This entry covers the third-generation Muramasa of Kuwana in , the smith of the Tensho era (1573 to 1592). The published sources set out the generations by their dated works: 「村正は伊勢国桑名に住し、現存する最古の年紀が文亀元年あり、これを初代として永正・天文の年紀を見るものが二代であり、天正年紀のあるものが三代である」 (Muramasa lived at Kuwana in ; the earliest surviving date is Bunki 1 (1501), taken as the first generation, works dated Eisho and Tenbun are the second generation, and those dated Tensho are the third). The earlier generations are separate entries; this one rests on the Tensho maker alone.
He is represented here by a single work, a with , designated at the 17th session in 1968. The blade is wide, with proportions and a somewhat strong . Its is a flowing with , a tendency toward a whitish cast, and .
The is based on and mixes , and . It grows especially lively from the middle upward, with , and and mura- run through the whole. The is , tending to a point on the and on the , both with vigorous and a long turn-back. The is , in the shape with a , and 「棟寄りに大振りの二字銘がある」 (a large two-character signature is cut toward the ).
The attribution to the third generation is made from the signature, and the published sources go further: 「銘振りから鑑て三代であり、その最高作である」 (judging from the manner of the signature it is by the third generation, and it is his finest work). With one designated work on record, his manner is known chiefly through this blade, which belonged at designation to Morise Kiyoyuki of Aichi.