Wakizashi: Yamashiro No Kami Kunikiyo

Jidai: kanbun Shinto

Horikawa School

There are 2 famous generations of Yamashiro No Kami Kunikiyo, both worked in the suguha style as well as the Soshu tradition. Horimono seems to be more common on the first generations blades following the Horikawa Kunihiro tradition, but is seen on the Nidai’s blades as well. Carvings of this school are generally well executed, and the quality of their blades are very consistant.

This example of the Nidai Kunikiyo can be considered as a textbook example due to the fact that the Nidai produced quite a few swords in the Suguha tradition. The jigane is a little more tighter than the Shodai, as well as the Nie being a little less in abundance

Time period is around Kanbun, the typical Kanbun Shinto shape being very apparent in most of the Nidai’s work. Most people think that the Hizen School is the only one that made good Suguha, but there are a great many smiths which produced a very good quality straight temper. Even the famous Sukehiro of Osaka made a very excellent straight temper.

The use of the Kikumon with the “Ichi” character was used from the 2^nd generation onwards. Only the Shodai and the early Nidai signed without the “ichi” character. Tachi-mei is also a characteristic trait of this school, even on wakizashi. Many of the swords are also inscribed using “nanban tetsu” (foreign iron).

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