{"product_id":"mumei-rai-kunihide-katana-with-dragon-horimono-and-nbthk-tokubetsu-hozon-papers-kamakura-nanbokucho-period-early-14th-century","title":"Mumei Rai Kunihide Katana with dragon Horimono and NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon papers Kamakura-Nanbokucho Period (early 14th century)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMumei Rai Kunihide Katana with dragon Horimono and\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cabbr title=\"Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai\"\u003e\u003cabbr title=\"Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai\"\u003eNBTHK\u003c\/abbr\u003e\u003c\/abbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eTokubetsu Hozon papers Kamakura-Nanbokucho Period (early 14th century)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eType: Katana\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNakago: O-suriage Mumei\u003cbr\u003ePeriod: Late Kamakura-Nanbokucho period (ca. 1300-1350 AD).\u003cbr\u003ePapers:\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cabbr title=\"Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai\"\u003e\u003cabbr title=\"Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai\"\u003eNBTHK\u003c\/abbr\u003e\u003c\/abbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eTokubetsu Hozon \u003cbr\u003eHorimono: Yes, dragons (one chasing a fireball) (both sides of the sword)\u003cbr\u003eHabaki: solid Silver\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKoshirae: Shirasaya\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpecifications:\u003cbr\u003eNagasa (Cutting-edge length):\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e63.3 CM (2 Shaku 9 bu)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSori (Curvature): approx 1.2 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShinogi-zukuri\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDescription:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAttributed to den Rai Kunihide by\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cabbr title=\"Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai\"\u003e\u003cabbr title=\"Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai\"\u003eNBTHK\u003c\/abbr\u003e\u003c\/abbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eTokubetsu Hozon papers in 2023.  Rai Kunihide is allegedly the son of Rai Kunitsugu, the master swordsmith who is also thought of as one of Masamune's students. Rai Kunitsugu implemented some Soshu elements into the Rai school, which traditionally is a Yamashiro-den school. Rai Kunihide has only a few signed works recorded, which consist of two tachi and three yari. Works made by Rai Kunihide show similarity to his master, Rai Kunitsugu. The\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cabbr title=\"Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai\"\u003e\u003cabbr title=\"Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai\"\u003eNBTHK\u003c\/abbr\u003e\u003c\/abbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003erarely attributes a mumei sword directly to Rai Kunihide; there are, in total, very few mumei swords that have been attributed to (den) Rai Kunihide, which causes Rai Kunihide swords to rarely come to the market. Most likely because there is not a lot known about Rai Kunihide, and direct attribution is only made in cases where a sword exhibits a certain mix of Soshu-den and Yamashiro-den, with, of course, the typical Rai hada. Rai Kunihide allegedly had a son Rai Hidetsugu, who only has a few existing works, which has led some speculation that Rai Kunihide and Hidetsugu were the same person. This Katana has a mostly suguha hamon, with some stunning layered hataraki, especially going towards the kissaki, with the typical Rai school itame hada, which is nicely visible, but without a lot of shingane that is commonly seen on Rai school swords. And stunning nie that really reminds me personally of some Naoe Shizu work I have seen. The sword also has two horimono of dragons with one chasing a fireball, on the ji, this is on both the omote and ura of the sword. Important to note is that they are not precisely mirrored; one goes slightly below the habaki, while the other stays well above the habaki. It is, in my opinion, very well executed and overall a good addition to the sword. What needs to be added is that this horimono was not present on the sword when it was forged; it was later applied. Seeing as it is not worn, it is likely not very old. The overall condition of the sword is quite good, with a few small kitae-ware that overall do not distract from the quality of the sword. Overall, a stunning Rai school katana in shirasaya.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e(Disclaimer: The overview image has its background removed, which can create some slight artefacting around the cutting edge. There is no damage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eto the cutting edge or kissaki.)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Token Oranda","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57835185111423,"sku":null,"price":5900.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1014\/4435\/4431\/files\/Overview.png?v=1782400060","url":"https:\/\/tokenoranda.com\/products\/mumei-rai-kunihide-katana-with-dragon-horimono-and-nbthk-tokubetsu-hozon-papers-kamakura-nanbokucho-period-early-14th-century","provider":"Token Oranda","version":"1.0","type":"link"}