Fukuoka Suketsuna (助綱) is traditionally said to have been the son of Sukezane (助真), and together with his father, he went down from Province to in , where both came to be referred to by the separate appellation " ." While forging in the manner of , Suketsuna's works characteristically display a markedly stronger presence of than is typical of the school: the shows powerful together with and related effects, and within the one often finds abundant internal activities such as and . His forging tends toward a more standing grain () than Sukezane's, and his temper does not consistently present the fully archetypal seen in some other work.
The characteristic technical profile is consistent across Suketsuna's surviving blades: an mixed with , overall tending toward , with thickly formed and fine interwoven; standing out with clarity. The is mixed with , , and other elements, with profuse and , and the entire temper often tends toward . The is bright, adheres well, and appears in places. Suketsuna's frequently shows more vigorous activity than in ordinary work, sometimes becoming flame-like (-style) with sweeping . Among his works, certain pieces show an especially strong Sōshū-den tendency, with and coarse so intense as to embody the very temperament of the period in the steel.
Suketsuna's blades characteristically exhibit an imposing, dignified : broad in with abundant , conveying the martial vigor of the mid- period. All surviving works are greatly shortened () and unsigned, attributed through appraisal on the basis of their -laden workmanship and departure from typical character. The has consistently affirmed that in both and , the distinctive features of Suketsuna are well displayed, making the traditional attributions wholly convincing. His works are valued for their splendidly florid , excellent overall workmanship, and the sound, well-preserved () condition of their steel.
