Yamashiro school swords have the characteristic as below.
Sugata(shape)—–Generally the width of the blade is narrow, especially around yokote line. The bottom of the blade has funbari(A line shape). Thick Kasane. The type of the curvature is usually kyo-zori (highest curvature comes around the center). Small Kissaki with fukura (rounded). Shinogi is high with gyo-no-me or sin-no-me.
Horimono(Engraving)—–The tip of a Hi (樋,groove) is the exact proper shape. Sometimes you may see Bonj (Sanscrit) and suken (sword illustration).
Nakago(中心)—–Long and thin with curvature
Hamon(刃文)—– Mostly suguha (straight line), double straight line, straight line with the irregular line. Sometimes thin gold line like lightning shape faintly appears. The temper line is Nie Base.
佐野美術館図録１ 豊後国行平(Bungo-no-kuni-Yukihira Sano Museum Catalogue)*
Boshi(鋩子)—– Small round and large round.
Jitetu(地鉄)—– Well forged fine surface. Small burl pattern. Lots of Jinie(地沸) on the surface.
Names of the swordsmiths during the middle Kamakura period
Awataguchi group —– Awataguchi kunituna (粟田口国綱)
Ayanokouji group —–Ayanokouji sadatoshi (綾小路定利)
Rai group —————-Rai kuniyuki (来国行) Rai Nijikunitoshi (来ニ字国俊)
Other provinces who made Yamashiro style at this time
Sagami-no-kuni-Yamanouchi-Kunituna （相模国山内国綱）
Bungo-no-kuni-Yukihira （豊後国行平）
Higo-no-Enjyu （肥後の延寿）
佐野美術館図録１ 来国俊2 （Sano Museum Catalogue Rai-kunitoshi)*
*許可済み（received permission)
