A72951(S2189) katana unsigned attributed to a work of RAI KUNIMITSU	NBTHK(9th JUYO TOKEN)
Koto Early Nanbokucho period (about 650 years ago) Yamashiro Length of cutting edge70.0cm Curvature1.6cm Width of base33.4mm Width of Yokote24.9mm Thickness of base7.0mm
Blade construction (kengyo) : Shinogi-zuruki, Iori-mune. Even it's Suriage shortened status, there is a waist pointed curve standing firmly in wide base with large Hiraji and there is less difference in Mihaba between base and tip, leading to an extended middle Kissaki. The entire shape is wide and heroically made. (click HERE for high resolution of the blade photograph) Carving: Kata-chiri style Bo-hi grooves which are chiselled half way into the tang on both sides. Forging pattern (kitae hada) : Kitae hada is fine Ko-Itame hada. The entire forging steel is covered with fine ji-nie (hard metal granules over the surface) and shows bluish, bright and shinning steel impression. Tempering pattern (hamon) : Hamon is fine ko-nie base, wide Suguha straight based, mixing with slight wavy indication. Habuchi tempered line is active with Short-ASHI feet, YOU dots, Hotsure fray and small Gunome slightly. The interior of temper is deep in whitish NIOI mist. The entire temper is in uniform manner and softly bright. Temper of tip (boshi) : Boshi is straight and sharpened up indication then small circle turns back. Tang (Nakago) : Nakago is O-suriage cut, unsigned. KIRI straight heel shape. Three Mekugi-ana peg holes. File mark is shallow Katte-sagari slanting left-word slightly. The sword smith frontier of 来 RAI school in Yamashiro domain is said as 国行 KUNIYUKI, his son 国俊 KUNITOSHI and 国光 KUNIMITSU. 来国光 Rai KUNIMITSU is said as a son or pupil of Rai KUNITOSHI. His real name is 次郎兵衛尉 Jirōbei-no-jo who had succeeded as head of inherited RAI. The workmanship of Rai KUNIMITSU varies widely, due to long period of work since Karyaku 1 (1326) until Kanou 2 (1351) from existing works with the date of year, and some shows an typical Yamashiro style tachi which is deep in curve, shallow in Mihaba leading to a small Kissaki for the nobility or the other example shows magnificent style, wide in Miahba, thick in Kasane leading to an large tip which would be made for Samurai class. This katana shows a typical shape during Kenmu (14th c.) period and fine Ko-Itame forging which is covered deep sparkling Ji-nie hard metal granules glitter. The entire blade remains an excellent condition over the 650 years. Gold foiled double layer habaki collar, preserved in a Shira-Saya plain wood mounting (Sayagaki written by Dr. Honma Kunzan).