Yamashiro no Kami Kunikiyo
山城守国清
Description
Lineage
Yamashiro no Kami Kunikiyo was the name passed down through several generations of Echizen swordsmiths, with the first generation regarded as the most skilled. The first-generation Kunikiyo was born in Matsushiro, Shinano Province, said to be the son of Shimada Sukemune, third head of the Suruga smithing family, and went by the common name Yoemon.
Career
He traveled to Kyoto to study under Horikawa Kunihiro and changed his name to Kunikiyo. After Kunihiro's death he served Matsudaira Tadamasa of the Echigo Takada domain, later moving to Echizen when Tadamasa's domain was transferred to Fukui. In 1627 he received the rank of Yamashiro Daijō, and the following year, 1628, was promoted to Yamashiro no Kami, being granted permission to engrave a chrysanthemum crest below the habaki, signing his blades "Yamashiro no Kami Fujiwara Kunikiyo."
Style and Reputation
His extant works are mostly swords and wakizashi. He excelled at straight blades (suguha) while also producing undulating (notare) patterns; his straight blades are said to resemble those of the second-generation Hizen Tadahiro, and his undulating patterns to resemble the Horikawa style.
Related Swordsmiths
和泉守国貞
Osaka Shinto (Settsu Province). Carrying on the Osaka tradition of refined shinto swordmaking, Kunisada inherited the techniques of his predecessor (Kunisada I) and refined them further, becoming recognized as the foremost swordsmith in Osaka.Izumi no Kami Kunisada
Active during the mid-Edo period (late 17th to early 18th century), coinciding with the flourishing Genroku era of Osaka culture. Under the peaceful governance of Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, demand for swords shifted toward artistic refinement, and Kunisada embodied this spirit with his polished craftsmanship.
堀川国広
Soshu tradition (New Sword)Horikawa Kunihiro
Momoyama to Early Edo period (New Sword genesis era)
大和守吉道
OtherYamato no Kami Yoshimichi
Early Edo Period
近江守継廣
Echizen Shintō (Echizen Shimosaka School)Ōmi no Kami Tsuguhiro
Mid-Edo Period