Rai Kuniyuki – Study of Japanese Sword

April 26, 2019May 25, 2021 Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 52| Part 2 of ---17| Late Kamakura Period Tanto(Early Soshu Den), Uncategorized

50|Part 2 of –16 Late Kamakura Period: Tanto (Early Soshu-Den 鎌倉末短刀, 正宗墓)

Chapter 50 is a continued part of 16| Late Kamakura period Tanto (Early Soshu-Den 鎌倉末短刀). Please read Chapter 16 before reading this section.

0-timeline - size 24 Late Kamakura

The red circle above indicates the time we discuss in this section.

In 16| Late Kamakura period: Tanto (Early Soshu-Den 鎌倉末短刀) , the general characteristics of the late Kamakura period Tanto style (early Soshu Den) was described. The next two photos fit in with the typical features of early Soshu Den Tanto.

Masamune

Goro Nyudo Masamune (五郎入道正宗) was born in Kamakura as a son of Tosaburo Yukimitu (藤三郎行光). Today, Masamune is a very well-known swordsmith, even among those who are not very familiar with the Japanese sword. His father, Tosaburo Yukimitsu was also one of the top swordsmiths among the early Soshu Den. Masamune’s tomb is in Honkaku-JI (本覚寺) Temple, approximately a 6 minutes’ walk from Kamakura station.

Masamune photo (above) —– Hira-zukuri (flat). Very slightly Sakizori (tip area curves slightly outward). Bo-hi and Tsure-hi (parallel thin grooves). Komaru-boshi. Itame-hada (wood grain pattern). Hamon is Notare (wavy). The illustration above shows Sunagashi and Niju-ba (double Hamon). This type of Nakago is called Tanago-bara. Masamune Tanto is often Mu-mei (no signature). This particular tanto is called Komatsu Masamune (小松政宗). The Sano Museum Catalog’s description stated that connoisseurs in the past had difficulty determining this is Masamune sword. Because the wide Mihaba with sori and hamon was a little different from other Masamune’s. Judging from the clear Nie, Chikei, and Kinsuji, they determined it was a Masamune Tanto.

Enju Photo below

Higo Province Enju Kunisuke From Sano Museum Catalog
(permission granted)

Enju (延寿) group lived in Higo (肥後) Province in Kyushu. The characteristics of the Enju group is very similar to that of the Yamashiro Den’s. It is because Enju Kunimura was related to Rai Kuniyuki of Yamashiro-Den.

Enju (Photo above) —-Hamon is Hoso-suguha (straight temper line). Boshi is Komaru. The front engraving is Suken (left photo left side), and the engraving on the back is Gomabashi (left photo right side). Ji-hada is a tight Itame. It is confusing to Kantei (determining who made the sword) a sword like this because even though this sword is from the late Kamakura period, it does not have the typical early Soshu Den look.

Masamune’s Tomb in Honkaku-ji Temple

Masamune’s (正宗) tomb is in the Honkakuj-Ji Temple (本覚寺) in Kamakura. Here is a map of the Honkaku-Ji Temple and Masamune Kogei store in Kamakura. This store is owned by Tsunahiro Yamamura, the 24^th generation of Masamune. Honkaku-Ji Temple is circled in red, and Masamune Kogei store is the red circle with X. Both are approximately a 6 to 7 minutes walking distance from Kamakura station.

To get to Honkaku-Ji Temple from Tokyo

Take the Yokosuka line train from Tokyo station (approx. one hour) → Get off at Kamakura Station (one stop after Kita-Kamakura) → Exit from the East Exit (front exit) → Go straight and cross the road → Turn right and go up to the post office → Turn left at the post office (Honkaku-ji Temple sign is at the corner of the post office) →The temple is at a short distance from the post office.

52 Honkakuji map in red

From Kamakura Tourist map

52 Honnkakuji 2 54 large Masamune monument only

52 Honkakuji 54 Small Masamune tomb only

Honkakuji Temple (本覚寺) and Masamune Tomb (正宗墓 ) My trip in 2019

January 19, 2019May 24, 2021 Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 9| «Part 2» Middle Kamakura Period Yamashiro Den, Uncategorized

41| Part 2 of — 8 Middle Kamakura Period: Yamashiro Den 鎌倉中期山城伝

This chapter is a detailed part of Chapter 8| Middle Kamakura Period –Yamashiro Den（鎌倉中期山城伝). Please read Chapter 8 before reading this chapter.

0-timeline - size 24 Middle Kamakura

　　　　　The red circle indicates the time we discuss in this section

During the Middle Kamakura period, there were three main groups among the Yamashiro Den. They are Ayano-koji (綾小路) group, Awataguchi (粟田口) group, and Rai (来) group.

When we refer to a certain group, we say, “xxx ha”, “xxx ippa “, or “xxx ichimon “. We use those three words interchangeably. They all basically mean a “group”. For example, we say Ayano-koji Ippa, means Ayano-koji group.

