Mumei Attributed to Den Unji Naginata
無名 伝雲次 雞刀
Item TK037
Period: Koto - Nanbokucho Period
Mei (Signature): Mumei
Designation: Designated on Showa 56 (1981)
28th JUYO TOKENNakago - 53.6cm Ubu - One Mekugi-Ana
Nagasa - 43.8cm
Sori: - 1.4cm
Motohaba - 3.6cm
Motokasane - 0.92cm
¥ ４,000,000
Unji (雲次) – Master of the Unrui School (雲類系)
Unji (雲次) was a swordsmith active in Bizen Province during the late Kamakura to early Nanbokuchō period (early 14th century), and is one of the key figures of the Unrui (雲類) or Un-rui (雲類派). He is believed to be the son of Unshō (雲生). Although working within the Bizen tradition, Unji’s blades are notable for their strong Yamashiro influence, often resembling the refined style of the Rai school or even Aoe works, with suguha or ko midare hamon in tight nioi with ko nie, accompanied by ashi and yō. A distinguishing feature of the Unrui school is their characteristic utsuri, often midare or jifu utsuri resembling fingerprint like patterns, which helps differentiate them from Rai and Aoe blades. In some works, Unji also displays more active elements such as sunagashi, hotsure, uchinoke, and hakikake bōshi, occasionally approaching a Yamato like character.
His blades typically feature elegant sugata, suguha-based hamon with subtle variation, and fine jigane, giving them a quiet, sophisticated character. Signed and dated works by Unji are rare, and today he is regarded as an important transitional smith whose work reflects a unique fusion of regional styles during a pivotal period in Japanese sword history.
The below information is a translation of the original Juyo Token Zufu for this blade.
Sugata
Naginata-zukuri, mitsu-mune. No fukura, shallow curvature.
Jigane
Itame mixed with small mokume. Ji-nie well attached, with chikei present
Hamon
The hamon is based on suguha, mixed with small midare, gunome, and ko-chōji tendencies, with ashi and yō, a nioi-based structure with well-developed ko-nie, and fine sunagashi and kinsuji throughout, including nie lines.
Nakago
Ubu (tip slightly adjusted), kirijiri, yasurime Ō-sujikai
Explanation
This is an ubu (unshortened) mumei naginata, attributed to Unji. Unji was a smith active in the Bizen Ukanoshō area from the late Kamakura period into the early Nanbokuchō period.
There is one mekugi-ana, and it is unsigned.
The boshi is yakitsume.
Horimono: On both sides are kakudome-style naginata-hi with accompanying soe-hi.
The jihada shows chikei, and the hamon is a ko-nie based suguha mixed with small midare and ko-gunome. Fine sunagashi and kinsuji are present, demonstrating excellent workmanship and giving the piece a distinctive character among others.
This naginata has a form where the tip does not flare outward, with shallow curvature, presenting a refined construction characteristic of the Kamakura period. The jihada is itame with well-attached ji-nie.
Works bearing date inscriptions from the Shōwa and Kenmu eras are known to exist. Within this school are smiths such as Unji and Unshige, and overall, their style differs from that of the Osafune school.
Touken Takaradō Supplement commentary:
This is an exceptionally wide example, with a mihaba of 3.6 cm and an impressive kasane of 0.92 cm, both remarkable for a 14th century work. This piece is extremely healthy. For a 14th Century piece, the Hamachi looks like it is a Shinsakuto or Shinshinto piece. It has had very few polishes.
The width provides a broad canvas for appreciating the jigane, allowing the viewer to fully enjoy the quality of the forging and the presence of chikei within the steel.
At first glance, the hamon appears to be a suguha-based midare, however under proper lighting, ko-gunome and even ko-choji elements become visible, alongside active hataraki such as kinsuji, sunagashi, ashi, and yo.
With its powerful proportions, well-forged jigane, and active hamon, this is a highly enjoyable Koto blade for close study.
