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Swordsmiths ・ Beginner
Ten questions on the fundamentals of Japanese swordsmithing: the Gokaden (Five Traditions), Masamune and his teacher, and representative smiths of each school. All choices refer to real smiths and traditions.
The Gokaden consists of Yamashiro (Kyoto), Yamato (Nara), Bizen (Okayama), Sōshū (Kanagawa), and Mino (Gifu). Satsuma-den is not one of the five. (Touken-World 'Gokaden'; Wikipedia 'Gokaden')
Shintōgo Kunimitsu (Kamakura period) established the foundations of the Sōshū tradition and is recorded as the teacher of Masamune. Some accounts place Yukimitsu (Masamune's father) as an intermediary. (Touken-World 'Shintōgo Kunimitsu'; Wikipedia 'Shintōgo Kunimitsu')
Bizen-den jigane—predominantly mokume-hada—always shows 'utsuri,' a pale, shadow-like reflection. Masame-hada is the hallmark of Yamato-den, not Bizen. (Aikentougei 'Gokaden'; Touken-World 'Bizen-den')
The name 'Osafune' first appears in sword inscriptions with Mitsutada, making him the de facto founder of the Osafune school. Nagamitsu was his son (2nd generation) and Kagemitsu was the 3rd. (Meitou.info 'Osafune-ha'; Touken-World 'Nagafune-kaji history')
The Yamato Goha are: Senjuin, Taima, Tegai, Hōshō, and Shikkake. The Horikawa school belongs to Yamashiro-den (Shintō period), the Shizu school to Mino-den, and the Rai school to Yamashiro-den. (Touken-World 'Yamato-den schools'; Kougetsudo 'Yamato Goha')
Regardless of the overall hamon style, Mino-den blades always include togariba (pointed peaks). Chōji-midare is characteristic of Bizen-den, and notare of Sōshū-den. (Aikentougei 'Mino-den features'; Touken-World 'Mino-den')
Masamune (Okasaki Gorōnyūdō Masamune) worked in Sagami Province (present Kanagawa) and brought the Sōshū tradition to its apex. He is one of the Tenka Sansaku (Three Supreme Smiths). (Touken-World 'Sōshū-den'; Wikipedia 'Masamune')
Awataguchi Yoshimitsu (Fujirō Yoshimitsu), active in Kamakura-period Yamashiro, is the greatest master of the Awataguchi school and one of the Tenka Sansaku. He is especially renowned for tantō (called Fujirō). (Touken-World 'Yoshimitsu'; Wikipedia 'Awataguchi Yoshimitsu')
Sōshū-den's defining trait is an intense midare-ba densely packed with large nie. The jigane is itame with ō-hada, rich in chikei and jinie. This style emerged from advances in forging technique following the Mongol invasions. (Aikentougei 'Sōshū-den'; Touken-World 'Sōshū-den features')
Gokotai is a tantō by Shintōgo Kunimitsu, designated a National Treasure, now in the Token Hakubutsukan. Fudō Masamune is by Masamune, Daihannya Nagamitsu by Nagamitsu, and Mikazuki Munechika by Sanjō Munechika. (Wikipedia 'Shintōgo Kunimitsu'; e-kokuhō)