KUNIMUNE

WAKIZASHI in KOSHIREA

SUGATA: SZ

MEI: KUNIMUNE

DATE: NONE

NAGASA: 14.25”

OVERALL: 19”

MIHABA: 1″

KASANE: 0.1875″

SORI: 0.125”

NAKAGO: UBU

MEKUGI ANA: TWO

YASURIME: KATTE SAGARI

MUNE: IORI

HADA: ITAME

HAMON: GUNOME

BOSHI: KOMARU

HORIMONO OMOTE: NONE

HORIMONO URA: NONE

HABAKI:  1 PC. SILVER

KOSHIRAE

This sword is signed Kunimune nijimei (two character). There are over 30 listed smiths who signed using variations of this mei. They are listed from the Shogen era (1259-1260) up to the current time.

Without a date or more detailed mei, pinpointing which Kunimune possibly made this sword is like the old saying of, “trying to find a needle in a haystack”.

Of course this is not one of the oldest Kunimune, and my opinion based on everything seen is early-mid Edo and possibly as old a Muromachi period.  Only a shinsa submission might reveal a more accurate interpretation.

This wakizashi could be considered an O-tanto or Ko-wakizashi. However in today’s shinsa world it would only be papered as a wakizashi.

The blade is in good polish and condition. There are a few scuffs and a couple of areas of loose hada, but there are no flaws present. The nakago is ubu with 2-3 nakago ana. I say 2-3 as one has resulted from 2 ana being co-joined. One can only surmise that this is a result of remounting. 

The hada is itame with a few areas of mokume. The hamon is gunome and quite active.

The koshirae features a brown ishime saya. Koiguchi, kurigata, and kojiri are all buffalo horn. Tomoe mons are seen on the f/k and menuki. The tsuba is iron with various mons or window scenes applied. Kozuka depicts a Phoenix or Ho-bird. Kogatana is present but needs polish. It is signed and has a horimono of So no Kurikara (dragon on ken).

$1000 plus S/H and any additional associated fees (pp, wire, etc.)

Note as with any un-papered item, all information regarding the mei is only a translation of what is inscribed on the item. This and any other information given is done so as a courtesy only and is not an indication, opinion or guarantee of shoshin or anything for that matter. (see policy page). No guarantee or warranty shall be given or implied.