Satsuma Kunihira

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Kunihira (国平) is a Satsuma smith of the mid-Edo period. He is said to have been a nephew or cousin of the smith Oku Tadakiyo (奥忠清), and he was a pupil of Maruta Sōzaemon Masafusa (丸田惣左衛門正房). He first signed Tadakane (忠金) and Kaneyoshi (包善), and later Kunihira. In 1721 (Kyōhō 6), when the shogunate summoned Masakiyo (正清) and Ippei Yasuyo (一平安代) to Edo, he accompanied them as tutor. One blade of his is known engraved 薩州住国平八十六歳作之 (Sasshū-jū Kunihira hachijūroku-sai kore o saku), made at the age of 86. His tsūshō were Oku Tarō (奥太郎) and Sōbei (総兵衛). He appears in the wazamono list, in the mixed category of smiths with blades of several grades. One of his blades is signed 薩摩國住平國平 (Satsuma no Kuni-jū Taira Kunihira), with the uji Taira.