COURTESY OF SESKO’S SWORDSMITHS A-Z:

KUNITERU (国輝), 1st gen., Kanbun (寛文, 1661-1673), Iyo – “Izumi no Daijō Fujiwara Kuniteru” (和泉大掾藤原国輝), “Yoshū Matsuyama-jū Nagakiyo” (予州松山住長清), “Yoshū Matsuyama-jū Fujiwara Kanenaga” (予州松山住藤原金長), real name Miyoshi Tarōbei (三好太郎兵衛), he changed his first name later Tōshirō (藤四郎) and signed in early years also with Kanenaga (金長) and Nagakiyo (長清), student or son of Nagakuni (長国), he received the honorary title Izumi no Daijō on the first day of the third month Kanbun three (1663) and died in the ninth year of Genroku (元禄, 1696) at the age of 70, itame mixed with masame, gunome-midare, suguha, chū-suguha, chūjō-saku

There were three generations of Kuniteru from Iyo province. The NBTHK papered this sword to Kuniteru in 1980. In those days later generations were generally indicated on the papers. If not, it typically meant the work was by the shodai.

*Note. These are older NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho papers from the 1980 US Taikai. These were the highest level paper issued at that shinsa. I have no doubt the sword would paper today to at least Hozon. However, I have no idea as to which generation it might be attributed to. 

This sword is a bit longer than average at 27.6” nagasa. It stunning in hand with a multitude of hataraki for one to study. I wish the photos couls show just how nice this sword is. The polish is excellent as is the condition.

It comes with one of the finest habaki you will ever see, made by Brian Tschernega. The habaki alone is worth approximately 2.5K.

SOLD