Kozori Shigeyoshi

重吉

3 ranked works

Nothing by Shigeyoshi on the market right now — follow to hear when one appears.

JūyōVol. 26, No. 202 · Tachi

Overview

Shigeyoshi (重吉), third generation, worked in Province during the Meitoku era (1390-1394) and belongs to the group of late -period smiths commonly referred to as ("small-curvature works"). According to sword catalogs, the first generation was the son of Kagesuke and worked during the Kagen era, the second generation during Genko, and the third generation during the and Meitoku periods. The smiths constitute a distinct group within that does not belong to the lineages of Kanemitsu, Chogi, Motoshige, Morikage, and the like. Besides dated examples from Meitoku, blades dated Oei 1 are also known, placing Shigeyoshi at the transitional phase from the group toward what is termed Oei-.

The characteristically displays mixed with and flowing grain, with the texture standing slightly and fine attaching. A vivid frequently appears. The is predominantly -based, into which , , and pointed () elements are interwoven; in certain works the becomes a fine, small-patterned complexity thoroughly characteristic of the manner. The temper is with , and slight may appear, yielding a bright . Among the smiths, conspicuous individuality is generally not seen; the forging tends to display a mixture of various textures, and the is at times somewhat uneven, tending to become slightly subdued ().

Shigeyoshi is a smith whose surviving works are extremely rare, making each confirmed piece of considerable documentary importance. Works that are both signed and dated are especially valuable as reference material for understanding the school. The signature is characteristically small in scale, and in at least one instance is presented as a decorative, embellished -- a rare treatment for the period that warrants particular attention. Despite the general uniformity ascribed to the group, Shigeyoshi's finest works display notably accomplished workmanship, and the inclusion of a blade in the Imperial Collection further attests to the esteem in which his production is held.

Historical importance

Where Shigeyoshi stands among comparable artisans: across all of nihontō, and within tradition, era, and period. The tiers (Foremost · Leading · Major · Notable) weigh official designations from the NBTHK and Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs, together with historical honors of lasting repute such as the Sansaku and Meibutsu-chō.

随一
Foremost
屈指
Leading
有数
Major
著名
Notable

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Designations

Kokuhō—
Jūyō Bunkazai—
Jūyō Bijutsuhin—
Gyobutsu1
Tokubetsu Jūyō—
Jūyō Tōken2

Elite Standing

Dated Works

Lineage

Other artisans of the Kozori school

  1. 1.Hidemitsu秀光19designated
  2. 2.Iesuke家助1 for sale11designated
  3. 3.Nariie成家1 for sale21designated
  4. 4.Iemori家守15designated
  5. 5.Morisuke守助7designated
  6. 6.Moromitsu師光1 for sale7designated
  7. 7.Tsunehiro恒弘4designated
  8. 8.Yukimitsu幸光3designated
  9. 9.Motomasa基正3designated
  10. 10.Iemitsu家光1designated
  11. 11.Morimitsu守光1designated
  12. 12.Hidesuke秀助1designated

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