Suishinshi Masatsugu

水心子正次

Period

late Edo period

School

Suishinshi school

Active Years

19世紀前半（二代正秀の代）

Tradition

Suishinshi school; shinshintō (new-new swords)

Rank

Description

Lineage

Suishinshi Masatsugu was a swordsmith of the Suishinshi lineage, descended from the school founded by the first-generation Suishinshi Masahide, renowned as one of the founders of the shinshintō (new-new sword) movement. He was the son of the second-generation Suishinshi Masahide, and his real name was Kawabe Hokushi.

Career

Masatsugu became the adopted heir of the second-generation Masahide, though records indicate he did not actually succeed to headship of the Suishinshi house, with the later fourth-generation head effectively occupying what would have been the third-generation position — a succession history that has been recorded. A known example of his work is a tantō signed "Suishinshi Masatsugu," continuing the stylistic tradition of the Suishinshi school.

Reputation

The Suishinshi school was a prominent lineage, established by the first-generation Masahide through his research into Bizen- and Sōshū-tradition techniques that led to the flourishing of shinshintō. Masatsugu is positioned as one of the smiths who continued forging within that school.