Yoshioka Ichimonji Sukeyoshi

助義

5 ranked works

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JūyōVol. 18, No. 118 · Tachi

Overview

Yoshioka Sukeyoshi was a swordsmith of the Yoshioka group, active from the late period into the period. According to the sword reference books, Sukeyoshi is described as a son of Sukekichi, and is also recorded with the longer signature "Bishu Yoshioka-ju Saemon-no-jo Sukeyoshi," with his period of activity given as around the Gentoku and Jowa eras. The Yoshioka branch prospered following the decline of the Fukuoka , and its representative smiths — Sukemitsu, Sukeyoshi, Sukeshige, and Suketsugu — all share the character "" as a common element in their names. Within the broader lineage, the Yoshioka group occupies a transitional position, carrying the tradition forward from the period's greatest mainstream into the era.

Sukeyoshi's characteristic manner, as identified by the , departs from the bold, large-patterned of the earlier Fukuoka in favor of a somewhat smaller-scaled workmanship in which stands out more than . The shows mixed with or , bearing fine with delicate , while a prominent stands out in the ground. The is chiefly mixed with , with abundant and ; it is -dominant with accompanying , and slight and are seen. The is described as bright and clear. Features to be appreciated include areas where the temper shows a reverse-slanting tendency, or where a compacted appearance is mixed into the edge. In addition to in the characteristic compact style, Sukeyoshi also produced works in , and the rare dated Gentoku 3 (1331) attests to a breadth of form unusual for smiths of his era.

The consistently affirms that Sukeyoshi's works clearly display the distinctive features of the Yoshioka school, with the bright and clear singled out as evidence of notably fine workmanship. Extant signed works with reliable inscriptions are described as few and precious, and those bearing dated inscriptions — such as the Ryakuo 2 (1339) and Sadawa 5 (1349) — are accorded high value as reference material. In that the is comparatively prominent and the overall pattern is somewhat small in scale, one can perceive the distinctive features of the Yoshioka school. Sukeyoshi's oeuvre, spanning signed , gold-inlaid attributions by Choshiki, and documentary dated examples, confirms his standing as a principal representative of this important lineage.

Historical importance

Where Sukeyoshi 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 Bijutsuhin1
Gyobutsu—
Tokubetsu Jūyō—
Jūyō Tōken4

Elite Standing

Dated Works

Provenance

Blade Forms

Distribution across 5 ranked works

Signatures

Signature types across 5 ranked works

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.Sukeshige助茂2designated
  7. 7.Sukehide助秀1designated
  8. 8.Yoshiyasu吉安2designated
  9. 9.Sukeyoshi助吉5designated
  10. 10.Norinari則成1designated

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