KUNISUKE KAWACHI NO KAMI SHODAI [KAN'EI 1624 SETTSU] SHINTÔ JÔSAKU
His kuni of birth is Ise, his family name is Kobayashi, and he was a vassal of the Lord of the Kameyama castle, Seki Nagato no Kami, and after the downfall of the house of his lord he resolved to become a swordsmith. Even though it is said he went to Kyoto and entered the Mon of Horikawa Kunihiro, from the standpoint of the era and from examining his style, the correct one is Echigo no Kami Kunitomo Mon. His works have a ji of ko-mokume, hamon is nie-tsuki gonome ashi iri, and resembles shodai Kunisada. He died on Shôhô Yonen (1647) Gogatsu Sanjûnichi (5/30). (Wazamono)
Signatures: KAWACHI NO KAMI FUJIWARA KUNISUKE
KAWACHI NO KAMI KUNISUKE
Plate I: KAWACHI NO KAMI FUJIWARA KUNISUKE
There are katana with "SEISHÛ KANBE JÛ KUNISUKE", and this is the mei of this Kunisuke during his early period. [TN: KANBE is also read as Gôdo (Gifu), Kôbe (Hyôgo), and Kando (Shimane). Also, KAWACHI is variously read as Kawauchi, Kôchi, and Kawachi, depending on its location, which varies all over the map and cannot be classified by specific areas.]
This beautiful Yari was made by the highly ranked 1st generation Kunisuke. The work on this blade is very evident with the pronounce activity within the hamon. The hada is well made and the yari has no flaws. A small cut can be seen on the edge of the blade. It would appear that this yari was used at some point for battle. The nakago has the complete signature from Kunisuke and over all this yari is in superb condition.
