Juyo Rai Kuniyuki katana

Juyo Rai Kuniyuki katana

• Status: Available
• Kanteisho: Juyo Token

Sword Identification
Classification: Katana (Mumei / Unsigned)

Attribution: Rai Kuniyuki (来国行)

Designation: 61st Jūyō Tōken (Important Sword)

Date of Designation: October 20, Heisei 27 (2015)

Measurements (Hōjō)
Length: 68.8 cm

Curvature (Sori): 1.7 cm

Base Width (Motohaba): 2.95 cm

Tip Width (Sakihaba): 2.2 cm

Kissaki (Point) Length: 3.2 cm

Nakago (Tang) Length: 18.4 cm

Tang Curvature: Very slight

Technical Characteristics
Shape (Sugata): Shinogi-zukuri with an Iori-mune. The blade has a standard width, with a moderate difference between the base and tip width. It features a deep curvature that continues toward the tip (Saki-zori) and ends in a medium point (Chū-kissaki).

Forging Pattern (Jitetsu): Itame-hada (wood grain) mixed with Mokume-hada (burl grain). The steel is dense and covered in fine ji-nie (sparkling crystals), showing a faint nie-utsuri (misty reflection).

Tempering Line (Hamon): Primarily a straight temper line (Suguha) mixed with small Choji (clove) and Gunome (undulating) patterns. There is a lot of activity like Ashi (legs) and Yo (leaves). Some parts show a double tempering line (Nijuba) and shimmering Nie crystals.

Tip (Boshi): Tempered in a straight line with a short, rounded turn-back (Komaru).

Tang (Nakago): O-suriage (greatly shortened). The tip is cut straight (Kirijiri). It has four peg holes (Mekugi-ana) and is unsigned.

Commentary & History
Rai Kuniyuki is considered the founder of the Rai School in Yamashiro Province. While there are only a few signed daggers (Tanto) remaining by him, there are relatively many long swords (Tachi). His work is generally dated to the Kōan era (late 13th century).

This particular blade is described as having a magnificent and powerful shape with a wide body. The workmanship in the steel (the “skin”) is refined, and the hamon shows a beautiful mix of classic Yamashiro elegance with the active, “clove” patterns typical of Kuniyuki’s best work.

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Tanobe-sensei sayagaki

城州来国行 (Joshu Rai Kuniyuki)

Translation: Rai Kuniyuki of Yamashiro Province.

Detailed Commentary (Smaller Characters):

第壱拾壱回重要刀剣指定品

Translation: Designated as a 61st Jūyō Tōken (Important Sword).

大磨上無銘也

Translation: This is a greatly shortened (O-suriage) blade and is unsigned (mumei).

同工特有ノ典雅且力強イ出来映ヲ示シ同作中ノ優品也

Translation: It displays the characteristic elegance and power unique to this smith; it is a superior masterpiece among his works.

刃長貮尺貮寸七分有之

Translation: The blade length is 2 shaku, 2 sun, 7 bu (approximately 68.8 cm). Signature & Seal:

惟時乙未神無月探山辺道識

Translation: Appraised by Tanobe Michihiro (Tanzan) in October (the month of the gods), 2015 (Year of the Wood Goat).