Archived Nihonto.ca (Yuhindo.com): Hizen Kunihiro

Hizen Kunihiro

Hizen Kunihiro is part of the extended family of Tadayoshi, being the son of Hirosada and one of the well ranked Hizen smiths. He worked around 1644 and Fujishiro has rated him as Chu-jo saku for above average skill. He also carries a rating of Wazamono for the manufacture of swords that were very sharp.

This wakizashi bears a gunome midare hamon with mokume jigane showing the skills of the Hizen school very well. The hamon is bright and exciting; of thick ko-nie showing sunagashi and kinsuji. It’s very pleasant to study, and the overall condition makes it a nice example of Hizento. The NTHK agreed, giving it a healthy 75 points at shinsa in 1998.

The NTHK worksheet also noted it was worthy of a new polish, and the owner followed through and had one done.