The circle indicates the time we are discussing in this section
Yamashiro school swords have the characteristics 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 or flares out like the lower part of Eiffel Tower). Thick Kasane. The type of the curvature is kyo-zori (highest curvature comes around the middle of the sword) or Koshi-zori (lower curvature). Small Kissaki with fukura (rounded). Shinogi is high with Gyo-no-Mune (行の棟) or Sin-no-Mune ( 真の棟).
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 shape like the lightning in the sky appears. The temper line is Nie Base. Nie and Nioi will be explained in the next chapter.
佐野美術館図録１ 豊後国行平(Bungo-no-Kuni-Yukihira Sano Museum Catalog) permission granted
Boshi(鋩子)—– Small round and large round.
Jitetu(地鉄)—– Well forged fine surface. Small burl pattern and wood grain pattern. Lots of Ji-Nie(地沸) on the surface.
Names of the swordsmiths during the middle Kamakura period
Ayano-Koji group —— Ayano-Koji Sadatoshi (綾小路 定利 )
Awataguchi group —– Awataguchi kunituna (粟田口国綱)
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）
