Sword by Rai kuniyuki

[nihon]

https://eirakudo.shop/touken/tachi/949282/

This is a nice piece by rai kuniyuki I'm looking to potentially get some time in the near future. Feels very elegant whilst not being to flashy. It still having the signature is a another upside. The tachi koshirae is very daimyo like, lots of gold. Though only tokubetsu hozon, It still out price many of the juyo swords the shop list. Overall a great piece by the founder of the prestigious Rai school in my eyes. But I'm looking for opinions from more experienced members to determine if getting this sword in the current time (considering the economy because of the tariffs) viable.

 

Jed

[PNSSHOGUN]

While certainly a fine and important sword, for such money there is a world of possibilities to choose from. The Tachi Koshirae looks rather modern, and not a superior example.

 

[Rivkin]

The problem is that she(?) is a great photographer. Her angled photos have such well positioned light source that any faint nioi hamon and utsuri pop up.

But... what you see in hands will be more like her "view from the top" image, unless one really puts an effort into finding just the right angle.

Its tired. There is one blob (though wide one) on one side in the center where the original utsuri and hamon are fully seen. The rest are mostly gone. Jigane is mostly gone.

Otherwise this would be TJ.

[nihon]

  On 4/10/2025 at 12:41 PM, Rivkin said:

Its tired. There is one blob (though wide one) on one side in the center where the original utsuri and hamon are fully seen. The rest are mostly gone. Jigane is mostly gone.

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I was wondering why one part of the sword looks more active whilst the rest looks bland. Only guessed it had been polished a few times form the habaki area as theres a slight dip in the blade there

[Okan]

I saw this blade in hand a couple of months ago. While it has a good shape, it was a bit tired, and at that range, there are quite a few other options to choose from..

 

-> https://eirakudo.shop/394514

 

 

 

[Bosco]

This was sold from Aoi . A solid 18ct Gold Koshirae. With that price you need a solid set of gold like this. I love gold I might order a Koshirae of 18ct gold as well. 

 

https://www.aoijapan.net/katana-fujishima-with-tachi-koshirae-using-solid-gold-fittings/

[Lewis B]

  On 4/10/2025 at 1:45 PM, Okan said:

I saw this blade in hand a couple of months ago. While it has a good shape, it was a bit tired, and at that range, there are quite a few other options to choose from..

 

-> https://eirakudo.shop/394514

 

 

 

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That 47g solid gold habaki is worth almost $5K in scrap gold value alone.

[nihon]

  On 4/10/2025 at 1:45 PM, Okan said:

I saw this blade in hand a couple of months ago. While it has a good shape, it was a bit tired, and at that range, there are quite a few other options to choose from..

 

-> https://eirakudo.shop/394514

 

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I have seen this blade before while a excellent piece from the early edo, the swords I'm currently looking for are high quality Kamakura blades.

-https://eirakudo.shop/312656

 

Probably above the current price point, another that fits my taste though Im not to well verse with bizan saburo kunimune. I do know that he was one of the smiths that layed the foundations of the soshu den tradition

 

[Lewis B]

  On 4/10/2025 at 2:06 PM, nihon said:

I have seen this blade before while a excellent piece from the early edo, the swords I'm currently looking for are high quality Kamakura blades.

-https://eirakudo.shop/312656

 

Probably above the current price point, another that fits my taste though Im not to well verse with bizan saburo kunimune. I do know that he was one of the smiths that layed the foundations of the soshu den tradition

 

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Looks to have a kirikomi on one side of the mune. Can't quite figure out if it has shintetsu along a section of the hada. But Tanobe sensei seems to like it.

[Jacques]

There are times when you have to keep your mouth shut or you'll become unpleasant....

[Rayhan]

Bizen Saburo Kunimune is one of the Soshu zero group, the founding pillars of Soshu Den, he would have a place in any one sword collection and the owner would be proud. There is a funny aspect with Saburo Kunimune swords as many (in the context of known and documented swords of Kunimune) are existing with signatures, however there are very few TJ and above. Owning one regardless is a definative moment for any collector looking for high end Kamakura. 

 

This sword though has a faded signature of sorts, hard to discern. It looks like first generation signature, remember there is a 2nd generation that signed with 5 characters. The second generation did more sugu style based hamon.

