Kyoto-13 Posted June 13, 2024 Report Posted June 13, 2024 I recently acquired this sword and would appreciate any help from the community to either authenticate what I purchased or disclose anything that might seem incorrect. Below is the description that came with the sale of the sword. ・It is engraved with the name Kunimune(国宗) and has been authenticated by NBTHK(Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai, the most prestigious Katana certification organization in Japan) as "Uda Kunimune(宇多国宗)". ・The sword is authenticated by NBTHK as "Hozon Token(Special Valuable Sword)". This means that the maker of the sword is guaranteed and that the sword is well preserved. The certificate paper is included in the set. ・Koshirae's brilliance is also beautiful and harmonious and elegant. ・Uda Kunimune is a swordsmith ranked Jyosaku(上作=High Rank) in Suekoto(末古刀). ・The Uda were a group of swordsmiths who originated from Kunimitsu(国光) at the end of the Kamakura period (1192-1333) and flourished through the Nanbokucho period (1392-1333) and into the Muromachi period (1333-1568). ・Uda Kunimune 1st, who is said to have been active during the Eitoku period (1381-84), was the son of Kunimitsu(国光), the founder of the Uda school, and the younger brother of Kunifusa(国房). ・Uda Kunimune name flourished for several generations, and works from the late Kamakura period to the Nanbokucho period are called Ko Uda(古宇多), while those from the Muromachi period are called Uda(宇多). ・This sword has been authenticated by NBTHK as a late Muromachi period Uda Kunimune. Quote
Kyoto-13 Posted June 13, 2024 Author Report Posted June 13, 2024 I am trying to add additional images, but getting a error. Quote
Toryu2020 Posted June 13, 2024 Report Posted June 13, 2024 Andre - You have two papers there - the one from the NTHK gives the sword to the Bunmei era (1469-1487 - Yoshikawa Koen Sensei is included on that paper so you can bank on the attribution... -t 3 Quote
Jussi Ekholm Posted June 14, 2024 Report Posted June 14, 2024 Very long hira-zukuri katana. Rare to see them in this length. 1 Quote
Kyoto-13 Posted June 14, 2024 Author Report Posted June 14, 2024 6 hours ago, Jussi Ekholm said: Very long hira-zukuri katana. Rare to see them in this length. Hey Jussi, "hira-zukuri" refers to it being a flat blade without a ridge? Do you find the smith or attribution to the smith to be correct? Kunimune(国宗) Quote
Kyoto-13 Posted June 14, 2024 Author Report Posted June 14, 2024 17 hours ago, Toryu2020 said: Andre - You have two papers there - the one from the NTHK gives the sword to the Bunmei era (1469-1487 - Yoshikawa Koen Sensei is included on that paper so you can bank on the attribution... -t Thank you Thomas!! Since you mentioned this I've read up more about Yoshikawa Koen Sensei. Amazing individual!! Quote
Jussi Ekholm Posted June 14, 2024 Report Posted June 14, 2024 Yes you are correct on hira-zukuri. Most often katana in this form are little bit over 60,6 cm in length. Occasionally you see long ones of 70cm+ but yours is very long. My opinion doesn't really give any weight compared to professionals but I would agree with them. For what little I can see Uda Kunimune of late Muromachi is perfectly good judgement. 2 Quote
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