Ayano-Koji Ippa (綾小路 )

Sugata (shape) —————- In general, gentle or graceful Kyo-zori shape. The difference between the width of the Yokote line and Machi is not much. The sword is slender yet thick. Small Kissaki
Hi and Engraving ———————- Bohi (one groove) or Futasuji-hi (double grooves)
Hamon ————————– Nie base with Ko-choji (small clove shape) and Ko-midare (small irregular). Small Inazuma (lightning like line) and Kin-zuji (golden streak) may show. Double Ko-choji (two Ko-choji side by side) may appear.
Boshi (tempered line at tip area) ——————Ko-maru (small round), Yakizume (refer to the illustration below), and Kaen (flame like pattern)
Ji-hada ————– Small wood grain with a little Masame (straight grain) Ji-nie shows.
Nakago (hilt) ————————– Long, slightly fat feeling
Ayano-Koji swordsmiths–——Ayano-koji Sadatoshi (綾小路定利), Sadanori (定則)

Awataguchi Ichimon (粟田口)

Many swordsmiths from Awataguchi Ichimon (group) received the honor of the Goban Kaji (meaning top swordsmith) from Gotoba Joko (Emperor Gotoba 後鳥羽上皇 ). Their general characteristic is as follows.

Sugata (Shape) ————————————– Elegant shape Torii-zori (or Kyo-zori) shape
Hi and Engraving ————– The tip of Hi comes all the way up and fill in the Ko-shinogi. The end of the Hi can be Maru-dome (the end is round), Kakudome (the end is square) or kakinagashi

9 «part 2» 大小丸,焼詰,丸角止, 掻流　　

Maru-dome (rounded end) Kaku-dome (square) Kakinagashi

Hamon ————— The slightly wider tempered line at the bottom then it becomes narrow tempered line at the top. Nie base (this is called Nie-hon’i). Straight tempered line mixed with Ko-choji (small clove) or wide straight line mixed with choji. Awataguchi-nie appears. Awataguchi-nie means fine, deep and sharp shiny Nie around tempered line area. Fine Inazuma (lightning-like line) and Kinsuji (golden streak) appear.
Boshi (tempered line at the tip area) ————- Ko-maru (small round) or O-maru (large round). The return is sharrow. Yakizume, Nie Kuzure, and Kaen (flame)

Yakizume 　　　　　O-maru　　　　　Ko-maru　　　 Yakikuzure

Ji-hada ————- Fine Ko-mokume (wood swirls) with Ji-nie. Nie on Ji-hada. Yubashiri, Chikei appears.
Nakago ——————————– Often two letter inscription
Names of Awataguchi swordsmiths —– Awataguchi Kunitomo (粟田口国友 ), Hisakuni (久国), Kuniyasu (国安), Kuniyasu (国安), Kunikiyo (国清)

Rai Ha (来)

A general characteristic of Rai group is as follows. However, each swordsmith has own characteristics.

Sugata (shape) ———— Graceful with dignity. Thick body. Rai made Ikubi Kissaki.
Hi and Engravings ———————— Wide and shallow Hi.
Hamon —————— Nie base. Suguha (straight). Wide Suguha with Ko-midare (small irregular) and Choji (clove). Sometimes large Choji at the lower part and narrow Suguha at the top. Inazuma and Kin-suji appear around Yokote area.
Boshi ———————————— Komaru, Yakizume (refer to the illustration above)
Ji-hada –———– Finely forged Itame (small wood grain) sometimes mixed with Masame (parallel grain). Fine Nie. Rai group sporadically shows Yowai Tetsu (weak surface) which may be the core iron.
Swordsmiths of Rai Ha —— Rai Kuniyuki (来国行), Kunitoshi (国俊), Ryokai (了戒 )

Rai Kunitoshi is said to be Rai Kuniyuki’s son. Ryokai is said to be Rai Kunitoshi ‘s son.

Rai Kuniyuki (来国行）Once my family sword, photo taken by my father with his writing.

Rai Kuniyuki (来国行）Sano Museum Catalogue (佐野美術館) (permission granted)

January 9, 2019July 6, 2021 Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 8| «Part 2» Overview of the Kamakura Period Sword 1192-1333, Uncategorized

40|Part 2 of — 7 Overview of Kamakura Period Sword (鎌倉太刀概要)

This is the second part of Chapter 7| Overview of the Kamakura Period Swords (1192-1333). Please read chapter 7 before reading this section.

0-timeline - size 24 Kamakura Period

The red circle above indicates the time we discuss in this section.

The Kamakura period was the golden age of sword making. Approximately half of the well-known swords at present were made during the Kamakura period. It is probably because the war between the Genji and the Heishi demanded many swords, and the swordsmiths improved their swords through the war experience. Also, Emperor Gotoba (後鳥羽) invited many skilled swordsmiths to his palace and treated them highly, and encouraged them to create excellent swords by giving them high ranks. During the Kamakura period, the techniques of sword making improved significantly.

