Tachi Signed Kunikane (Tokyo National Museum)

太刀銘国包（東京国立博物館）

Smith: Kunikane
Era: Heian period
Type: Tachi
Designation: Important Cultural Property (designated 1941)
Location: Held by the Tokyo National Museum

Description

Overview

This tachi is signed "Kunikane" and was designated an Important Cultural Property on July 3, 1941 (Shōwa 16). It dates from the Heian period. The e-Kokuhō commentary attributes it to the Ko-Bizen smith Kunikane. It is held by the Tokyo National Museum.

Workmanship

The blade is slender with a high koshi-zori and keeps the form of the late Heian period. The hamon mixes small midare with ko-chōji, the nie is coarse, and there are fine variations within the blade.