National Treasures & Important Cultural Properties
of National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, Japan

At the end of the Kamakura period (1185-1333), a swordsmith named Unshô (n.d.) rose to prominence in Unka-no-shô in Bizen Province (the central part of present-day Okayama Prefecture). Differing in style from the well-known Osafune and other schools, the new school was known as the Ukan School. The maker of this sword, Unji, was the son of Unshô.
A number of features of this long sword (J., tachi) blade are characteristic of the Ukan School and reflect the style of Kyoto blades. The blade is narrow, and the curve is deep around the center of the blade. The straight temper line of medium width (J., chû suguha) is broken by small undulations (J., konotare) in some places. The theory that this school made sword blades also in Kyoto is based on these features. Blades bearing a long inscription with Unji's name are extremely rare. This sword, dated in 1335 (Kenmu 2), therefore, is a valuable example that shows when the Ukan School was active.