© Copyright Robert Cole 2015 - No copying or distributing          Sagami   -   SOSHU School Roots YAMASHIRO method continues in Kamakura town                Sword-Making at Yamanouchi Roots: _______________________ AWATAGUCHI KUNIIYE BUN-JI 1185 ________________|___ AWATAGUCHI KUNITSUNA KEN-CHO 1249 |________________________________ ________________| ___     ______________|___ YAMANOUCHI KUNIMITSU HO-JI 1247    YAMANOUCHI SANEKUNI SHO-GEN 1259 _________________________________ SHINTOGO KUNIMITSU (2nd YAMASHIRO) SHO-AN 1199 ___________|__________ ____________________ ____|___ _____|___   ____|____ -brothers- ____|____         KUNIHIRO KUNIMITSU   DAISHINBO            YUKIMITSU KA-GEN 1303  ____|___ _____|___   ________ |  SUKEKUNI KUNIMITSU SADAKUNI SHO-WA 1312 | KEM-MU 1334 | ___________ __________ ________________|__________ ___________ ___________ ____|____ _____|____  ____|____   _________|___   ____|_____ ____|____ _____|____ YOSHIMOTO TSUNEMITSU YUKISHIGE GORO MASAMUNE   SHIGEMITSU MITSUFUSA MITSUYOSHI SHO-O 1288 to KA-REKI 1326 - SHO-CHU 1324 -

Sword Making at YAMANOUCHI KUNITSUNA KEN-CHO: GOTOBA-TENNO lived out his exile between 1221 �and 1239 on OKI Island where the OKI GOBAN was conducted. �KUNITSUNA was called to KAMAKURA by HOJO TOKIYORI, who had been� installed SHIKKEN in 1246. The SOSHU working date of KEN-CHO 1249 is therefore supported. See YAMASHIRO AWATAGUCHI KUNITSUNA - 6th son SANEKUNI SHO-GEN (t: KUNITSUNA): YAMANOUCHI JU. To KA-GEN 1303. ITAME HADA. SUGUHA and KO-MIDARE BA. YAMANOUCHI JU SANEKUNI KUNIMITSU HO-JI (f: KUNITSUNA): YAMANOUCHI JU. This listing has created confusion with SHINTOGO KUNIMITSU, as all �SOSHU KUNIMITSU smiths are part of the SHINTOGO Group. MOKUME HADA. HOSO-SUGUHA nd MIDARE BA, AWATAGUCHI style SHINTOGO KUNIMITSU EI-NIN (f: AWATAGUCHI KUNIMITSU): The 2nd �KUNIMITSU, he has been thought son of HO-JI KUNIMITSU, but is �actually under AWATAGUCHI KUNIMITSU(1), son of NORIKUNI. SHINTOGO EI-NIN 1293 (f: AWATAGACHI KUNIMITSU): SHINTOGO. SHINTOTARO. Overall style is comparable with his father. His work years are given as the first year of EI-NIN 1293 to GEN-KYO 4, some 37 years span. Prolific career, many TANTO noted for wide MUNE. Pace setter for Tanto Sugata. His could be called Shintogo Sugata as they invariably conform to his very particularly refined shape in MU-SORI or UCHIZORI TANTO SUGATA. KO-ITAME KO-MOKUME has O-HADA with JI-NIE and CHIKEI. His JI-NIE and surface steel, generally, reminds of AWATAGUCHI NIE JI-BA. HAMON is CHU-SUGU or HOSO-SUGU holding a careful MIDARE BA. Famous for OKINA HIGE "Old Man's Beard" - NIE drifts that fall into the JI at BOSHI. ARA-NIE in BOSHI and KAERI while YAKI-HABA narrows and "withers" as it meets the HA.BOSHI are a complex YAKI-KOMI crowding. KO-MARU KAERI. Signature Note: His taking HASEBE in his MEI has been conjectured to derive from KAJI forges near HASEDERA in YAMATO. See Tokubetsu Juyo Shintogo Tachi and Tanto KUNIMITSU SHINTOGO KUNIMITSU KUNIMITSU KAMAKURA JUNIN SHINTOGO HASEBE KUNIMITSU KAMAKURA JUNIN SHINTOGO KUNIMITSU SAKU SAGAMI-no-KUNI KAMAKURA JU HASEBE KUNIMITSU KAMAKURA JU SHINTOGO KUNIMITSU HOSHI KOSHIN SAGAMI-no-KUNI KAMAKURA JUNIN SHINTOGO KUNIMITSU HOSHI HOMYO KOSHIN Remember: Left Side Loop

