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Overview·Historical importance·Designations·School
OverviewHistorical importanceDesignationsSchool
  1. Schools
  2. Aoe
  3. Ko-Aoe
  4. Suketsuna

Ko-Aoe Suketsuna

助綱

Tokujū
Vol. 5, No. 36 · Tachi

Ko-Aoe Suketsuna

助綱

4 ranked works

Major smith
ProvinceBitchuEraHoji (1247–1249)PeriodKamakuraSchoolAoe>Ko-AoeTraditionBizen-denTypeSwordsmithCodeSUK1078
2Tokubetsu Jūyō2Jūyō Tōken

Overview

Suketsuna is a smith of the lineage, active in Province from the late through approximately the mid- period. The swordsmiths of are broadly divided into two groups: those of the Seno Kajishi line tracing their origin to Noritaka, and those of the Kajishi line whose signatures characteristically incorporate the character . Today, however, these are generally grouped together under the broad designation " smiths." While the name Suketsuna also appears among the , Fukuoka , , and Kokubunji lineages, the works attributed to this maker belong specifically to the tradition, which flourished centered on along the basin of the Takahashi River. Extant signed works by this smith are comparatively rare, making each surviving example precious as documentary material.

In terms of workmanship, Suketsuna's blades display the hallmark characteristics of the school. The tends toward , forming a (crepe-like) texture, with frequently appearing alongside well-adhering . The is consistently -based, rendered in , often mixed with , , or ; and enter within the temper, and is sometimes applied. The characteristically runs straight or in shallow , turning back in with slight . are commonly carved through on both sides. The , typically , bears the distinctive practice of cutting the signature on the side with thick chisel strokes. Overall, when compared with contemporary works, the impression is more subdued and austere, with the tending toward .

Suketsuna's surviving consistently exhibit a slender build with pronounced and , preserving an archaic period character that does not descend later than the mid- period. The combination of standing out clearly in the , the restrained -toned temper with , and the signature placement on the side together constitute unmistakable hallmarks of the school. As works by this smith are few, each blade serves not only as an exemplar of craftsmanship but also as invaluable source material for the study of early swordmaking traditions.

Historical importance

Where Suketsuna 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 Bunkazai—
Jūyō Bijutsuhin—
Gyobutsu—
Tokubetsu Jūyō2
Jūyō Tōken2

Elite Standing

Currently Available

Ko-Aoe School

Other artisans of the Ko-Aoe school

  1. 1.Masatsune正恒28designated
  2. 2.Yasutsugu康次11designated
  3. 3.Kanetsugu包次9designated
  4. 4.Tsunetsugu恒次12designated
  5. 5.Suketsugu助次14designated
  6. 6.Moritoshi守利11designated
  7. 7.Tametsugu爲次6designated
  8. 8.Toshitsugu俊次6designated
  9. 9.Tsugutada次忠6designated
  10. 10.Sadatsugu貞次5designated
  11. 11.Moritsugu守次5designated
  12. 12.Shigetsugu重次5designated

Suketsuna

Suketsuna(助綱) was a Japanese swordsmith of the Ko-Aoe school in Bitchu province, active during the Hoji (1247-1249) period.

The work follows the Bizen-den tradition.

Designated works by Suketsuna include 2 Tokubetsu Jūyō, 2 Jūyō.