Signed: Fujiwara Kuniyuki (藤原国行)
Blade Length: 63.6 cm
Curvature: 1.1 cm
Mounting: Type 98 Shin-Guntō koshirae
This blade is signed Fujiwara Kuniyuki, a representative smith of the Takada school of Bungo Province (present-day Oita), active in the early Edo period (around Kanbun era, circa 1661). He was granted the honorary title Yamato no Kami and is regarded as a highly skilled swordsmith. His works are traditionally praised as “Wazamono” (excellent cutting blades), known for their toughness, resilience, and sharpness.
The blade shows a well-proportioned sugata with a moderate curvature of 1.1 cm, reflecting a practical and functional design. The hamon is a calm suguha with slight natural variation, while the jihada appears to be a tight ko-itame, indicating refined and durable forging typical of the Takada tradition.
It is mounted in a Type 98 Shin-Guntō koshirae, featuring a wooden scabbard finished in traditional Ishime-nuri (stone-texture lacquer), a durable and practical coating widely used on wartime mounts.