Kasama Ikkansai Shigetsugu

Kasama Ikkansai Shigetsugu was a modern swordsmith born in Shizuoka Prefecture in 1886, with the given name Yoshikazu. According to sword-dealer records, he first learned forging from an uncle who was himself a smith, later studied under Morioka Masayoshi, and in 1903 moved to Tokyo to deepen his training.

Shigetsugu served as an instructor at the Nihontō Tanren Denshūjo (Japanese Sword Forging Institute) that Kurihara Hikosaburo had opened in Akasaka, and around 1935 became the chief swordsmith of the Tokiwamatsu forge established within the estate of Toyama Mitsuru. He was also appointed an Imperial Household sword official (o-katana-gakari), taking part in sword-making connected to the imperial family. He forged many presentation swords and devoted himself to reviving and transmitting traditional forging techniques.

Shigetsugu died in 1965 at the age of 80. Among his pupils were Miyairi Shohei (later Miyairi Yukihira), who would be designated a Living National Treasure, and Tsukamoto Kissei, marking him as one of the important teachers of the modern sword world. His work favored a nie-laden style reminiscent of the Soshu tradition, and he was also skilled in blade carving.