Mondō-no-shō Masakiyo

Mondō-no-shō Masakiyo was a swordsmith of the mid-Edo period active in Satsuma domain, recognized as one of the leading masters of Satsuma shintō. Working from the Genroku to Kyōhō eras under the patronage of the Shimazu clan lords, he produced numerous outstanding blades celebrated for the characteristic Satsuma qualities: a robust jigane with large, bold itame that stands up vigorously, covered in coarse jinie; and a dramatic hamon of large gunome and notare with tobiyaki and nie-collapse, conveying a wild, untamed energy native to Satsuma. Renowned as a cutting blade (wazamono), his work laid important foundations for the reputation Satsuma swords would achieve in the late Edo period.