Akikuni of Nagato is represented in the record by a with a folded-over signature () reading Choshu-ju Akikuni, certified on 23 February 1940 while in the possession of Kimura Minokichi of Hyogo. The published sources identify its maker with the Akikuni whom the place in the Choshu Yasuyoshi group in the period, around the Bunna era (1352 to 1356): 「この顕国は銘鑑に長州安吉門、南北朝時代、文和頃と伝えられているものに該当するであろう」. They add a remark attributed to Honma, that among the works of Choshu Akikuni he had examined this is the oldest and of good workmanship.
The name was carried by more than one smith. A later paper records that the list six smiths called Akikuni, from the Bunna-era smith of the Yasuyoshi line to an Oei-era smith said to be the son of Choshu Yasuyoshi. The same paper notes that signed works by Akikuni are comparatively few, with dated examples known from Oei and, later still, from Bun'an.
The , though shortened, keeps a wide body and a large point. The published sources call it an imposing shape: 「折返銘ながら身幅広く大切先の豪壮な姿である」. Its blade measures two four . The stands slightly, with and abundant . The is a in tone mixed with shallow , and runs through it. Paired grooves are cut on both faces and run off into the tang.
A second , designated at the 63rd session in 2017, is and carries a gold-powder attribution to Choshu Akikuni by Koson; the published sources date it to the late period. Its is mixed with and stands in places, with , a faint whitish -like effect and a somewhat dark steel colour. The is based on with a slight feeling, mixed with and . enter frequently, is well attached, and , and appear along and within the edge. A cut mark near the survives from its working life.
The published sources read the two blades together. They find the later the most rustic in manner among the blades attributed to this smith, yet of a piece with the sword bearing the , and so judge the attribution correct. They single out its activity within the , where gathers well, enter freely and covers the whole.
Between them the two papers give Akikuni a consistent manner: a -based temper rich in and , over an that tends to stand. The Bunna-period remains the anchor of the attribution, and the blade is judged against it.