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Overview·Designations·Provenance·Blade Forms·Signatures·School
OverviewDesignationsProvenanceBlade FormsSignaturesSchool
  1. Schools
  2. Ko-Bizen
  3. Munetsune

Ko-Bizen Munetsune

宗恒

Tokujū
Vol. 19, No. 18 · Tachi

Ko-Bizen Munetsune

宗恒

4 ranked works

ProvinceBizenEraKenkyu (1190–1199)PeriodKamakuraSchoolKo-BizenTraditionBizen-denTypeSwordsmithCodeMUN600
2Tokubetsu Jūyō2Jūyō Tōken

Overview

Munetsune is a smith of the tradition, active in Province from the close of the period into the early period. "" is a general designation for the swordsmiths — and their works — spanning from the late through the early period, and Munetsune is counted among them. According to sword signature references (), he is recorded as a son of Munehiro and is placed around the Joo era (1222-1224), with his lineage considered to belong to the line of Masatsune. Surviving signed works are exceptionally rare, making each authenticated example precious as documentary material.

Munetsune's exhibit a slender build with high , pronounced , and a or — a graceful silhouette that clearly expresses the characteristic features of the period. The is well-forged mixed with , with fine adhering closely, entering, and — whether , , or patchy — standing out vividly. The is typically -based or , mixed with and , with abundant and ; adheres well, and fine and appear within the hardened edge. The is characteristically straight, turning back in or tending toward .

Munetsune's blades are possessed of an archaic fragrance and deep taste, revealing a refined, dignified artistic realm that embodies the essential character of . The remarkable preservation of several examples in form — retaining their original with tips and file marks — adds significant documentary value. His finest works are commended for being in both and , with bright steel and richly varied that convey style at its most distinguished.

Designations

Kokuhō—
Jūyō Bunkazai—
Jūyō Bijutsuhin—
Gyobutsu—
Tokubetsu Jūyō2
Jūyō Tōken2

Elite Standing

0.01 across 4 designated works

Top 33% among smiths

Provenance

1 documented provenance across certified works by Munetsune

Provenance Standing

0 works held in elite collections across 1 documented provenances

Top 61% among smiths

Raw score: 1.94 / 10

Blade Forms

Distribution across 4 ranked works

Signatures

Signature types across 4 ranked works

Currently Available

Ko-Bizen School

Other artisans of the Ko-Bizen school

  1. 1.Tomonari友成34designated
  2. 2.Masatsune正恒66designated
  3. 3.Kanehira包平32designated
  4. 4.Kageyasu景安1 for sale27designated
  5. 5.Yoshikane吉包46designated
  6. 6.Nobufusa信房13designated
  7. 7.Naritaka成高9designated
  8. 8.Yukihide行秀16designated
  9. 9.Sukekane助包1 for sale28designated
  10. 10.Motochika基近4designated
  11. 11.Junkei順慶7designated
  12. 12.Tsunemitsu恒光8designated

Munetsune

Munetsune(宗恒) was a Japanese swordsmith of the Ko-Bizen school in Bizen province, active during the Kenkyu (1190-1199) period.

The work follows the Bizen-den tradition.

Designated works by Munetsune include 2 Tokubetsu Jūyō, 2 Jūyō.