This listing features a katana by Taima Kuniyuki, a smith from the Taima school active in the late Kamakura period. The Taima school is known for its excellent smiths, though most of their works are unsigned. This blade bears a vermilion signature, a rare example of a signed work by Kuniyuki.
NihontoWatchmei · Taima · Kamakura
Yamato-den · Yamato · around 1243-1247
Fujishiro Jo-jo saku · Tōken Taikan top 5%
2 pieces on the market now
Kuniyuki is regarded as the founder of the Taima group of Yamato Province and was active during the late Kamakura period. Among works of the Taima group, extant signed examples are few; only a small number survive with signatures by Kuniyuki and Aritoshi, while almost all others are works attributed as mumei appraisals. His two-character signature appears in two modes: one rendered in kaisho (formal block script) within the kunigamae enclosure, and another in gyosho (semi-cursive) form. Both varieties are considered extremely rare, and any zaimei tachi by this smith commands particular scholarly attention.
Kuniyuki's forging is a well-worked itame-hada mixed with masame, often showing areas of flowing grain and thick ji-nie with chikei appearing throughout. His hamon is typically suguha-based, gently notare and mixed with choji or small gunome, tending at times toward ko-midare. The habuchi characteristically shows hotsure, while within the tempered area sunagashi runs frequently, interspersed with kinsuji. The nioiguchi is bright and clear. His boshi tends toward sugu, turning hakikake or ending in yakizume — a disposition considered typical of Yamato workmanship. Activities such as chikei and kinsuji intermix freely, giving a lively effect to the steel.
Kuniyuki occupies a position of particular importance as the progenitor of the Taima lineage within the broader Yamato tradition. His work demonstrates the defining characteristics of Yamato-den forging — the prominent masame tendency, the bright and clear ji and ha described as akaruku saeru, and the restrained yet animated temper line — while displaying a refinement and individuality that distinguishes his hand from later Taima smiths. The rarity of signed examples only heightens the significance of each surviving blade, and his best works are noted for their kenzen condition and sound preservation.
Where Kuniyuki stands among comparable artisans: across all of nihontō, and within tradition, era, and period. The tiers (Foremost · Leading · Major · Notable) weigh official designations from the NBTHK and Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs, together with historical honors of lasting repute such as the Sansaku and Meibutsu-chō.
Select a lens to see how it's measured.
Yamato-den · Yamato
11 pieces on the market now
At Taima-dera in Yamato Province, the temple from which the school takes its name, a body of swordsmiths gathered in the late Kamakura period under Kuniyuki, who is transmitted as the founder of the line. The Taima group is counted among the five schools of the Yamato-den, the others being Tegai, Senjuin, Shikkake, and Hosho, and like its siblings it grew out of a monastic milieu in which the smiths worked in dependence upon the temple. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Aritoshi有俊 | 1264-1275 | 41 |
| Nobunaga信長 | 1394-1428 | 6 |
| Tomokiyo友清 | 1319-1321 | 5 |
| Tomoyuki友行 | 1278-1288 | 5 |
| Toshinaga俊長 | 1352-1356 | 5 |
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 listing features a katana by Taima Kuniyuki, a smith from the Taima school active in the late Kamakura period. The Taima school is known for its excellent smiths, though most of their works are unsigned. This blade bears a vermilion signature, a rare example of a signed work by Kuniyuki.
NihontoWatchmei · Taima · Kamakura
Yamato-den · Yamato · around 1243-1247
Fujishiro Jo-jo saku · Tōken Taikan top 5%
2 pieces on the market now
Kuniyuki is regarded as the founder of the Taima group of Yamato Province and was active during the late Kamakura period. Among works of the Taima group, extant signed examples are few; only a small number survive with signatures by Kuniyuki and Aritoshi, while almost all others are works attributed as mumei appraisals. His two-character signature appears in two modes: one rendered in kaisho (formal block script) within the kunigamae enclosure, and another in gyosho (semi-cursive) form. Both varieties are considered extremely rare, and any zaimei tachi by this smith commands particular scholarly attention.
Kuniyuki's forging is a well-worked itame-hada mixed with masame, often showing areas of flowing grain and thick ji-nie with chikei appearing throughout. His hamon is typically suguha-based, gently notare and mixed with choji or small gunome, tending at times toward ko-midare. The habuchi characteristically shows hotsure, while within the tempered area sunagashi runs frequently, interspersed with kinsuji. The nioiguchi is bright and clear. His boshi tends toward sugu, turning hakikake or ending in yakizume — a disposition considered typical of Yamato workmanship. Activities such as chikei and kinsuji intermix freely, giving a lively effect to the steel.
Kuniyuki occupies a position of particular importance as the progenitor of the Taima lineage within the broader Yamato tradition. His work demonstrates the defining characteristics of Yamato-den forging — the prominent masame tendency, the bright and clear ji and ha described as akaruku saeru, and the restrained yet animated temper line — while displaying a refinement and individuality that distinguishes his hand from later Taima smiths. The rarity of signed examples only heightens the significance of each surviving blade, and his best works are noted for their kenzen condition and sound preservation.
Where Kuniyuki stands among comparable artisans: across all of nihontō, and within tradition, era, and period. The tiers (Foremost · Leading · Major · Notable) weigh official designations from the NBTHK and Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs, together with historical honors of lasting repute such as the Sansaku and Meibutsu-chō.
Select a lens to see how it's measured.
Yamato-den · Yamato
11 pieces on the market now
At Taima-dera in Yamato Province, the temple from which the school takes its name, a body of swordsmiths gathered in the late Kamakura period under Kuniyuki, who is transmitted as the founder of the line. The Taima group is counted among the five schools of the Yamato-den, the others being Tegai, Senjuin, Shikkake, and Hosho, and like its siblings it grew out of a monastic milieu in which the smiths worked in dependence upon the temple. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Aritoshi有俊 | 1264-1275 | 41 |
| Nobunaga信長 | 1394-1428 | 6 |
| Tomokiyo友清 | 1319-1321 | 5 |
| Tomoyuki友行 | 1278-1288 | 5 |
| Toshinaga俊長 | 1352-1356 | 5 |
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.
