Wakizashi: Yamashiro No Kami Kunikiyo
Manji
Yon-nen San Gatsu Ju-ku Nichi
Yamano
Kauemon Nagahisa (Kao)
Futatsu-do
Kiri-otoshi
Jidai: Early Shinto
Horikawa
School
This
sword is by the First generation Yamashiro No Kami Kunikiyo. Since
this is
an above average work from this smith, we are fortunate to be able
to see
such a great example for study. Originally from the Shimada
School,
Kunikiyo went to train under the famous Horikawa Kunihiro and went
to
become one of the better smiths from that school. This being the
case, is
very outstanding because many great smiths had come from this
school such
as Kunisuke, Kunimichi, Kunisada……
Kunikiyo worked in both
Suguha as well as Midare done in the Soshu style. Later generations specialized
in this as well, but more in the Suguha tradition which resembles the
Hizen style of Suguha.We are lucky to have both the Shodai as well as
an example of the Nidai for this months study, especially since one is
done in the Soshu style and the other in the Suguha tradition. This example
of the Shodai is done in the Soshu midare style often found in Horikawa
works. The wide shape with the extended point as well as with the Soshu
style horimono should lead you to the Shinto period, then to the Horikawa
School. The Nie in the Hamon is strong and of good quality, with a different
look than that of the Koto or Shinshinto period. As for the Jigane, the
so-called “Horikawa” Hada-mokume with masame mixed being a little “hada
–tachi” or rough. This is a key trait in identifying swords from this
school
