Mondō-no-shō Masakiyo

Mondō-no-shō Masakiyo was a swordsmith active in Satsuma Province in the mid-Edo period and is one of the master smiths representing Satsuma shintō. Active from the Genroku through Kyōhō eras, he produced many fine swords as a Satsuma domain smith under the protection of the domain lord, the Shimazu family. The strong jigane characteristic of the Satsuma-den and the bold hamon with vigorous ara-nie were highly valued by the samurai society of the time. The jigane shows ō-itame with hadadachi and coarse jinie, presenting a robust appearance. The hamon is based on ō-gunome and ō-notare, and is well known for its rustic character, with tobiyaki and nie-kuzure, which are distinctive of the Satsuma-den. Known for its practical solidity, he is listed as an ō-wazamono in the Kaihō Kenshaku. He is recorded in the history of Japanese swords as one of the smiths who laid the foundations of bakumatsu-period Satsuma swords.