Shintogo Kunimtsu Shintogo Kunimtsu Hira-tsukuri, Mitsu-mune, somewhat wide-bodied and with the very slightest of curve. The wide blade would say it is late, but it retains the general style of the Awataguchi. Itame Hada has strong JiNie and Chikei. Hoso-Suguha in Ko-Nie. Monouchi shows strong Nie, separating in a refined Niju style. Boshi is Ko-Maru, help deep, medium Kaeri. Furisode Nakago has one Mekugi-ana. Signed in the middle.                    Kunimitsu

Shintogo - 23cm

Shintogo Kunimitsu Tachi - Kokuho Nagasa: 74.2cm Moto-Haba: 2.6cm Shinogi-Tsukuri, Ihori-Mune, Koshizori, narrow Mihaba, Funbari Ko-Kissaki Tachi. Standing Ko-Itame Hada has profuse Ji-Nie and Strong Chikei. Ko-Nie Deki Hoso-Suguha with Kinsuji and Nijuba. Hoso-Sugu KoMaru Boshi. Ubu Nakago has two Mekugi-ana.  Signed in the upper Ji.    Kunimitsu

Juyo Shintogo Tachi Juyo Shintogo Tachi - Meibutsu Shintogo Nagasa: 2 Shaku 5 Sun 1 Bu (76.1cm) Sori: 8 Bu 5 Rin (2.58cm) Motohaba: 9 Bu 6 Rin (2.9cm) Saki-haba: 6 Bu (1.8cm) Kissaki-Nagasa: 9 Bu (2.6cm) Nakago: 6 Sun 4 Bu (19.5cm) Shinogi-tsukuri, Ihori-mune, Chu-Kissaki, Koshizori Tachi Sugata. Ko-Itame Hada with Jinie. There is Chikei. Hamon is a gently undulating Hoso-Suguha in Ko-nie and tight Nioi-guchi. Ko-Ashi and Kinsuji play hide and seek. Sugu Komaru Boshi. Many Horimono - Tengai Priest's Hood, Bonji, Rendai Lotsu Pedestal, Kuwa-kata, Sanko Ken, and Bonji. Slight Nakago-zori to slightly rounded KiriJiri. Tachi-Ubu, single mid-placement Mekugi-ana. Signed:          Kunimitsu

Den Kunimitsu - Kokuho Den Kunimitsu - Kokuho Nagasa: 73.2cm Moto-Haba: 2.6cm Shinogi-Tsukuri, Maru-Mune, Ko-Kissaki Tachi. Su-Ken Horimono. Ko-Itame Hada has thin Ji-Nie and Chikei. Tight Nioi-Guchi and Ko-Nie Hoso-Suguha with Ashi-iri and Kinsuji. Hoso-Sugu Ko-Maru Boshi. Suriage Nakago has three Mekugi-ana.  Signed across the Shinogi.    Kunimitsu

Meibutsu Aizu Shintogo - Kokuho Meibutsu Aizu Shintogo Sword of Gamo Ujisato, Lord of Aizu Fought in support of Hideyoshi, and may have died of it. Supposedly a poisoning. Nagasa: 8 Sun 4 Bu (25.45cm) Uchizori Motohaba: 7 Bu 8 Rin (2.36cm) Nakago: 3 Sun 6 Bu (10.91cm) Hira-tsukuri, Mitsu-mune. Itame, Mokume mixed with strong JiNie and Chikei. Chu-Suguha in Ko-Nie. Ko-maru is found deep, with slight Hakikake and long fall Kaeri. Ubu, one Mekugi-ana and signed in the middle.            Kunimitsu Gamo Ujisato

Shintogo Kunimitsu - Kokuho Shintogo Kunimitsu - Kokuho Nagasa: 26.6cm Moto-Haba: 2.2cm Hira-tsukuri, Mitsu-mune, Uchizori Tanto. Ko-Itame Hada has Ji-Nie and Chikei. Hoso-Suguha with Mura-Nie. Kinsuji is seen in the mid. Sugu Nijuba Boshi is Ko-Maru Kaeri. Ubu Kurijiri, one Mekugi-ana. Signed in the center.    Kunimitsu

