S4765(W2743) Wakizashi signed Dewa-daijo Fujiwara KUNIMICHI NBTHK(Hozon)
NBTHK(Tokubetsu Kicho)
NTHK(Shoshin)
Shinto early Edo period (Kan'ei era / circa 1624-) Yamashiro
Length of cutting edge 52.7cm Curvature 0.6cm Width of base 29.5mm Width of Yokote 19.5mm Thickness of base 6.5mm
Blade construction: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune, Width of base is wide standing firmly on base and there is harmonized degree of tapering from base to elongated middle Kissaki. The shape is created rather longer wakizashi in powerful battle style holding massive volume in durable construction which is designed for thrust rather than cut.(click HERE for the entire blade)
Forging(Hada): Forging pattern is Itame-hada and some indication of Mokume burl. Streaming Itame-hada appears along the side of Shinogi-ridge which is activated with sparkling martensite crystals of Ji-Nie against well refined bluish Jigane to generate long gleaming luster of Chikei over the Hiraji surface. Conspicuous Masame-hada appears on Shinogi-ji surface.
Temper(Hamon): Hamon is as bit on stronger side, martensite crystals of frosty Nie based with deep misty-Nioi. Starts with short Yakidashi that consists of small Gunome, undulating Notare and large Gunome, Box-like Gunome and Togari-ha which varies in shape and height. There works with thick feet of Ashi and boundary line glows bright with martensite crystals of Nie and deep in the Nioi mist-like crystalline area.
Tang(Nakago): Nakago is UBU original in ship-bottom shape. Yasurime is greatly slanting left Ō-sujikai with slight decorative Kesho file mark. Back ridge of Nakago is fully contour with Ō-sujikai filemark. The heel shape is U-shape of Kurijiri. One peg hole of Mekugi-ana. The signature inscription in front is large and powerfully chiselled getting in full of the Nakago, starts with the an official district title Dewa-daijo 出羽大掾, a name of clan Fujiwara 藤原 and the name of smith KUNIMICHI 国路.
Temper of tip(Boshi): Boshi forms a Gunome below Yokote ridge then small circle with an indication of a slight undulating the medium circle turns back in good manner so called "Mishina-boshi".

The famed sword artisan KUNIMICHI 国路 is one of the KUNIHIRO's 国広 most distinguished pupils. He was born in Tensho 4 (1576) from his posthumous work which is dated with an age "Auspicious day in the 5 th month, Keian 5 (1652), 77 years old" 『出羽大掾藤原来国路 慶安五年五月吉日 七十七歳作』.
He enjoyed Dewa-daijo 出羽大掾 title in the 10 th day, 10 th month Keicho 18 (1613) when he was 39 years old.
He is supposed to interchange with Mishina-school such as Iga-no-kami KINMICHI 伊賀守金道, Tanba-no-kami YOSHIMICHI 丹波守吉道 and E'chu-no-kami MASATOSHI 越中守正俊 and got high appraisal as one fo the best skilful also wide ranged workmanship among KUNIHIRO school. Long life, evaluated as Above Superior Made "Jō-jō-saku" with the glory of sharp cutting performance "Wazamono".

The subject wakizashi is traced back to on after the Shimabara Uprising in 1637-38. The shape is created in solidly durable construction which was ordered by courageous Samurai worrier under state of war. In detailed view on Jigane skin, this wakizashi is forged under Mino-tradition using super fine steel performing extra-brilliant quenching Hamon. Minute scene of forging to assent using the finest steel, more brilliant the Hamon to convince higher the tempering. These feature stands at the dawning of the new Yamashiro-shinto Age.
The shape of Nakago creates in ship-bottom that tapers toward the heel, clear file mark maintains and typical inscription signature.

Silver foiled single layer Habaki collar, preserved in plain wood Shira-saya mounting.
Good old polish/Condition scale : excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor)
reference data : Honma Kunzan/Ishii Masakuni, Nihonto meikan, Yuzankaku,1975
 
Wakizashi signed Dewa-daijo Fujiwara KUNIMICHI 
Wakizashi signed Dewa-daijo Fujiwara KUNIMICHI
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