A Kuniyoshi Katana (下総守国義)

This elegantly curved katana from the early Edo period has been attributed to Shimosa no Kami Kuniyoshi. Born Suzuki Sakunosuke and raised in Hyûga province, Kuniyoshi moved to the cultural capital of Kyoto where he trained under the highly accomplished shodai (first generation) Izumi no Kami Kunisada. He would later relocate to Hamada in Iwami province, signing his work as Nagatomo Sakunosuke Kuniyoshi. The deep curvature of this blade places its production early in his career, circa 1648 during the Keian era.

The steel is very well forged, presenting a fine ko-itame hada with clusters of visible nie crystals sprinkled along the nioguchi, and strong masame-hada running through the shinogi-ji. The hamon is a vibrant ko-choji midare in nie-deki, its small clove-bud forms bright and lively along the cutting edge, with fine ashi extending down toward the ha. Kinsuji channels add further energy through the temper line. The nakago is o-suriage – greatly shortened, with the original signature lost – but carefully executed, retaining a clean surface with horizontal kiri file marks.

The sword is mounted in a traditional uchigatana koshirae in classic black lacquer. The polished iron tsuba depicts peaceful fishing and mountain scenes and is signed by Tomonobu of the Chôshû school, accompanied by an NTHK-NPO Kanteishô certificate of authenticity. The fuchi-kashira features a magnificent hand-carved dragon with gold inlay details, signed by Seijô, also certified by the NTHK-NPO. Aristocratic court fan (hiogi) menuki in gold complete the fittings, while the sculpted tsuka is secretly signed by craftsman Higuchi Akihoshi. A handsome and cohesive set for this distinguished early Edo blade.