Juyo Bunkazai Kunimitsu Tanto Juyo Bunkazai Kunimitsu Tanto Nagasa: 9 Sun 1 Bu 6 Rin (27.75cm) Uchizori Motohaba: 8 Bu (2.4cm) Moto-kasane: 2 Bu (0.6cm) Nakago: 3 Sun 6 Bu 5 Rin (11.1cm) Nakagozori: Slight Hira-tsukuri, Mitsu-mune, Uchizori Tanto Sugata. At 9 Sun 1 Bu, it is similarly long with the famous Kokuho National Treasure which is 8 Sun 4 Bu. There is a Shintogo Tanto that is Kyushin possession of the Murauji family of 9 Sun 3 Bu. Ko-Itame Hada has Chikei and thick, shinning Jinie over the surface. We can see his very special style of Jitetsu treatment was passed on to Masamune. Hamon is Suguha in deep Nioi-fukashi and abundant Ko-Nie. Kinsuji develops in the mid. A Koshiba stands guard at the Machi. Sugu Komaru Boshi has an inner Yubashiri from which strong Kinsuji falls in the Whiskers form. His special trait is a crowding of complexity and subtleties at the Boshi. A gentle curve to the Nakago; there are three Mekugi-ana. The upper is notched from multiple mounts. Signed:           Kunimitsu This piece is dated to Einin Gennen 1293

Shintogo Kunimitsu - Juyo Bunkazai Shintogo Kunimitsu Nagasa: 7 Sun 7 Bu (23.48cm) Slight, essentially Musori Motohaba: 6 Bu 8 Rin (2.06cm) Moto-kasane: 1 Bu 8 Rin (0.55cm) Nakago: 3 Sun 3 Bu (10cm Hira-tsukuri, Mitsu-mune. Suken Omote with medium Koshibi on Ura. Ko-Itame Hada has Ji-Nie and Chikei. Chu-Suguha in Ko-Nie with defined Sunagashi and Kinsuji. Ko-Maru has slight Hakikake and a short turn near the Mune. Ubu nakago is swept back with one Mekugi-ana from multiple mounts. Signed:  Kamakura Junin Shintogo Kunimitsu Saku           Einin Gennen Ju Gatsu-San Hi - 1302

             SHINTOGO KUNIMITSU
                     |
                YUKIMITSU KA-GEN 1303
     ________________|___________ ____________ __________ ___________ ___________
____|____   _________|___    ____|_____   ____|____  ____|_____  ____|____  _____|____
YUKISHIGE   GORO MASAMUNE    SHIGEMITSU   YOSHIMOTO  TSUNAMITSU  MITSUFUSA  MITSUYOSHI
            SHO-O 1288 to KA-REKI 1326                             - SHO-CHU 1324 -

SHIGEMITSU KO-AN 1278 to SHO-CHU 1324 (t: YUKIMITSU): 
      SOSHU KAMAKURA JU SHIGEMITSU 
      SAGAMI-NO-KUNI JUNIN SHIGEMITSU

YOSHIMOTO SHO-KEI 1332 YUKIMITSU DEN. YAMANOUCHI JU. Also signed SUKEMORI and YOSHIMITSU. 
           Date is prior to destruction of KAMAKURA.

YUKISHIGE KO-AN: YUKIMITSU DEN. Early date. Also signed SUKEHARU. Said to have joined MASAMUNE.
      SAGAMI KAMAKURA
      SOSHU JU SUKEHARU

MITSUYOSHI KEM-MU 1334: YAJIRO. KAMAKURA JU. 

MITSUFUSA SHO-CHU 1324 (t: YUKIMITSU): YAMANOUCHI Smith. ITAME HADA with JINIE.
         SUGUHA, SOSHU O-MIDARE BA on rolling NOTARE HAMON line. 
     SOSHU JU MITSUFUSA

Yukimitsu Tanto - Kokuho Yukimitsu Tanto - Kokuho Nagasa: 26.2cm Moto-Haba: 2.3cm Hira-tsukuri, Mitsu-Mune, Uchizori Tanto. Ko-Itame Hada has Ji-Nie. Chu-Suguha with Ashi of clear Nioi and Ko-Nie flows to Kuzure Yakidashi. Togari at the head falls in long Kaeri. Ubu, Furisode Kimono Sleeves Nakago has one Mekugi-ana.    Yukimitsu

Juyo Bijutsu Hin Yukimitsu Juyo Bijutsu Hin - Meibutsu Goto Yukimitsu Nagasa: 8 Sun 4 Bu(25.4cm) Uchizori Motohaba: 6 Bu 6 Rin (2.0cm) Moto-kasane: 1 Bu 8 Rin (0.55cm) Nakago: 3 Sun 1 Bu (9.6cm) Hira-tsukuri, Uchizori, Mitsu-mune of Kamakura Jidai Sugata. Itame Hada with O-Hada mix shows Chikei. Yukimitsu Nie is particularly beautiful and splendid. Hamon is a reserved Notare Fukashi in deeply thick Ko-Nie. Kinsuji cuts through figures while Inazuma strikes into the Ji. Notare-Komi Boshi to a sharp Ko-maru and direct fall of the Kaeri. Ubu, two Mekugi-ana, one filled. Mu-mei

