Katana by Kawachi no Kami Kunisuke

Kawachi no Kami Kunisuke (2nd generation), commonly known as "Naka-Kawachi," was a master smith of the Shintō period, based in Settsu Province (modern-day Osaka Prefecture). Born as the son of the 1st-generation Kunisuke, he inherited the techniques of the Settsu tradition from his father while establishing his own distinctive hamon style. The hallmark of 2nd-generation Kunisuke is the vibrant and irregular hamon known as "kobushigata chōji" (fist-shaped clove pattern), which he himself devised. The large, dynamic chōji patterns enliven the blade and have garnered high esteem among connoisseurs. The jigane exhibits a finely packed ko-itame grain that is uniformly finished, with fine ji-nie imparting a soft luster. Against the backdrop of Osaka's flourishing commercial culture, 2nd-generation Kunisuke received commissions not only from samurai but also from wealthy merchants and townspeople. His blades achieve a high balance between practical function and aesthetic refinement. His reputation spread widely throughout the Edo period. Numerous surviving works are designated as Jūyō Tōken (Important Swords), and his pieces appear frequently in the catalogues of the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords, positioning him as the premier representative smith of Settsu Shintō.