Japanese Sword 70.4cm Rai Kunitoshi 来國俊 Kamakura 1200s Certificate

Japanese Sword 70.4cm Rai Kunitoshi 来國俊 Kamakura 1200s Certificate

Blade Length 70.4ccm Sori 2.6cm Motohaba 30mm Motokasane 5mm Sakihaba 16mm Sakikasane 4mm

Weight 650g

Certificate of Authenticity from the Honami Koujyou

Origa by Honami Nisshu

Sayagaki by Honami Nisshu

Rai Kunitoshi  was a master swordsmith who represented the renowned “Rai School” and was active in Yamashiro Province (present-day Kyoto Prefecture) during the late Kamakura period.

Many of his works have been designated as National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties.

For the Honami family, including Honami Kōjō, Rai Kunitoshi’s works were considered objects of “kime” (appraisal) deserving the highest possible evaluation.　

For generations, the Honami family has held swords by Raikuni-toshi in the highest regard, classifying them as “Saisho-saku” (the highest rank).

In particular, during the Edo period, swords of the Raikuni school accompanied by certificates of authenticity (origami) issued by Honami Mitsutsune were considered family treasures of the highest value by daimyo families.

 Honami Kōjō was the 12th head of the Honami family (main branch), a family that made its living as sword appraisers and polishers during the early Edo period.

He is known as one of the most authoritative appraisers of his time, having issued “origami”—certificates of authenticity for swords—which gave rise to the modern Japanese phrase “origami-tsuki” (literally, “with an origami certificate”).　

Honami Nisshū (1908–1996) was a sword appraiser and polisher active from the Shōwa to the Heisei eras, and a holder of the Important Intangible Cultural Property designation for “Sword Polishing” (Living National Treasure).

He carried on the traditions of the prestigious Honami family, which dates back to the Muromachi period, into the modern era, and made significant contributions to the preservation of Japanese swords and the promotion of Japanese culture.