G24180(W6617) Wakizashi signed Chrysanthemum crest Yamashiro-no-kami Fujiwara KUNIKIYO NBTHK(Tokubetsu Hozon)
Shinto Early Edo period (circa Kanei 10/1633) Echizen
Length of cutting edge41.7cm Curvature0.8cm Width of base31.0mm Thickness of base6.6mm
Blade construction : Katagiri-ha zukuri, Iori-mune. Mihaba is wide, thick in Kasane and there is Saki-zori curvature. One side is Kiri-ha construction and there are carvings of Suken sword and Koshi-hi groove on base and upper is Rendai (Lotus flower platform) then Bo-hi groove and interior Bonji (Sanskrit character). The other side is Shobu-zukuri construction, curved with Bonji, upper parallel grooves, Bo-hi and Soe-hi.(click HERE for super sized image of entire blade)
Forging(Hada): Forging mark is fine Ko-Itame wooden grain basic, shows some flowing ware indication. Hiraji surface is moistened by sparkling glitter so called Ji-Nie - crystallized mist and darkish Nie lines so called Chikei activity gushes out from steel.
Hamon : Hamon is Notare wavy mixing with Gunome. There is rich Nie-activity of which interior is covered in deep Nioi-mist and temper edge is covered with sparkling Nie which is vividly bright. The interior of temper works with thick Nie darkish lines so called Kinsen and Sunagashi activity.
Temper of tip(Boshi) : Boshi blazes up so called "Kaen" shape of which tip indicates Sukagashi - sweep up Nie activity, small circle turns back deeply.
Tang(Nakago) : Nakago is UBU in original. One peg hole. File mark is Sujikai slightly slanting left. Kurijiri (double bevelled) heel shape on bottom. The signature on reversed side is the 16 petals of Chrysanthemum crest then slim seven characters that starts with an official district title Yamashiro-no-kami R, the clan Fujiwara then smith name KUNIKIYO .
This is a prosperous work of the first generation of KUNIKIYO in Echizen-province in 1630's. His real name is SHIMADA KICHIUEMON cgEq who was born in Keicho 7, (1602) in Matsushiro-city, Shinshu. His initial smith name was SUKEMUNE @ and had learned from great master KUNIHOIRO L in Kyoto. After his master had passed away, he had come back to his home town Matsushiro to exclusively serve his feudal lord Matsudaira Tadamasa in Kawanakajima, Shinshu domain in Gen-na 2 (1616). He had moved to Takada town, Echigo in Gen-na 5 (1619) then again addressed to Kitano-sho, Fukui, Echizen domain to follow his lord Matsudaira Tadamasa in Kanei 1, (1624).
In the 2nd month, Kanei 4 (1627), he changed his smith name from SUKEMUNE @ to KUNIKIYO to obtain Yamashiro-daijo title from the Imperial Court then upgraded to Yamashito-no-kami title in the following year Kanei 5 (1628). He also was officially allowed to chisel the official Imperial Seal of Japan 16 petals of chrysanthemum flower crest e. This is for him to compete with his rival YASUTSUGU Np who obtained Aoi crest from TOKUGAWA Shogunate. Passed away Kanbun 5 (1665), buried at Seien-ji temple .
The shape of this wakizashi is quite rare, splendid Katagiri-ha which had come into vogue during Momoyama period. Width is wide and curvature is shallow leading to wide upper Fukura area in full in decent shape. Temper shows Nie-based Notare mixing with Gunome and the interior is splendidly active with rich Nie activity such as streaming Sunagashi, Kinsuji and Ni-ju-ha which is vivid and bright. From those major character of carvings of this article - Bonji on groove and deep in carving, this is understood that KUNIKIYO made this Wakizashi under strong influence by the ancient top article of SADAMUNE @. This wakizashi is the good example of 1st smith KUNIKIYO that shows his skill is supreme not only Yamashiro school but also even better in Soshu technique. Among similar works, this blade gives off the great delight and had been transmitted by the Samurais in generations throughout Edo period and treasured by enthusiastic collectors in modern times.
Gold foiled habaki collar. Comes in Shira-Saya plain wood mounting.
An old good polish/Condition scale: very good (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor).
reference data:
Katana Chrysanthemum crest Yamashiro-no-kami Fujiwara KUNIKIYO In the 2nd moth Kanei 9, 35th JUYO Token
Kojima Tsutomu Token Bijutsu, NBTHK April, May, June 2011