Kunizane is variously transmitted as a disciple of Kunitoshi, or, according to another tradition, as Kunitoshi's son -- "the younger brother of Kunimitsu and the elder brother of Tomokuni." His position within the school places him in the late to early period, inheriting "the stream represented by Kunimitsu and Kunitsugu." Signed works are few: only a small number of , , and are known, and among the there are examples whose manner "shows an affinity to the Hasebe lineage," displaying an approach that incorporates elements of -like tempering.
The identifies a consistent technical profile across Kunizane's extensive attributed corpus. The is characteristically mixed with , with a pronounced tendency toward , thickly applied fine , and well-entering ; prominent appears in the finer examples. The is fundamentally -based -- typically -- mixed with and in a distinctively small-patterned manner. and enter well, and in places Kyo-style appear, a hallmark of the Yamashiro tradition. The adheres well, with , uchi-noke, , and along the , while and run frequently, producing a bright . The tends toward straight with and vigorous , at times assuming "a flame-like manner" -- a feature in which " Kunizane's individuality may be recognized." One example displays a more flamboyant mixed with , "more tightly clustered" than Kunimitsu's works and "producing a forceful spirit and abundant variation."
The attribution methodology repeatedly invokes a hierarchical positioning: at a glance works may "suggest the manner of Kunimitsu," but "the appears in smaller-patterned motifs" and "the level of workmanship yields, if only slightly, to Kunimitsu." The best examples are praised for retaining "ample " with and that are , and for presenting "abundant changes of scenery and many highlights for appreciation." Distinguished provenance accompanies several blades, including transmission in the Oshimazu, Nabeshima, and Sakai families, and a blade bestowed by the eighth shogun Yoshimune upon Sakai Tadataka of Maebashi. The consistently affirms that works displaying the characteristic small-patterned within a -toned composition, together with the standing-grain and vigorous activities, "clearly manifest the characteristic features of Kunizane."