Juyo Yukimitsu Juyo Yukimitsu Nagasa: 30.6cm Sori: Uchizori Motohaba: 2.6cm Nakago: 8.5cm Nakagozori: Slight Hira-tsukuri, Mitsu-mune with thin Kasane. Mihaba is wide. Small elongation in the Kissaki and Uchizori Sugata. Itame with strongly standing O-Hada and Chikei. Jinie and Jifu dapples the surface of the gently undulating Gunome-Midare Ba Soshu Hamon where Ashi and Yo finds deeply running Sunagashi and Kinsuji. There is much Nie and Yubashiri seen. Mune-yaki dapples along the back. Notare-Komi Boshi resolves in small Ko-maru and a long fall. Katte Sagari Yasuri with slight Furisode curve.    Mumei

SAGAMI - SOSHU School

DAISHINBO EI-NIN (t: SHINTOGO, br: YUKIMITSU): SAGAMI JU.Studied along 
         side YUKIMITSU. NIKKO-YAMA HOSHI Priest. Also signed KUNIYASU.
         Fine HORIMONO carver.

      KUNIYASU
      DAISHINBO
      DAISHIN HOSHI SUKEYOSHI

KUNIHIRO GEN-KYO 1321 (f: SHINTOGO): GOJIRO. Lived in KAMAKURA. Always similar 
         work, he is forever associated with SHINTOGO KUNIMITSU. Some references 
         claim he is SHINTOGOs' third son with the following lineage:

                                      SHINTOGO KUNIMITSU     "Three Sons"
                                                  |_______________ _____________
                                              ____|____       ____|___     _____|_____________
                                              KUNISHIGE       KUNIHIRO     KUNIYASU (DAISHINBO)

         His sword style resembles that of KUNIMITSU. However, KUNIHIRO is ranked just below 
         SHINTOGO as his influences were acquired during KUNIMITSU's declining years. Work from 
         BUN-PO 1317 to GEN-TOKU 1329. TANTO and short swords are seen. KAMAKURA style TANTO can 
         be 8 SUN, MUZORI or UCHIZORI. Light JI-NIE over the JI-TETSU. KO-NIE on deep NIOI-FUKASHI 
         SUGUHA and gently moving KO-MIDARE BA. 

      KUNIHIRO
      HASEBE KUNIHIRO
      KUNIHIRO KAMAKURA JUNIN
      SAGAMI-no-KUNI KAMAKURA JUNIN HASEBE KUNIHIRO

SUKEKUNI KEM-MU (f: KUNIHIRO): KO-ITAME HADA. SUGUHA and KO-MIDARE BA.

      SOSHU YAMANOUCHI JU SUKEKUNI
      KAMAKURA YAMANOUCHI JU SUKEKUNI

Bunkazai Kunihiro Tanto Bunkazai Kunihiro Tanto Nagasa: 8 Sun (24.2cm) Uchizori Motohaba: 7 Bu 6 Rin (2.3cm) Moto-kasane: 2 Bu (0.6cm) Nakago: 3 Sun 4 Bu (10.4cm) Ko-Itame Hada with Jinie. Suguha in fine Ko-Nie where Kinsuji plays. His date places scholarship. Three Mekugi-ana, multiple mounts. Slightly stretched second character, his Mei is clear:             -Bonji-  Kunihiro - Kamakura junin             Genkyo Yonen Ju-Gatsu Mikka ~ Third Day

RAI: Refined and distinctive SUGUHA
They also incorporate the popular OSAFUNE GUNOME, taken up by the
AWATAGUCHI but popularized of the RYAKU-NIN powerhouse three: 

     HATAKEDA MORIIYE - OSAFUNE MITSUTADA - SABURO KUNIMUNE 

OSAFUNE: MITSUTADA's brilliant undulating GUNOME-CHOJI BA
is irresistibly infectious. Generations of workers proudly take 
their turns holding the same seats at the same table.

FUKUOKA: JUKA and OBUSA KAWAZU CHOJI-MIDARE BA
FUKUOKA pulls out all stops to grab and hold the prize

SOSHU: Stealing BIZEN's undulating GUNOME, they forge fantastic 
steel into fantastic structures. 
KAMAKURA's breakup sends SOSHU undulating GUNOME patterns out the 
HOKURIKU through the North and radiating with students, from SA's
CHIKUZEN, in all directions through the South. NAOTSUNA to the West.
                         ______________________