Rai Norimichi Katana in Shirasaya with Buke-Zukuri Koshirae
Hozon Token – Elegant Suguha in Nie-deki with Refined Hataraki

This katana is the work of Rai Norimichi, an early Edo period smith active around the Kan’ei era (1624–1644) in Yamashiro province. He signed as Jōshū Awataguchi Rai Norimichi and was a direct disciple of the 2nd generation Izumi no Kami Rai Kinmichi. As part of the Yamashiro-based Kinmichi–Norimichi lineage, his work reflects the refined elegance of the Kyoto style.

Forged in dense ko-itame with flowing areas of masame, the blade features a suguha-based hamon in nie-deki, with subtle ashi and refined hataraki that reward close study. The nakago is signed in a bold, thick strokes. Accompanied by a Hozon Token certificate from the NBTHK, the blade is housed in shirasaya with an accompanying buke-zukuri koshirae.

NORIMICHI (法道), 1st gen., Kan´ei (寛永, 1624-1644), Yamashiro – “Jōshū-jū Rai Norimichi saku” (城州住来法道作), “Jōshū Awataguchi Rai Norimichi” (城州粟田口来法道), student of the 2nd gen. Izumi no Kami Rai Kinmichi (和泉守来金道), dense ko-itame mixed with masame, gunome-midare, notare-midare, suguha, he signed with a thick chisel, chū-saku