Sword : # SD-011

Katana, 50th (2004) NBTHK Juyo Token

Osuriage mumei attributed to Rai Kunimitsu

Rated Sai-Josaku by Fujishiro in Nihon Toko Jitten, Koto Hen.

Jidai (era) : late-Kamakura, early 14th century / ca. 1330

Sayagaki by Tanobe Michihiro of the NBTHK noting that the sword is Juyo Token, and the additional important qualitative notation, chincho (especially precious treasure).

Shape : Shinogi-zukuri, torii-sori & chu-kissaki

Horimono : Bohi on both side

Nagasa / cutting-edge : 27-5/8" or 70.2 cm

Nakago / Tang : 6-3/4" or 17.2 cm

Total blade length : 87.4 cm

Blade width at habaki : 3.0 cm

Blade width at Yokote-level : 2.2 cm

Thickness at munemachi : 8.1 mm

Kissaki : 3.1 cm

Sori : 2 cm

Hada : there is a hint of Rai-jigane, tight tatsu itame ko-mokume packed with ji nie, profuse chikei, and nie utsure.

Hamon : a brilliant suguba Ko-midare with short koichigaiba in ko-nie deki with gunome, choji, and ashi, ha nie, and profuse kinsuji.

Boshi is ko-maru.

Condition : in polish, heavy, very thick & very healthy, the health-condition & thickness of the blade is outstanding, & as well the workmanship.

There is a kirikomi (sword-cut) on the mune, proof of the durability and strength of this sword.

A superb & powerful very fine example of Rai Kunimitsu work !

Price : $58,000

The Rai school, also known as Kyoto or Kyo, was founded by Kuniyuki, the son of Awataguchi Kuniyoshi, around Bunei (1268-1276). The was followed by Niji Kunitoshi, Rai Kunitoshi, Rai Kunimitsu, Rai Kunistugu, etc.

Rai Kunimitsu was active in later Kamakura. He made many tanto, but few tachi. Some of his tachi resemble Kuniyuki or Niji Kunitoshi. However, Kuniyuki produced bluish steel and Niji Kunitoshi's blades have a black cast.

Kunimitsu occasionally produced swords in the old sugata, resembling Tachi of the Heian or early Kamakura periods, however, generally his swords have a grander feeling. As would reflect his time, his boshi are larger than those of his predecessors. Suguba is his most commonly used hamon pattern, though frequently mixed with gunome-choji midare.

Rai kunimitsu swords exhibit some of the characteristics of what would later become the Soshu-den school.