Sukemune was a swordsmith of the Shimada school of Suruga Province. According to tradition, he was the younger brother of the first-generation Yoshisuke, who founded the school in the mid- period. The name Sukemune was borne by several successive generations, continuing down into the era; distinguishing the individual generations is, as the acknowledge, extremely difficult. Signature references cite examples from as early as the Bun'an and Bunki eras, with dated works extending through the Tenbun and Eiroku periods and into the Keichō-era transition between and . In their working style, the Shimada smiths show the influence of late tradition, , , and the Sengo group.
The forge is characteristically a well-packed , partially flowing and tending toward , with finely granular yet densely applied and clearly visible . The most frequently takes the form of the school's hallmark connected , often mixed with -ba and , producing a bright accompanied by and . In certain works the temper develops , , and , intensifying into a pattern unmistakably in the Shimada manner. Some pieces instead present a -based temper with mixed and , reflecting the -style influence noted by examiners. The varies from with a tendency to turning back in . The school's work is frequently elaborate, featuring grass-script , , Fudo Myoo, and in the manner of Shimohara carving traditions.
Sukemune's finest works are praised as in both and , and pieces bearing date inscriptions such as the Eiroku 8 (1565) provide valuable documentary reference material. The long blades with pronounced made in a robust, -like manner demonstrate the school's capacity for imposing construction, while the in tempering reveal the breadth of Sukemune's expressive range.