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Overview·Historical importance·Designations·Provenance·Lineage·School
OverviewHistorical importanceDesignationsProvenanceLineageSchool
  1. Schools
  2. Ko-Bizen
  3. Tsuneto

Ko-Bizen Tsuneto

恒遠

Tokujū
Vol. 28, No. 9 · Tachi

Ko-Bizen Tsuneto

恒遠

3 ranked works

Major smith
ProvinceBizenEraRyakunin (1238–1239)PeriodKamakuraSchoolKo-BizenTraditionBizen-denToko Taikan1,500(top 5%)TypeSwordsmithCodeTSU427
1Gyobutsu
1Tokubetsu Jūyō1Jūyō Tōken

Overview

Tsuneto (恒遠) is recorded in the as ", two characters, before Genryaku," placing him in the late to early period as a smith of the group. Judging from the workmanship of his and , as well as the manner of cutting his signature, it is readily accepted that he belongs to the Masatsune (正恒) lineage. His works are exceedingly rare, and signed by Tsuneto represent some of the scarcest survivals among smiths. One example is held in the Imperial Collection (), further attesting to the esteem in which his craft has been held.

Tsuneto's forging exhibits with a slight tendency and somewhat standing grain, upon which adheres and stands out prominently. His typically mixes and with frequent and , accompanied by and well-attached . The often shows an tendency characteristic of early work. In certain examples, however, the broadens considerably and incorporates large , resulting in a flamboyant and brilliant workmanship that departs from the narrow, restrained temperament more commonly associated with smiths. The is typically rendered in or with a slight tendency, and when are present they take the form of carved kaki-nagashi.

Tsuneto's surviving oeuvre constitutes valuable reference material for understanding the stylistic range within the tradition during the transitional period from late into early . His works convey an archaic and elegant flavor while demonstrating that the Masatsune lineage was capable of both restrained -based compositions and more vigorous interpretations. That both and in his extant blades remain speaks to the soundness of his forging, and each signed example holds exceptionally high documentary value given the rarity of his authenticated corpus.

Historical importance

Where Tsuneto 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—
Gyobutsu1
Tokubetsu Jūyō1
Jūyō Tōken1

Elite Standing

Provenance

Currently Available

Lineage

Tsuneto
Student
  1. 1.Tochika遠近6designated

Ko-Bizen School

Other artisans of the Ko-Bizen school

  1. 1.Tomonari友成33designated
  2. 2.Masatsune正恒66designated
  3. 3.Kanehira包平28designated
  4. 4.Kageyasu景安27designated
  5. 5.Yoshikane吉包46designated
  6. 6.Nobufusa信房13designated
  7. 7.Yukihide行秀17designated
  8. 8.Naritaka成高9designated
  9. 9.Sukekane助包1 for sale28designated
  10. 10.Motochika基近4designated
  11. 11.Junkei順慶7designated
  12. 12.Tsunemitsu恒光8designated

Tsuneto

Tsuneto(恒遠) was a Japanese swordsmith of the Ko-Bizen school in Bizen province, active during the Ryakunin (1238-1239) period.

The work follows the Bizen-den tradition.

Designated works by Tsuneto include 1 Tokubetsu Jūyō, 1 Jūyō.