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Overview·Historical importance·Designations·Provenance·Blade Forms·Signatures·Lineage·School
OverviewHistorical importanceDesignationsProvenanceBlade FormsSignaturesLineageSchool
  1. Schools
  2. Ichimonji
  3. Fukuoka Ichimonji
  4. Sukemura

Fukuoka Ichimonji Sukemura

助村

Jūyō
Vol. 69, No. 24 · Katana

Fukuoka Ichimonji Sukemura

助村

6 ranked works

Major smith
ProvinceBizenEraKennin (1201–1204)PeriodKamakuraSchoolIchimonji>Fukuoka IchimonjiTraditionBizen-denGeneration1stTeacherSukeyukiFujishiroJo-jo sakuToko Taikan1,500(top 5%)TypeSwordsmithCodeSUK313
1Jūyō Bunkazai
1Jūyō Bijutsuhin
4Jūyō Tōken

Overview

Sukemura is a smith of the group, active from the late period through the early period, whose works belong to the earliest stratum of the forging tradition. The smiths and their works from this era are collectively distinguished from later production by their classically archaic character, termed koko by the . Within this lineage, Sukemura is consistently described as a smith of whom comparatively few extant signed works survive, lending each authenticated example a heightened documentary significance. Sword signature references record the name Sukemura in both the group and the school; however, the distinguishes his work on the basis of its characteristic tempering, firmly placing him within the affiliation.

Sukemura's style is defined by a temper grounded in with small irregularity — a mixed with , , and at times small -like elements. The identifies as particularly characteristic the presence of running along the , the appearance of -otoshi near the , and an overall subdued and austere quality described as shibumi. His is typically with and , and a clearly defined — whether or the distinctive particular to this period — stands out vividly in the . In certain works, form in concert with the , creating additional points of scenic interest, while and appear within the temper. The , though it does not show striking rises and falls, is rich in variation and internal activity.

The 's evaluative language positions Sukemura as a smith of high technical accomplishment whose works, though rare, reward close study. His unshortened are praised as imposing and dignified, and even heavily shortened examples are recognized for preserving the essential characteristics of his manner. The board repeatedly emphasizes the excellence of both and , noting that his works allow one to discern the high level of skill of this smith. Each surviving piece is valued not only for its superior workmanship but equally as precious reference material for understanding the earliest flowering of the school.

Historical importance

Where Sukemura 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

Select a lens to see how it's measured.

Designations

Kokuhō—
Jūyō Bunkazai1
Jūyō Bijutsuhin1
Gyobutsu—
Tokubetsu Jūyō—
Jūyō Tōken4

Elite Standing

Provenance

Blade Forms

Distribution across 6 ranked works

Signatures

Signature types across 6 ranked works

Currently Available

Lineage

TeacherSukeyuki
Sukemura
Student
  1. 1.Sukemura助村

Fukuoka Ichimonji School

Other artisans of the Fukuoka Ichimonji school

  1. 1.Sukezane助眞42designated
  2. 2.Yoshifusa吉房1 for sale45designated
  3. 3.Norimune則宗8designated
  4. 4.Yoshihira吉平17designated
  5. 5.Tamekiyo爲清6designated
  6. 6.Sukekane助包6designated
  7. 7.Norikane則包7designated
  8. 8.Yoshimochi吉用10designated
  9. 9.Tameto爲遠5designated
  10. 10.Yoshimune吉宗1 for sale6designated
  11. 11.Naganori長則17designated
  12. 12.Ichi一7designated

Sukemura

Sukemura(助村) was a Japanese swordsmith of the Fukuoka Ichimonji school in Bizen province, active during the Kennin (1201-1204) period.

The work follows the Bizen-den tradition.

Designated works by Sukemura include 1 Jūyō Bunkazai (Important Cultural Property), 4 Jūyō.