Kagenaga of Inshu is widely known under the sobriquet "Inaba Kokaji" (the Inaba smith). Tradition holds that the first generation was a pupil of Yoshimasa of Yamashiro Province, active around the Kagen era (1303-1306), while another tradition records him as a student of Kunitoshi. The second generation is placed in the Kenmu era (1334-1338), and thereafter the name was inherited in successive generations down to the end of the period. Since few works by Kagenaga bear inscribed dates, determining chronology solely from the manner of the signature remains difficult, though a consistent five-character signature placed on the side close to the is observed across the lineage. One blade bears the unique inscription "resident of Sen-niura," a place-name otherwise unattested among Kagenaga's works, making it especially valuable reference material recorded in the Kozan .
Conventionally, when one speaks of Kagenaga one tends to call to mind a fine , and this is indeed the school's principal manner. The characteristic temper is a in which and enter, with thick adhering and a tight ; and appear, and the turns back with . The forging shows mixed with , with fine and ; in some examples stands out, and the workmanship at a glance even suggests the character of Yamato works or calls to mind works such as unrui. Yet the school's range extends beyond : one hardens a that appears to have taken inspiration from Kagemitsu, with -like elements and angular features, while another blade displays a broader mixed with small , , and .
The breadth of Kagenaga's working manner across multiple generations is a point consistently praised in the designation records. Whether in the restrained mode with its Yamashiro-Yamato sensibility or in the more adventurous compositions showing influence, the school maintained a standard of workmanship in which both and are characteristically . These blades are valued for understanding the full scope of provincial smithing from the late through periods.