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National Treasure

Long Sword (Tachi), Inscribed “Norikuni”

太刀 銘則国
Long Sword (Tachi), Inscribed “Norikuni” (太刀 銘則国)
PLATE IImage: Kyoto National Museum, via ColBase — CC BY 4.0
At a glance — Metalwork · Kamakura period, 13th century · held by Kyoto National Museum · designated National Treasure of Japan.

Fact Sheet

Designation
National Treasure (国宝)
Category
Metalwork
Date
1201–1300
Dimensions
Length74.7cm:Curvature2.1cm
Catalogue ID
cobas-3273

Find more

National Treasure Long Sword (Tachi) Inscription: “Norikuni” From the end of the Heian (794-1185) through the Kamakura (1185-1333) periods, three brothers, who were swordsmiths, Kunitomo, Hisakuni, and Kuniyasu, lived in the Awataguchi area of Kyoto and found the Awataguchi School. The brothers served the retired emperor Gotoba (1180-1239, r. 1180-98) on a rotating basis. Norikuni is said to have been a son of Kunitomo. The blade of this long sword (J., tachi) is slender. The point is somewhat turned down and the center of the curve is near the tang of the blade. The surface of the blade is characterized by a fine wood-grain texture, and the temper line is narrow and straight. These features and manufacturing techniques are characteristic of Kyoto swords made in the early Kamakura period.

— Museum description: Kyoto National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.

Record & Sources

Cite this page: “Long Sword (Tachi), Inscribed “Norikuni”（太刀 銘則国）.” Treasures of Japan, catalogue no. cobas-3273. Kyoto National Museum. https://treasures.yamato-kenkou.com/treasures/long-sword-tachi-inscribed-norikuni/ — entry last verified 1 November 2026.
Full record data (as published in the official catalogue record)
  • Category: Applied arts:Arms and armor:Blades:Tachi|Applied arts:By media:Metalwork|Applied arts:By region:Japan
  • Cultural property designation: National Treasure
  • Genre: Metalwork
  • Size: Length74.7cm:Curvature2.1cm
  • 員数: 1口
  • 種別: 工芸:武器・武具:刀剣:太刀|工芸:素材別:金工|工芸:地域別:日本
  • 分類: 金工
  • 法量: 刃長74.7cm:反り2.1cm
  • 銘文等: 佩表「則国」二字銘

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