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Yamashiro Kuni Nobokuni

Submitted by Michel Sourgnes on Tue, 2014-07-29 14:42

Good morning to all readers.
I am looking for assistance for this wakisachi (51.2 cm) in regard of the signature. After 2 years spending spare time to find an oshigata I threw in my towel. I attached the mei and several shots of the blade. I am aware that you may need more photos, no problem I will do as asked. It is my feeling that the hamon is close to Shochu style , the boshi is rather small and the tempering of it is O-maru on one side and nearly square on the other (as per photos).
My research tells me that in medieval time Kuni had the meaning of Province and later this changed to have more a meaning of County / Shire.
Thank you for any thoughts / assistance informations you may provide me.
Regards from a warm summer day from the South of France.
Michel

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#1Submitted by saipan59 on Tue, 2014-07-29 18:38.

Kuni

Hi Michel,
I can't help with your KANTEI question.
Regarding "Yamashiro Kuni", I think that "province" is a very appropriate interpretation. I have not heard of the meaning for "KUNI" changing over time, except that in modern times this kanji usually means "country", while the provinces in Japan are referred to by SHUU (older) or KEN (newer, translated as Prefecture).
In the context of Nihon-tou, KUNI is very much like Province, or State (in the U.S.).
In a modern context, examples are: KANKOKU (Korea) and CHUuGOKU (China).

Pete