AS25635 Katana：(Kin Zogan Mei) Rai Kunitoshi Hon’ami (Kaō) (Red signature) (Mitsutada) (Unclear red inscription) (25th NBTHK Tokubetsu Juyo Token)

Ordering number:AS25635

Katana in Shirasaya (25th NBTHK Tokubetsu Juyo Token)

Signature: (Kin Zogan Mei) Rai Kunitoshi
Hon’ami (Kaō) (Red signature) (Mitsutada)
(Unclear red inscription)
(金象嵌銘)来国俊
本阿(花押)(朱銘)(光忠)
(朱書不明)

Sayagaki: By Mr. Tanobe
Designated as the 40th Juyo Token
Rai Kunitoshi of Jōshū.
The blade is ō-suriage with a kin zogan attribution by Hon’ami Mitsutada.
Also accompanied by an origami (authentication paper) by Hon’ami Mitsuhisa dated An’ei 3 (1774).
It displays an elegant and dignified shape, with a refined jigane and a calm straight hamon.
The attribution is most appropriate.
A healthy and highly refined masterpiece.
Rare and extremely valuable.
Blade length: just under 2 shaku 4 sun 5 bu
Kinoe-uma year (甲午, 2014)
Signed: Tanzan Henmichi (kaō)

Koto: Saijyo Saku: Yamashiro
Excellent Cutter (Ōwazamono): Yamashiro

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Saijyo Saku among the works attributed to (Kin Zogan Mei) Rai Kunitoshi.

Habaki: Silver base engraved with bird and kiri-mon.

Blade Length: 74.1 cm (29.17 in)
Curvature: 2.1 cm (0.83 in)
Mekugi Hole: 4
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.86 cm (1.13 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 1.75 cm (0.69 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.71 cm (0.28 in)
Sword Weight: 755 g
Era: Late Kamakura period, around the Shōwa era (1312–1317)
Shape:The blade has slightly wide mihaba, solid kasane, and deep sori, with a rather narrow kissaki.
Jigane:Well-forged ko-itame with ji-nie and visible utsuri.
Hamon:A nioi-based straight hamon, bright and clear.
A refined and elegant piece of high dignity.

Features:This sword was designated as the 40th Juyo Token in 1994 (Heisei 6), and later passed the 25th Tokubetsu Juyo Token in May 2, 2018 (Heisei 30).
Rai Kunitoshi is believed to be the son of Rai Kunitoshi.
There are signatures with both two characters “Kunitoshi” and three characters “Rai Kunitoshi”, and scholars debate whether these refer to the same or different individuals.
Although no firm conclusion has been reached, differences in workmanship allow for practical differentiation.
The two-character “Kunitoshi” often features powerful styles with itame and chōji-midare hamon, while “Rai Kunitoshi” tends to have straight or small chōji-midare hamon.
Considering the production periods, it is not unreasonable to believe they may be the same person, and the unified theory has been gaining support in recent years, though some still advocate for them being different smiths.
This blade is an ō-suriage mumei piece with a kin zogan attribution to Rai Kunitoshi by Hon’ami Mitsutada.
It features strong koshi-zori with an elegant, graceful silhouette that tapers toward the tip, showcasing a calm and refined straight hamon with a clear nioiguchi.
The well-forged ko-itame hada is brightly golden and exquisitely refined.
Furthermore, the jigane and hamon are both in excellent condition.
Note: Although the Juyo Token certificate mentions an origami by Hon’ami Mitsuhisa, it is not currently included.

Historical Context:
Late Kamakura period, around the Shōwa era (1312–1317)
In Japanese history, this period saw a shift in power within the Kamakura shogunate.
After the death of the 10th regent Hōjō Morotoki, Hōjō Munenobu became the 11th regent, but retired and died only 8 months later.
Hōjō Hirotoki then served as interim regent until Hōjō Takatoki, still a child, inherited leadership of the Tokusō family.
During this time, real political power was held by Nagasaki Enki (the naikanryō) and Adachi Tokiaki (a maternal relative), marking the beginning of unstable governance under the Tokusō autocracy.

25th NBTHK Tokubetsu Juyo Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata