粟田口則国

Awataguchi Norikuni

Description

## Skilled Master of the Awataguchi Six Brothers — Awataguchi Norikuni Awataguchi Norikuni was a swordsmith of the Awataguchi school active in early Kamakura Yamashiro Province, counted as one of the "Awataguchi Six Brothers." Among the brothers, Norikuni is known for outstanding technical skill, leaving works of high achievement in both tachi and tantō. As a master who embodied the Awataguchi aesthetic ideal — finely packed near-nashiji ko-itame jigane, uniform deeply-nie suguha or ko-midare hamon — he stands at the apex of early Kamakura Yamashiro-den. A defining characteristic of Norikuni's work is the exceptional quality of the jigane. The densely packed ko-itame displays high luster with fine chikei throughout, demonstrating a deep and beautiful forge. The hamon is primarily a gentle suguha with varying expression that avoids monotony in a dignified composition. ## Norikuni's Position within the Awataguchi School Later connoisseurs called Norikuni's works "the essence of Awataguchi," positioning them as among the most purely embodied expressions of the school's aesthetic ideal. He also left fine tantō, occupying an important intermediate point in the lineage of Awataguchi tantō technique leading to Yoshimitsu. ## DATEKATANA and Norikuni DATEKATANA presents Norikuni alongside Yoshimitsu as one of the treasures of the Awataguchi school — a pure embodiment of Yamashiro-den beauty. Multiple works survive as National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties, proving the high technical standard of the Awataguchi school to this day.

Famous Works

• 太刀（国宝・東京国立博物館）
• 短刀（重要文化財）