A Kunimichi Katana (出羽大掾藤原国路)

Dewa Daijo Fujiwara Kunimichi was born in 1596 and stands among the finest smiths of the early Edo period. Ranked Jojo-saku by Fujishiro and Wazamono by Yamada Asaemon, he trained under two towering figures: Iga no Kami Kinmichi of the Mishina school, and the grandmaster Horikawa Kunihiro himself – a lineage that placed Kunimichi at the very apex of Kyoto swordmaking. He is widely regarded as Kunihiro’s most accomplished student.

This katana was polished by a mukansa-rated polisher and presents in sublime condition. The hamon opens in crisp yakidashi suguha before opening into a flamboyant gunome midare with tobiyaki, sunagashi and kinsuji, finishing in the school’s characteristic Mishina boshi. The dense mokume jihada is well-defined and beautifully integrated with the activity. The blade has been shortened (suriage) to a practical Jo-sun length, retaining excellent proportion and handling.

Included with this sword is a lovely custom koshirae carrying a wise and noble inscription. The package is complete: shirasaya, koshirae, fabric bags, stand, kit, DVD, booklet, and description. NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon certified.