Awataguchi Kunikiyo
粟田口国清
Description
Lineage
Awataguchi Kunikiyo was the fourth son of Kuniie, founder of the Awataguchi school, and is counted among the "Six Awataguchi Brothers." Known by the common name Shirōbyōe, he is recorded as active during the Kennin era (c. 1201–1204).
Reputation
Sword reference works classify him among the saijō-saku (highest-rank) makers of the kotō period. Few signed works of his survive, but one tachi passed down through the Matsudaira family of Unshū (Izumo) has been certified as an Important Art Object (Jūyō Bijutsuhin).
Standing
Together with his brothers Kunitomo, Hisakuni, Kuniyasu, Arikuni, and Kunitsuna, he served as one of the goban-kaji (rotating imperial swordsmiths) to the retired Emperor Go-Toba, forming the core of the Awataguchi school and standing among the representative masters of the early-Kamakura Yamashiro tradition.
Famous Works
- 太刀（重要美術品、雲州松平家伝来）