AS22616 Wakizashi:(Gold Inlay)Rai Kuni Toshi Honna Cho Kon(Kao)(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)(NBTHK Hozon Tosogu)

Ordering number: AS22616
Wakizashi in Shirasaya with Koshirae(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)(NBTHK Hozon Tosogu)

Signature:(Gold Inlay)Rai Kuni Toshi Honna Cho Kon(Kao)
（金象嵌銘）来国俊本阿長根(花押)　　
Tempo 15 Nen Kou Tatsu 3 Gatsu Hi Chiga Chiai Ouju Ue Kore
天保十五甲辰三月日　千賀致愛(花押)応需上之
（と金象嵌銘がある）

Sayagaki(translation): Judged as Rai Kunitoshi by Honnami Nagane in March, Tempo 15(Kinoe Tatsu year), demanded and possessed by Senga Chiai. The length is over 1 Shaku 4 Sun. Written on a day in summer of Showa Hinoe Uma by Kanzan.(Kao)
鞘書：来国俊　本阿長根金象嵌無銘
天保十五甲辰三月日　千賀致愛□持之
長衣壱尺４寸余有之　昭和丙午夏日　　寒山誌（花押）

Koto: SAIJYO SAKU: OOWAZAMONO: YAMASHIRO
(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyojyo saku Jyo saku and regular saku)

This sword belongs to Jyo Jyo saku ranking.
Habaki: Gold foiled double habaki.
The blade is polished　by high ranking polisher.
Blade length:30.303cm or 11.929inches.
Sori:1.515cm or 0.597inches.
Mekugi:2
Width at the hamachi:2.44cm or 0.961inches.
Width at the Kissaki:1.89cm or 0.744inches.
Kasane:0.55cm or 0.217inches.
The weight of the sword:３２５grams
Era: Around the Einin era, the middle of the Kamakura period (1293)
Shape: The blade has small Wakizashi shape with Hi on the both sides. Sori is slightly deep and the whole blade looks very beautiful.
Jigane: Koitamehada is elaborate. Light Utsuri appears. Boshi turns back round.
Hamon: Niedeki Suguha with lots of Koshi and active Yo.
Sword weight 325 grams

Special feature: Kunitoshi is said to be a son of Rai Kunitoshi. We have 2-character Kunitoshi Mei and 3-character Rai Kunitoshi Mei, and it is not clear yet whether they are identical or not. There are some differences in how they made swords. Kunitoshi was good at Chojimidare with powerful shape, Rai Kunitoshi was good at making normal or elegant Suguha Hamon. Moreover, Kunitoshi made only one Tanto, but Rai Kunitoshi made so many Tanto.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Iron plate. Namban-ish patterns are engraved with gold color.
Fuchikashira: On Shakudo-Nanako plate, Japanese persimmon is engraved with coloring.
Saya: Black Roiro Saya. Chinese phenix(Hou-oh) is engraved with gold color.
Menuki: Shakudo plate. A rabbit is engraved with gold color.
Kozuka: On Shakudo-Nanako plate, Japanese persimmon is engraved with coloring.

From Aoi Art: This work has well-grained and elaborate Jigane. Gold inlay on Nakago is also very beautiful. Honnami Nagane’s judgement seems very fair and correct, and it has passed NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon shinsa.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token paper
NBTHK Hozon Tosogu paper
Aoi Art estimation paper: whole Oshigata　by　Ayaka Tsuruta