Introduction of the sword from Wakedō

Product number: K381120

Sign: Mumei Awataguti

Certif: [N.B.T.H.K] Jyuyo Touken

Scabbard inscription: Written by Mr. Homma Tōzan

Size: Blade length 69.5 cm, Curvature 1.4 cm, Mekugi 2 Hole

Country: Yamashiro Province

Period: Early Kamakura

Shape: Shinogi-zukuri, anvil ridge, slender, with width at the base and tip, a bit sturdy, with waist curvature, and a small tip

Forging: Itame-hada with some mokume, showing a flowing texture in places, with a slightly thick ji-nuri and ji-utsuri

Hamon: Fine straight blade style, small ko-mizukuri, mixed with small irregularities, with ashi and ha, a slightly deep nioi, small tempering, and generally fine hotsure, showing a mix of uchikake and chigai-ba style, with kin-tsuke and suna-nagashi, bright nioi

Tip: The omote is straight, the ura has a slight curve, and both return to a small rounded tip.

Carving: A groove is carved on the omote

Center: Made of shin-bu, shallow kurijiri, with a downward file pattern

White scabbard: Yes, written by Mr. Kunzan Honma

Explanation
In Yamashiro Province, the existence of old Kyoto swords from the late Heian period to the early Kamakura period, such as the Sanjō and Gojō schools, is known, but afterward, from the early to mid-Kamakura period, the Awataguchi school rose to prominence. During the mid-Kamakura to the Nanboku-chō period, the Rai school flourished. The Awataguchi school is famously represented by the six brothers Kuniyuki, Kuniyasu, Kuniyoshi, Arikuni, Kunitsuna, and Kunisada, who were known for their exceptional skills. They continued to produce renowned craftsmen such as Norikuni, Kuniyoshi, Kunimitsu, and Yoshimitsu, and their style has long been praised as "with a blue iron color and white blade."
This sword is slender with waist curvature, presenting an ancient form with a small tip. The forging shows an itame-hada with mixed mokume, a slightly thick ji-nuri, with ji-utsuri vividly standing out, and the hamon features a straight blade style mixed with small ko-mizukuri and small irregularities, showing the characteristics of the Awataguchi school. The well-tempered, high-quality steel, combined with the brightness of the ji, results in a graceful appearance, and the groove carved into the waist shows an antique quality. Furthermore, the original state of this sword from its time is very rare, with the tempering still remaining, making it highly valuable and a sight to behold.