Jūyō-Tōken at the 47th Jūyō Shinsa held on October 11, 2001
Katana, mumei: Den Niji Kunitoshi (伝⼆字国俊)
Measurements
Nagasa 68.75 cm, sori 1.55 cm, motohaba 2.8 cm, sakihaba 2.1 cm, kissaki-nagasa 3.5 cm, nakago-
nagasa 20.6 cm, only very little nakago-sori
Description
Keijō: shinogi-zukuri, iori-mune, mihaba and kasane of normal proportions and dimensions, slightly
noticeable taper, relatively shalow sori, somewhat elongated chū-kissaki
Kitae: finely standing-out itame that is mixed with mokume and that features ji-nie and a faint nie-
utsuri
Hamon: nie-laden chōji-chō with a wide, bright, and clear nioiguchi that is mixed with some
gunome and togari, ashi, yō, kinsuji, sunagashi, and a few muneyaki, the ha tends to suguha-chō in
places and does not feature prominent ups and downs

Explanation
It is said that Kunitoshi (国俊) was the son of Rai Kuniyuki (来国⾏). To differentiate them
from works signed with the three characters “Rai Kunitoshi,” works that do not contain the prefix
Rai and that are only signed with the two characters (Japanese: niji) “Kunitoshi” are referred to
as Niji Kunitoshi. Dated blades from both categories do not rule out that we are facing here the
body of work of a single smith, but as noticeable differences in workmanship exist, the terms Niji
Kunitoshi and Rai Kunitoshi can be used as stylistic differentiators.
This blade is ō-suriage mumei It shows an itame with nie-utsuri and a relatively flamboyant, nie-
laden, and chōji-based midareba, that also features muneyaki. Thus, the blade displays a
workmanship, which attributes it to Niji Kunitoshi and we are in agreement with its period
attribution to this smith. Also, the work is of an excellent deki.