T281787(S8904)
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Katana unsigned attributed to a work of Rai KUNITOSHI with) Gold pearl of inlay Gold foil Taka-makie high relief Mokko crest scabbard Efu-style Tachi Koshirae

Koto the latter half of Kamakura period (Kouan - Genkou/1278 - 1320) Yamashiro
Length of cutting edge 66.2cm Curvature 1.9cm Width of base 28.6mm Width of Yokote 17.8mm Thickness of base 6.1mm

NBTHK(The 47th 2001 JUYO TOKEN) certificate

Gold pearl of inlay Gold foil Taka-makie high relief Mokko crest scabbard Efu-style Tachi Koshirae
(click HERE for front side and HERE for reversed side)

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Blade construction: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. Substantially shortened Ōsuriage. Both Mihaba and Kasane on base are ordinary, pronounced deep Koshi-zori, indication of waist pointed curve on base. There is narrow ratio of Hira-ji to Shinogi-ji with an appropriate degree of tapering from base leading to a compact chu-kissaki Ikubi-kissaki.(click HERE for higher resolution image of the entire blade)
Forging(Hada): Forging is conspicuous Itame hada in general. A bit on coarse side Ji-nie crystalline particles attach on surface that emits sparkling reflection of Nie. Darkish small lines of Nie so called "CHIKEI" activity wells out from fine steel.
Temper(Hamon): Hamon is, fine Nie of martensite crystalline base, Chu-Suguha with a bit with sedate wave outline, small feet of Ko-ashi and floating crystalline dots of YOU appear. The quenching activities such as Short lines of Nie SUNAGASHI or long line of Nie KINSEN run in the interior of boundary line.
Temper of tip(Boshi): Temper of boshi forms straight Suguha with an indication of Kuichigai activity then small circle turns back in gentle.
Tang(Nakago): The tang is substantially shortened "Ōsuriage" to be unsigned with round feel shape Kurijiri. Three peg holes with shallow slanting left (Katte-sagari) filemarks in front and horizontal (Kiri) filemarks in Hakiura side.

Here is a superb Tachi which is attributed to a work of Rai-KUNITOSHI 来国俊 that holds classical shape from Kamakura period.
KUNITOSHI 国俊 is said a son of KUNIYUKI 国行 who established the practical RAI school confronting each other with Awataguchi school in Yamashiro during Kamakura period.
After the passage of period smith KUNI-TOSHI 国俊 (two characters), the following age of Rai-KUNI-TOSHI 来国俊 (three characters) was ahead of Awataguchi school to play a major role of sword manufacturing not only for requirement from court house but also from increasing demand from Samurai class.
Subsequent generation of Rai-KUNIMITSU 来国光, Rai-KUNIZANE 来国真 and Rai-KUNITSUGU 来国次 had grown at the peak of Rai-school also had set up branches such as RYOKAI 了戒 in Yamashiro, Rai-KUNINAGA 来国長 in Settsu Osaka, Rai-MITSUKANE 来光包 in Oumi, Rai-KUNIYASU 来国安 in Echizen or Fujishima-TOMOSHIGE 藤島友重 in Kaga.
The major characteristics between KUNI-TOSHI 国俊 (two characters) and Rai-KUNI-TOSHI 来国俊 (three characters) can be distinguished from each other by the shape and Hamon. Stirring shape with flamboyant tassel-shaped Choji is judged as KUNITOSHI 国俊, whereas graceful shape with refined straight Suguha are mostly classified to KUNITOSHI 国俊.

In view of this blade, Fine Itame hada with vividly condensed crystalline particles of Ji-nie and medium Suguha with refined activity are actualized as an identification of Rai-KUNITOSHI 来国俊 that is well agreed and holding such high quality of the blade then was awarded in 2001 with the designation of the 47th JUYO TOKEN.

Gold pearl of inlay Gold foil Taka-makie high relief Mokko crest scabbard Efu-style Tachi Koshirae
(click HERE for entire image of front side and HERE for reversed side)
  • All metal fittings made of brass, Mokko-crest design, Nanako-ji surface, Takabori carving, unsigned
  • Brass Mekugi of Rice bag and military fan design
  • Kara-Tsuba with Tsuta ivy rings
  • Tsuka white rayskin wrap rivets of rice-bag design

Gold foiled single layer Habaki collar, Preserved in a Shira-Saya plain wood mounting.
Condition scale: excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor)