Kunitoshi is a smith of the school of Yamashiro Province, active during the late period. He is traditionally held to have been a son of Kuniyuki. Scholarly opinion has not yet reached a definitive conclusion as to whether the so-called "two-character Kunitoshi" (niji-) and those who signed with the three-character inscription " Kunitoshi" are the individual. If one aligns the dated works of both groups, their production spans from Koan 1 (1278) to Genkyo 1 (1321), an interval of roughly forty years that would not be unreasonable for a single smith's career. Nevertheless, differences in style can be observed: the two-character Kunitoshi favors a bold with brilliant , while Kunitoshi more often shows a standard or slender with a calm -based temper. Comparatively numerous by the three-character Kunitoshi are known.
Kunitoshi's forging is a compact , sometimes with a tendency toward and an inclination to toward the middle of the blade. Abundant adheres with fine , and the steel color is characteristically clear. His is typically with thick and a deep, tightly defined . Works in with are well represented among his . In rare instances a -ba with tendency appears, producing a discernible - flavor with especially strong -- such uncommon examples are noted as being of particularly fine workmanship.
Kunitoshi's manner is that of Kyoto workmanship in its most orthodox expression, and the temper is recognized as a particular forte of the school. Several surviving bear date inscriptions of Bunpo 2 (1318), which are of great value as reference material. In both and , his finest works present an outstanding standard of school craftsmanship, with tightly forged steel, a bright and crisply defined , and exceptionally good preservation.