Yoshioka Ichimonji Sukeshige

助茂

2 ranked works

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TokujūVol. 10, No. 23 · Tachi

Overview

Sukeshige was a representative swordsmith of the Yoshioka group, active from the late period into the period in Province. The Yoshioka branch rose to prominence as the earlier Fukuoka line waned, and Sukeshige ranked alongside Sukemitsu and Sukeyoshi as one of the school's principal craftsmen. His full signature, recorded as no Yoshioka-jū Saemon-no-jō Ki Sukeshige, appears on blades bearing date inscriptions from the Enkyō (1308-1311) and Sadawa (Jōwa, 1345-1350) eras, attesting to a working life that spanned several decades. He followed the convention of incising the character "" on the , sometimes above his personal name, sometimes alone.

Sukeshige's forging displays a of mixed with and a tendency toward (flowing grain), frequently becoming (standing grain), with fine and producing distinct in the steel surface. His typically centres on mixed with round-headed , undulating with restrained variation in height and enlivened by vigorous and . The is characteristically bright and -dominant, with adhering , fine , and running through the tempered edge. This manner exemplifies the Yoshioka style, which favoured a more controlled and compact expression of the tradition compared with the flamboyant grandeur of the earlier Fukuoka masters.

Sukeshige's surviving signed works are scarce, and those retaining tang form with legible date inscriptions are especially prized as documentary evidence for the chronology of the Yoshioka school. His blades range from full-length with pronounced and to stout of broad construction, reflecting both the elegant aesthetic and the emerging taste for imposing proportions. Across this range, the consistent quality of workmanship and the clarity of his inscriptions confirm his standing as one of the foremost smiths of the Yoshioka lineage.

Historical importance

Where Sukeshige 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—
Gyobutsu—
Tokubetsu Jūyō1
Jūyō Tōken1

Elite Standing

Other artisans of the Yoshioka Ichimonji school

  1. 1.Sukemitsu助光1 for sale8designated
  2. 2.Ichi一3designated
  3. 3.Sukeyuki助行1designated
  4. 4.Suketsugu助次1designated
  5. 5.Suketsugu助次1designated
  6. 6.Sukehide助秀1designated
  7. 7.Yoshiyasu吉安2designated
  8. 8.Sukeyoshi助吉5designated
  9. 9.Sukeyoshi助義5designated
  10. 10.Norinari則成1designated

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