Draft:Kuniie Yoshihara

Japanese katana swordsmith born in the 20th century. His civil name is Yoshihara Shōji (吉原荘二). Is known under the name of Yoshihara Kuniie 3rd generation (吉原３代目國家), as his grandfather was also known under the name of Yoshihara Kuniie  (吉原國家).

== Biography, == Yoshihara Shōji (吉原荘二) was born on February 17, 1945 in Setagaya ward  (世田谷区) as the second son of Yoshihara Masahiro  (吉原将博)   (Kuniie second generation). In 1957, he graduated from Sumiyoshi Elementary School in Katsushika ward (葛飾区立住吉小学校) and started helping his grandfather Yoshihara Kuniie  (吉原國家) (Kuniie first generation) in swordsmithing.

In 1960, he graduated from Shinjuku Junior High School in Katsushika ward (葛飾区立新宿中学校).

In1963, he graduated from Tōkyō Metropolitan Mukōjima Technical High School in mechanization (東京都立向島工業高等学校機械化), after which he started his full-scale swordsmith apprenticeship.

From 1971 to 1981, he won 10 times the New Masterpiece Exhibition Special Award (新作名刀展特賞) and once the Encouragement Award  (新作名刀展奨励賞受賞), after which he was nominated to the prestigious Mukansa  (展無鑑査) status in 1982. He then adopted the swordsmith name of Yoshihara Kuniie 3rd generation (吉原３代目國家).

Yoshihara Kuniie (Shōji) (吉原國家 [荘二]) is the brother of Yoshihara Yoshindo (吉原義人) and uncle of Yoshihara Yoshikazu  (吉原義一). The latter two swordsmiths were also nominated to the prestigious Mukansa status (展無鑑査). He is also the grandson of Yoshihara Kuniie (1st generation) (吉原國家).

== Achievements ==

1965 Received approval for making swords (作刀承認) from the Agency for Cultural Affairs (文化庁).

1966 Received the Effort Award for the first exhibition at the 2nd New Masterpiece Exhibition (新作名刀展初出品努力賞), and later received Effort Award and Encouragement Award (以後努力賞, 奨励賞).

1970 Produced and served the sacred sword for the 60th 遷宮御神 Sengū at 伊勢神宮 Ise Jingū Shrine.

1971 Received 第7回新作名刀展特賞 the 7th New Masterpiece Exhibition Special Award (Mainichi Shimbun Award).

1972 Received 第8回新作名刀展特賞 the 8th New Masterpiece Exhibition Special Award (Honorary Chairman Award).

1973 Received 第9回新作名刀展特賞 the 9th New Masterpiece Sword Exhibition Special Award (Minister for Cultural Affairs Award).

1974 Received 第10回新作名刀展特賞 the 10th New Masterpiece Sword Exhibition Special Award (Minister for Cultural Affairs Award).

1975 Received 第11回新作名刀展特賞 the 11th New Masterpiece Exhibition Special Award (Mainichi Shimbun Award).

1976 Received 第12回新作名刀展特賞 the 12th New Masterpiece Exhibition Special Award (Honorary Chairman Award).

1977 Received 第13回新作名刀展特賞 the 13th New Masterpiece Sword Exhibition Special Award (Minister for Cultural Affairs Award).

1978 Received 第14回新作名刀展特賞 the 14th New Masterpiece Sword Exhibition Special Award (Kanzan Award).

1979 Received 第15回新作名刀展奨励賞受賞 the Encouragement Award at the 15th New Masterpiece Exhibition.

1980 Received 第16回新作名刀展特賞 the 16th New Masterpiece Sword Exhibition Special Award (Mainichi Shimbun Award). Demonstration of sword making in Dallas, USA as a staff member of the Japan Foundation Japanese Sword Promotion.

1981 Received 第17回新作名刀展特賞 the special prize (Kunzan Prize) at the 17th New Masterpiece Exhibition. Commissioned as an instructor for Tatara trainees. Demonstration of sword making in the United States at the invitation of ABNA.

1982 Recognized as 無鑑査 (above inspection) at the New Masterpiece Exhibition. Succeeded to the swordsmith name ３代目國家 ( Kuniie 3rd generation).

1983 Appointed lecturer at the start of 作刀技術保存実地研修会 the practical workshop on sword-making techniques and preservation.

1985 Manufactured the 太刀 (long sword), which served at the 61st 遷宮御神 Sengū for 伊勢神宮 the Ise Jingū Shrine.

1988 Appointed lecturer at the start of 文化庁美術刀剣刀匠技術保存研修会 the Agency for Cultural Affairs Art Sword Craftsmanship Workshop.

1989 Manufactured and served 遷宮御神宝鉾 the sacred treasure hoko for the 61st 遷宮御神 Sengū at 伊勢神宮 Ise Jingū Shrine.

1991 Appointed lecturer in blacksmith polishing techniques at 刀剣研磨外装技術研修会 the training session for exterior techniques of sword polishing.

1994 Manufactured and delivered a replica of a national treasure dagger to 埼玉県立博物館 the Saitama Prefectural Museum.

1995 Managing Director of 全日本刀匠会 All Japan Swordsmiths Association.

1997 Appointed as a judge for 新作刀展覧会the new sword exhibition. Demonstration of making swords at 靖国神社 Yasukuni Shrine, making short swords and dedicating them. Vice President of 全日本刀匠会 All Japan Swordsmiths Association.

1998 Designated as 葛飾区指定無形文化財 an intangible cultural asset by Katsushika City.

1999 Managing Director of 全日本刀匠 All Japan Swordsmiths Association. Sword making demonstration at 靖国神社 Yasukuni Shrine.

2002 Vice Chairman of 全日本刀匠会 All Japan Swordsmiths Association.

2003 Appeared as a swordsmith in the movie The Last Samurai.

2006 Manufactured and served the sacred sword for the 62nd 遷宮御神 Sengū at 伊勢神宮 Ise Jingū Shrine.

2008 Designated as 東京都指定無形文化財 an intangible cultural asset by the Tōkyō Metropolitan Government. Appointed chairman of 全日本刀匠会 the All Japan Swordsmiths Association. Director of 一般財団法人日本刀文化振興協会 the Japanese Sword Culture Promotion Association.

2009 Manufactured and served the sacred sword for the 62nd 遷宮御神 Sengū at 伊勢神宮 Ise Jingū Shrine. Managing Director of 公益財団法人日本刀文化振興協会 the Association for the Promotion of Japanese Sword Culture.

2010 Received the highest award at 守り刀 the Mamori gatana Sword Exhibition (Hitachi Metal Award).

2012 Held a solo exhibition at 日本橋高島屋 Nihonbashi Takashimaya. Manufactured the sword of 横綱日馬富士 Yokozuna Harumafuji.

2013 Resigns as chairman of 全日本刀匠会 the All Japan Swordsmiths Association, becomes an adviser, wins the highest prize at 守り刀 the Mamori gatana Sword Exhibition(Hitachi Metals Award) for the second time.

2015 Received a letter of appreciation from 伊勢神宮 Ise Jingū Shrine for 式年遷宮御料調製 the ceremonial imperial preparation of 遷宮 Sengū treasures.

2018 Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the founding of 文花庁 Bunkachō, he was commended for his contribution to the promotion of culture and the arts.

2018 Appointed Chairman of 公益財団法人日本刀文化振興協会 the Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Japanese Sword Culture Promotion Association.