Japan: late Kamakura Period 1280-1320 Rare Tachi from the Kamakura period Signed Ryokai. Shinogi Zukuri the Jigane - grain forging is a dense Ko-itame with fine Ji-nie. The Hamon is a gently undulating Chu Suguha combined with Elements of Ko chogi & Ko gunome with some Ashi & a faint utsuri. Ryokai was son of Rai Kunitoshi, who was born when he was just 17 years old. He left the Rai family of Kunitoshi at the age 16 taking the priest name Ry?kai. Extant date signatures range between the fifth year of Sh?? (1292) & the second year of Enky? (1309). The blade is in shirasaya, plain wooden traditional storage mounting. Tachi were the earliest form of Japanese Sword in the curved form we know today, the Tachi was developed in around the 10th Century known as the Heian Period. Overall Length: 100cm Blade Length: 70cm