Middle Kamakura Period —- Yamashiro Den (山城伝)

The Middle Kamakura period was the height of the Yamashiro Den. Among Yamashiro Den, there were three major groups (or families). They are Ayanokoji group (綾小路), Awataguchi group (粟田口), and Rai group (来).

Among the Awataguchi group, six swordsmiths received the honor as the “Goban-kaji ” from the Emperor Gotoba (後鳥羽上皇). Awataguchi is the name of an area in Kyoto.

Ayanokoji ( 綾小路 ) group lived in the Ayanokoji area in Kyoto. My sword textbook had a note that I saw Ayanokoji Sadatoshi (綾小路定利 ) on March 22^nd, 1972. The note was not much but it said O-suriage, Funbari, narrow–body, and Ji-nie.

Rai group started from Rai Kuniyuki (来国行 ). Rai Kuniyuki and Ayanokoji Sadatoshi are said to have had a close friendship. Rai Kuniyuki created many well-known swords. His famous Fudo Kuniyuki (不動国行) was owned by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiteru (足利義輝 ), then changed hand to Matsunaga Danjo (松永弾正), then to Oda Nobunaga ( 織田信長 ) to Akechi Mitsuhide (明智光秀 ), then to Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊臣秀吉). They were all historically famous powerful Daimyo. It is said that Toyotomi Hideyoshi held this sword for the memorial service of Oda Nobunaga. Rai Kuniyuki’s son was Niji Kunitoshi. He also created well-known swords.

Middle Kamakura Period —– Bizen Den (備前伝)

The Bizen Den during the Heian period was called Ko-bizen. They are similar to the one in the Yamashiro Den style. The true height of the Bizen Den was in the Middle Kamakura period. The Bizen area (today’s Okayama prefecture) had many ideal aspects for sword making: the good climate, the good production of iron, the abundant wood for fuel, and the convenient location. Naturally, many swordsmiths moved there, and it became a major place to produce swords.

The Bizen region produced many swords whose quality level was higher than other sword groups and more famous swordsmiths. Fukuoka Ichimonji Norimune (則宗) and his son Sukemune (助宗 ) received the honor of the Goban-kaji from the Emperor Gotoba.

Among the Osafune group (長船), famous Mitsutada (光忠) and Nagamitsu (長光) appeared. My father owned four Mitsutada. Three Tachis and one Tanto. He was so proud of owning four Mitsutada that he asked his tailor to monogram Mitsutada on the pocket inside of his suit jacket.

From Hatakeda group (畠田), Hatakeda Moriie (畠田守家), and from Ugai (鵜飼) group, Unsho (雲生 ) and Unji (雲次) appeared. The famous Kunimune (国宗) also appeared around this time. Because there were many swordsmiths in the Bizen Den, a large number of Bizen swords exist today. Each swordsmith showed his own characteristics on their swords. Therefore, kantei on Bizen swords can be complex. This is the time Ikubi Kissaki appeared.

The classification of the sword ranking from the top

Kokuho (国宝: National Treasure)
Jyuyo Bunkazai (重要文化財: Important Cultural Property)
Jyuyo Bijutu Hin (重要美術品: Important Artwork)
Juyo Token (重要刀剣: Important Sword) more to follow

Below are my father’s four Bizen Osafune Mitsutada. He took those pictures many years ago at home. You can see he was not much of a photographer. He wrote the name of the swordsmith, the period the sword was made, the name(s) of Daimyo who owned it in the past, and the classification on a rectangular white paper.

Osafune Mitsutada (Juyo Bukazai) Osafune Mitsutada (Juyo Bunakzai)

Osafune Mitsutada (Juyo Token) Osafune Mitsutada(Juyo Bunkazai)

Late Kamakura Period —– Soshu Den (相州伝 )

Yamashiro Den started to decline in the latter part of the Kamakura Period. At this time, many swordsmiths moved to the Kamakura area under the new power of Kamakura Bakufu (鎌倉幕府) by the Hojo clan. The new group, Soshu Den (相州伝 ), started to emerge. Fukuoka Ichimonji Sukezane (福岡一文字助真) and Kunimune (国宗) from Bizen moved to Kamakura. Toroku Sakon Kunitsuna (藤六左近国綱) from Awataguchi group of Yamashiro Den moved to Kamakura. Those three are the ones who originated the Soshu Den in Kamakura. Kunitsuna‘s son is Tosaburo Yukimitsu, and then his son is the famous Masamune (正宗). Outside of Kamakura area, Yamashiro Rai Kunitsugu (来国次), Go-no-Yoshihiro (郷義弘) from Ettshu (越中) province, Samoji (左文字) from Chikuzen province (筑前) were the active swordsmiths.