 

Shodai Kunimune did subtle Bizen hamon before Kamakura and more flamboyant gunome based hamon after (during).

 

The utsuri seems very forced by the polisher and interrupts more than exemplifies this smiths work. The bohi is later placement (open to opinions here). 

 

On the Rai, I also feel that this is in the wrong polish. It looks a tired sort but in both cases they are signed works so that is a definative point. With Rai you want Hamon to study, because Rai hada is interesting but Kuniyuki has such wealth in his hamon. 

 

I think in my personal opinion, if you want to spend this amount of money you should be willing to wait and find swords that really define these smiths in their pinacle works. 

 

All artisans and manufacturers have pinacle moments that command such prices so seek that moment in their work and don't settle for less. 

 

 

[Schneeds]

In my uneducated, yet philosophical opinion; if you have to ask when it's that level of money, you should probably wait.  Once you know precisely what you want, you'll know it when you see it. 

 

 

 

[Rayhan]

  On 4/10/2025 at 7:02 PM, Schneeds said:

In my uneducated, yet philosophical opinion; if you have to ask when it's that level of money, you should probably wait.  Once you know precisely what you want, you'll know it when you see it. 

 

 

 

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Totally agree. But it's really important to see than to feel

[Brano]

The worst thing you can do is buy a blade from a famous swordsmith just because it is from a famous swordsmith and the price seems low
If you can spare that amount for a purchase, rather invest 20% of that price and make repeated trips to Japan and study really good blades in museums and at dealers

[nihon]

  On 4/10/2025 at 7:40 PM, Brano said:

If you can spare that amount for a purchase, rather invest 20% of that price and make repeated trips to Japan and study really good blades in museums and at dealers

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I would do it but unfortunately I'm quite busy this year

[Bosco]

  On 4/10/2025 at 10:19 PM, nihon said:

I would do it but unfortunately I'm quite busy this year

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Then just buy it ?. Its has some gold right. Sort of smart investment right there ;). 

[Nickupero]

The Rai Kuniyuki won't disappoint, hataraki in general is amazing from this smith. I just got a hold of one, ubu Kijimono-gata Nakago but seems a good friend snatched it up before I could bring it home. 

[Rayhan]

  On 4/10/2025 at 10:34 PM, Bosco said:

Then just buy it ?. Its has some gold right. Sort of smart investment right there ;). 

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Any investment in an art form like Nihonto needs to be carefully considered. You cannot simply buy this and that Rai and assume monetary value...

 

Why not study Rai Kuniyuki a bit more and then see?

 

The future buyers will study and see also...

 

 

 

 

[Bosco]

  On 4/11/2025 at 1:31 AM, Rayhan said:

Any investment in an art form like Nihonto needs to be carefully considered. You cannot simply buy this and that Rai and assume monetary value...

 

Why not study Rai Kuniyuki a bit more and then see?

 

The future buyers will study and see also...

 

 

 

 

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I wasn’t talking about the blade. He assumed it is solid gold. So gold is investment.

[Hokke]

  On 4/11/2025 at 1:58 AM, Bosco said:

I wasn’t talking about the blade. He assumed it is solid gold. So gold is investment.

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well yes and no. Sure, gold will always be gold and as such carry value. However, investment gold is generally bullion. Anything fashioned from gold will never carry anywhere close to the premium of bullion unless its of historical or artistic value. 

[Bosco]

  On 4/11/2025 at 2:20 AM, Hokke said:

well yes and no. Sure, gold will always be gold and as such carry value. However, investment gold is generally bullion. Anything fashioned from gold will never carry anywhere close to the premium of bullion unless its of historical or artistic value. 

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Yeah, unless you can buy gold jewelry at spot price. I bought 100 grams gold bracelet last month at spot price. So yes there . I was making a joke anyway it’s a bad investment since he said it contains gold. Aoi art sold one koshirae with total of 577grams 18ct gold. That was the best investment.

[nihon]

I think I have decided against getting the Rai kuniyuki and instead focusing on getting a blade by bizen saburo kunimune as I have found more information and blades on/by him then kuniyuki

[nulldevice]

  On 4/11/2025 at 2:41 AM, nihon said:

I think I have decided against getting the Rai kuniyuki and instead focusing on getting a blade by bizen saburo kunimune as I have found more information and blades on/by him then kuniyuki

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You'd be hard pressed to go wrong with either IMO. Rai school and anything from the Bizen Naomune school will be top notch work no doubt!

