2.2cm Width of base29.0mm Width of Yokote16.9mm Thickness of base6.7mm
Forging pattern (kitae hada) : Kitae hada is fine and precise mokume burl pattern mixing in with partial entwined flowing marks. The entire hiraji is covered in with fine ji-nie (hard metal granules over the surface of the blade) and midare utsuri (reflections of the irregular tempering pattern). The entire forging marks is extremely minute.
Tempering pattern (hamon) : Hamon is fine ko-nie base, small irregular pointed gunome and choji-midare (clove out-line) accelerated by ashi (lines projecting into the edge). Clove outline varies in height and high pointed choji-midare which is narrow in the middle creates (kawazu-ko/a tadpole shape) outline. The entire tempering outline is covered in soft and misty nioi. The upper the blade, monouchi (hitting area), the more calmly the activation, small pointed choji-midare.
Temper of tip (boshi) : Boshi is slight irregular pattern with medium circle turn back and the ura side has hakikake brushing tendency with medium circle turn back.
Tang (Nakago) : Nakago is a bit suriage(cut down). Kiri horizontal heel shape. Three Mekugi-ana peg holes. There is two large character that reads KUNI MUNE in the middle of the tang.
KUNIMUNE - A lineage of NAOMUNE in Bizen province and well known as called [Bizen Sabuou Kunimune]. He had been active in the 13 th century in Bizen province and had moved to a place of Kamakura along with Awataguchi KUNITSUNA in Yamashiro province, both famed sword smiths established the foundation of Soshu-school. There is a version of the story that KUNI MUNE had moved and served exclusively for Kamakura shogunate when he was only 18 yeas old and also had become a master of Shintogo KUNIMITSU. He had returned to his home town Osafune when he was 58 years old (A.D.1238/the first year of Rekinin) and again moved to Kamakura by the command of the regent [Houjo Tokiyori], at that time, he was as old as 82 years old. None of the works of founder KUNIMUNE has date of year and all of them are two characters. There is a common opinion that any works of longer character such as Bishu Osafune ju KUNIMUNE or the work which is chiselled the date of year such as Showa era are identified as works of second generation KUNIMUNE. However, there is another point of view that KUNIMUNE was only one generation and his early/middle works are gorgeous tempering pattern of clove outline and the works of straight line temper pattern with long character or works with date of year are in his later year. It is understood that the general works of Bizen during end of Kamakura becomes more calm and straight temper, whereas the middle of kamakura is rich in tempering outline, flowery and gracefully.
This tachi is lower pointed curve strongly and long with firm base, full of dignity. The midare-utsuri (irregular reflections) stands out clearly against the blinking powder-snow-like surface, surely it is in his early-middle year. The workmanship is splendidly clear like a full blossom flower of Sakura under spring misty morning, with clear choji-feet without soaked in an excellent condition. Among similar works of Kunimune this tachi is prominent and one of his best conditioned works over the 750 years of more.
Gold double foiled Habaki collar, Shira-Saya plain wood mounting.
