Hasebe Kunishige — The Nanboku-cho Master Who Made the Soshu Tradition Flourish in Yamashiro, Creator of the National Treasure Heshikiri Hasebe

The Swordsmith Who Brought Soshu-den to Kyoto

Hasebe Kunishige was a swordsmith active during the Nanboku-chō period and is known as one of the Ten Masters of Masamune. While there are various theories about his origins, he is often positioned as the swordsmith who brought the Soshu-den style to Yamashiro (Kyoto), and his work is described as a fusion of Soshu-den and Yamashiro traditions.

During the Nanboku-chō period, tachi became increasingly grand, and many blades were shortened through large reshaping. Known examples of Hasebe's work also include blades created through such reshaping.

Swords of the Nanboku-chō Era

The Nanboku-chō period, when Hasebe Kunishige was active, is known as the era when Japanese sword forms reached their most magnificent proportions. Blades possessed wide widths, large kissaki, and considerable length. It is believed that the demand for practical power in the ongoing warfare is reflected in the blade configurations characteristic of this era.

Such long blades were often shortened to more practical dimensions in later periods, and many works lost their signatures through nakago reshaping. This is why so many masterpieces from the Nanboku-chō period survive as unsigned blades.

Hitatsura: A Distinctive Characteristic

Essential to discussing Hasebe Kunishige's style is the hamon called hitatsura. This is characterized by hardening not only in the edge but also in the ji, creating a complex and ornate appearance where the hamon and jikei blend together. What distinguishes the Hasebe school is how they developed the strong nie of Soshu-den into an even more elaborate expression.

The jigane displays mokume with surface texture, and pieces showing jinie are seen, representing an appeal that combines the forcefulness characteristic of the Nanboku-chō era with the refinement of Kyoto work.

Ōsuriage Unsigned Blades and "Kiwame"

Unsigned blades have been positioned through "kiwame"—the practice of determining which school or swordsmith created a work based on characteristics such as overall form, jigane, and hamon. During the Edo period, the Honami family, whose business was sword appraisal, undertook this attribution work, and this tradition has been passed down to modern examination organizations.

A blade that remains ōsuriage unsigned yet is attributed to a specific swordsmith is itself evidence that its stylistic distinctiveness is clear. Works by the Hasebe school, marked by their characteristic hitatsura, offer much to appreciate even when unsigned, and provide the satisfaction of being able to verify the basis of attribution with your own eyes.

The National Treasure "Heshikiri Hasebe"

What has brought widespread renown to Hasebe Kunishige's name is the National Treasure "Heshikiri Hasebe." This blade is known to have been treasured by Oda Nobunaga and later passed to the Kuroda family, and is currently held in the Fukuoka City Museum. The name "heshikiri" is said to derive from an anecdote in which Nobunaga crushed an opponent with this blade during hand-to-hand combat.

Despite being an ōsuriage unsigned blade, this masterpiece—attributed to Hasebe Kunishige—stands as a representative work conveying the elegance of hitatsura and the strength of Soshu-den to the present day, and is particularly renowned in the history of Japanese swords.

Terminology Mini-Explanation—Nie and Nioi

When discussing the appeal of Soshu-den, "nie" and "nioi" cannot be overlooked. Both refer to the sparkle of fine particles created in the steel through hardening, but there are differences in how the particles appear.

Soshu-den is characterized by its strongly gleaming nie, and in the hitatsura of the Hasebe school, the sparkle of nie scattered across ji and edge creates richness of appearance. When viewing, try slowly changing the angle of the lighting and following how these particle sparkles transform.

Points for Appreciation

When viewing works by the Hasebe school, it is good to first pay attention to the ornate quality of the hamon. The rich activity within the hamon and the scenery of hardening that reaches into the ji possess a different kind of appeal from the orderly suguha or refined choji. By simultaneously savoring the magnificent form of the Nanboku-chō period and the beauty of nie derived from Soshu-den, the individuality of this swordsmith becomes more vivid.

It is also beneficial to compare with works from other schools of the same Nanboku-chō period. You will be able to organize the common magnificent forms of the era and the individual differences in hardening between schools, and should be able to directly experience just how distinctive the hitatsura of the Hasebe school is.

Incidentally, "Ten Masters of Masamune" is a later term referring to ten renowned smiths said to have been disciples and senior students of Masamune, who perfected Soshu-den. There are various theories regarding the actual master-disciple relationships, and in research they are treated as tradition, but the term is still widely used to symbolize how the influence of Soshu-den spread to renowned smiths throughout the country. The fact that Hasebe Kunishige has been counted among these Ten Masters is itself evidence that the essence of Soshu-den has been recognized in his work. Because the three-dimensional quality of the scenery is difficult to convey in photographs, we recommend viewing actual pieces under lighting, gradually changing the angle if you have the opportunity.

At TOUKENZA, you can view Japanese swords related to Soshu-den and Nanboku-chō period styles online with photographs and explanations. For those interested in the lineage of master smiths such as Hasebe Kunishige, you can view and purchase a list of featured works online. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via our inquiry form.