This is a tachi by Ryokai, a smith from Yamashiro province active during the late Kamakura period (around Einin era). It is an o-suriage mumei blade, meaning it has been significantly shortened and is unsigned, but attributed to Ryokai. Ryokai was a student of Rai Kunimitsu and known for his distinctive jigane with rich ji-nie and masame-hada mixed in, giving it a bright, shining appearance. This blade is designated as an O-Wazamono, indicating its exceptional cutting ability.
NihontoWatch
Yamashiro-den · Yamashiro
14 pieces on the market now
The Ryokai school (了戒) took shape in the late-Kamakura capital of Kyoto, in Yamashiro Province, around the smith Ryokai, who worked through the era names Shoo, Einin, Kagen, Enkyo and Ocho at the turn of the fourteenth century. The old account makes him a son or a pupil of Rai Kunitoshi, and one version has him adopted into Kunitoshi's house; because his dated blades place him almost level with Kunitoshi, however, the NBTHK reads him more naturally as a contemporary (an aitedeshi, a fellow disciple) who formed his own line within the wider Rai circle. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Ryokai了戒 | 1288-1305 | 97 |
| Hisanobu久信 | 1304-1308 | 5 |
| Nobumasa信正 | 1345-1350 | 0 |
| Nobumasa信正 | 1390-1394 | 0 |
| Nobuyoshi宣能 | 1444-1449 | 0 |
We could not find an authenticity certificate on the seller’s listing. Japanese swords and fittings are normally papered by the NBTHK (or the NTHK). Without one, the attribution is the seller’s own assessment and has not been independently verified — treat it with caution and ask the dealer about certification before buying.
If, due to our fault, the item differs significantly from its proper condition, the item may be returned. Cooling-off is within one week of the item's arrival.
This is a tachi by Ryokai, a smith from Yamashiro province active during the late Kamakura period (around Einin era). It is an o-suriage mumei blade, meaning it has been significantly shortened and is unsigned, but attributed to Ryokai. Ryokai was a student of Rai Kunimitsu and known for his distinctive jigane with rich ji-nie and masame-hada mixed in, giving it a bright, shining appearance. This blade is designated as an O-Wazamono, indicating its exceptional cutting ability.
NihontoWatchYamashiro-den · Yamashiro
14 pieces on the market now
The Ryokai school (了戒) took shape in the late-Kamakura capital of Kyoto, in Yamashiro Province, around the smith Ryokai, who worked through the era names Shoo, Einin, Kagen, Enkyo and Ocho at the turn of the fourteenth century. The old account makes him a son or a pupil of Rai Kunitoshi, and one version has him adopted into Kunitoshi's house; because his dated blades place him almost level with Kunitoshi, however, the NBTHK reads him more naturally as a contemporary (an aitedeshi, a fellow disciple) who formed his own line within the wider Rai circle. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Ryokai了戒 | 1288-1305 | 97 |
| Hisanobu久信 | 1304-1308 | 5 |
| Nobumasa信正 | 1345-1350 | 0 |
| Nobumasa信正 | 1390-1394 | 0 |
| Nobuyoshi宣能 | 1444-1449 | 0 |
We could not find an authenticity certificate on the seller’s listing. Japanese swords and fittings are normally papered by the NBTHK (or the NTHK). Without one, the attribution is the seller’s own assessment and has not been independently verified — treat it with caution and ask the dealer about certification before buying.
If, due to our fault, the item differs significantly from its proper condition, the item may be returned. Cooling-off is within one week of the item's arrival.
