A Tachi by a Founder of Kamakura Swordsmithing
The Tachi (inscribed Kunimune) (太刀〈銘国宗〉) is a long sword made in the Kamakura period (13th century) by the swordsmith Kunimune, held by the Fukuyama Museum of Art in Nishimachi, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture, and designated a National Treasure on November 14, 1953. The blade is 72.7 centimetres long, with a tang of 20.0 centimetres, according to the museum.
The museum explains that Kunimune is said to have moved to Kamakura with Awataguchi Kunitsuna of Kyoto and Sukezane of Bizen and to have laid the foundations of Kamakura swordsmithing. The sword was first designated under earlier law in 1938.
The Komatsu Yasuhiro Collection, 14 Japanese swords, 7 of them National Treasures and 6 designated as an Important Cultural Property, was assembled by the late Komatsu Yasuhiro, founder of the Fukuyama-based company FP Corporation, and donated to Fukuyama City by Komatsu Keiko in November 2018, according to the museum.
Why It Is a National Treasure
According to the museum, the blade has been shortened by about two sun, yet remains an imposing tachi with a wide body and a slightly extended medium point. The steel shows a wood-grain pattern with some visible texture and a clouded reflection (midare-utsuri). The temper line combines large and small clove-shaped choji, with plump, round-headed large choji standing out, all typical of the first-generation Kunimune.
The museum ranks it as Kunimune's representative work, one with an especially showy hamon even among the National Treasure tachi attributed to the first generation.
What to Look For
Focus on the large choji in the temper line. The rows of plump, round-headed cloves are a key to recognising the first Kunimune's work.
The link with Shintogo Kunimitsu is intriguing. The Kanchiin-bon Meizukushi genealogy makes Kunimune Kunimitsu's teacher, but the museum notes that almost all surviving Kunimune blades have choji-based irregular hamon, showing no direct influence on Kunimitsu. A black-lacquered uchigatana mounting accompanies the sword.
Seeing the Sword
The Fukuyama Museum of Art shows the swords of the Komatsu Yasuhiro Collection in rotation through its collection displays and special exhibitions; they are not on permanent view, so check the museum's Komatsu Yasuhiro Collection display schedule before going.
The museum opens from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and closes on Mondays (or the following day when Monday is a holiday) and over the New Year. Collection displays cost ¥310 for adults and are free for high school students and younger. Photography is not allowed in the galleries. The museum is about 400 metres west of the north exit of JR Fukuyama Station, at 2-4-3 Nishimachi, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture (084-932-2345).
Q&A
- When was the Tachi inscribed Kunimune made?
- In the Kamakura period, in the 13th century.
- When was it designated a National Treasure?
- On November 14, 1953.
- Who was Kunimune?
- A swordsmith said to have moved to Kamakura with Awataguchi Kunitsuna and Sukezane and to have laid the foundations of Kamakura swordsmithing.
- What should I look for on the Kunimune tachi?
- Its showy temper line of plump, round-headed large choji mixed with small choji; the museum calls it Kunimune's representative work.
- When can I see the Kunimune tachi?
- It is shown in rotation at the Fukuyama Museum of Art; check the museum's display schedule.
Basic Information
| Name | Tachi (inscribed Kunimune) (太刀〈銘国宗〉) |
|---|---|
| Location | 2-4-3 Nishimachi, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture (Fukuyama Museum of Art) |
| Designation | National Treasure (Fine Arts and Crafts: Crafts) |
| Year Designated | National Treasure 1953/11/14 (Showa 28); earlier designation 1938/7/4 (Showa 13) |
| Quantity | 1 sword |
| Dimensions | Blade length 72.7 centimetres, tang length 20.0 centimetres |
| Owner | Fukuyama City |
| Public Access | Shown in rotation in the museum's collection displays and special exhibitions (not permanent) |
References
- About the Komatsu Yasuhiro Collection (Fukuyama Museum of Art)
- https://www.city.fukuyama.hiroshima.jp/site/fukuyama-museum/194068.html
- Komatsu Yasuhiro Collection display schedule (Fukuyama Museum of Art)
- https://www.city.fukuyama.hiroshima.jp/site/fukuyama-museum/201121.html
- Visitor information (Fukuyama Museum of Art)
- https://www.city.fukuyama.hiroshima.jp/site/fukuyama-museum/2912.html
Last verified: 2026.10.04