[Brano]

  On 4/11/2025 at 2:41 AM, nihon said:

I think I have decided against getting the Rai kuniyuki and instead focusing on getting a blade by bizen saburo kunimune as I have found more information and blades on/by him then kuniyuki

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Jedediah - it's your money and your decision of course.
A friend who is also a member of this forum and an avid collector Bizen Den searched for a blade from this smith for several years before he got one that was worth it
Study Saburo Kunimune thoroughly and learn what you don't want on a blade from him
Spending money is the easiest thing in the world - the market offers thousands of ways to do it.

However, when it comes time to sell, you will have a very hard time selling such a blade to collectors because:
1. the number of people who can spend that amount on a blade is limited
2. these people usually know and understand what they are looking for

 

This is just friendly advice
Don't rush

[nihon]

  On 4/11/2025 at 7:16 AM, Brano said:

  On 4/11/2025 at 2:41 AM, nihon said:

 

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Jedediah - it's your money and your decision of course.
A friend who is also a member of this forum and an avid collector Bizen Den searched for a blade from this smith for several years before he got one that was worth it
Study Saburo Kunimune thoroughly and learn what you don't want on a blade from him
Spending money is the easiest thing in the world - the market offers thousands of ways to do it.

However, when it comes time to sell, you will have a very hard time selling such a blade to collectors because:
1. the number of people who can spend that amount on a blade is limited
2. these people usually know and understand what they are looking for

 

This is just friendly advice
Don't rush

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I agree, right now I'm scouting the current market to see what's available, what has been sold and some model examples by kunimune. So far I have found 3 for sale and dozen other examples by him. One seems to fit the standard I'm looking(though very few pictures of the blade)for but I'll wait to see if anymore better comes to the market.

 

https://www.nihonto.us/BIZEN SABURO KUNIMUNE.htm

 

This is the one I'm currently looking at.

Not to sure about the seller though 

[Brano]

  On 4/11/2025 at 9:35 AM, nihon said:

I agree, right now I'm scouting the current market to see what's available, what has been sold and some model examples by kunimune. So far I have found 3 for sale and dozen other examples by him. One seems to fit the standard I'm looking(though very few pictures of the blade)for but I'll wait to see if anymore better comes to the market.

 

https://www.nihonto.us/BIZEN SABURO KUNIMUNE.htm

 

This is the one I'm currently looking at.

Not to sure about the seller though 

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The seller is trustworthy
However, I think this blade has been sold for a long time ago - it's just that the website is not updated

 

[tom]

Here is an other Rai Kuniyuki.

 

https://www.nipponto.co.jp/swords2/KT221624.htm

 

 

Tom

[nihon]

https://www.aoijapan.com/tachi-norinari-ko-ichimonji69th-nbthk-juyo-token/

Recently listed ko-ichimonji sword. Looks really healthy and recent juyo papers too. Sadly have to pass since I have already decided on getting a kunimune sword. Though I share it.

 

Jed

[Hoshi]

Don’t restrict yourself too much when looking for a Kamakura period piece.

 

It can take many years to find a good, healthy Kunimune that has textbook characteristics. the vast majority of them are unfortunately worn down, or compromised in some way. 
 

Don’t buy a sword because the maker is a “big name” - chances are, what you’re looking at on the open internet are the compromise pieces that don’t get traction in the Japanese market. 

 

The gems go quietly to top clients who have a standing order with dealers. 
 

Great swords from this period are disappearing to private museums and foundation. 
 

Be patient, and take your time to learn and examine great blades. 

[nihon]

  On 4/12/2025 at 10:40 AM, Hoshi said:

Don’t buy a sword because the maker is a “big name” - chances are, what you’re looking at on the open internet are the compromise pieces that don’t get traction in the Japanese market. 

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I have been looking Kamakura period swords for a while, since a year or two ago. I want my first piece to be remarkable for me. Kamakura blades are always hit or miss for me. The ones that do hit for me are often gone with a week, month or even less. Now I'm am look at a kunimune sword but theres a 50/50 chance it's not available anymore. If so then I'll continue wait.