Yoshikane is a smith-name found among both the line and the Fukuoka group of Province, active from the late period through the early period. Judging from differences in the manner of signing and in workmanship, it is thought that there were several smiths using this name whose working periods differed somewhat. The older Yoshikane signatures are small in scale, while later examples are somewhat larger; in addition to the common two-character signature, examples are also seen that rarely add the character "." Extant signed works are comparatively numerous. Works by a Yoshikane of the tradition are rarely encountered, and the great majority of surviving pieces are appraised as . A contemporary of the name existed within the group; their workmanship does not differ greatly and their technical level is comparable, though their styles of signature differ. Dated examples bearing the larger form of signature exist from the Kencho era (1249--1256), placing that generation firmly in the early period, while the smaller signatures may date slightly earlier.
The general workmanship characteristic of Yoshikane is as follows: the is mixed with , tending slightly toward (standing grain), with adhering and appearing, while stands out -- ranging from faint to vividly apparent depending on the generation. The is fundamentally -based, mixing in small , , and , with small and entering frequently; adheres, and activities such as and appear. In many cases the shows a tendency toward (subdued quality), and a noted point of appreciation is a whose tip shows slight . Among the older works -- those with the smaller signature style -- the tends toward with only slight and limited , while in later examples the small becomes more animated and bustling. There are also works in which is prominent, set against with strongly standing ; these are appraised as Yoshikane from a time approaching the later phase within . The characteristic form -- with pronounced , marked , a gentle incline downward toward the tip, and a small -- preserves an archaic fragrance (koko) that is the hallmark of the group. Flamboyantly irregular patterns are uncommon; the usual tendency is toward a -like tone or a shallow as the underlying basis. Examples in which both the upper part of the blade and the tang give an impression of somewhat lacking are frequently seen in Yoshikane's work.
Yoshikane's oeuvre fully displays the aesthetic strengths characteristic of work while presenting an archaic manner of workmanship. The consistently notes that the quality of workmanship in both and is excellent, and the finest examples are described as (sound and well-preserved). Among the possible candidates, pieces attributed to Yoshikane are praised for a manner of manufacture in which the that rises into the is especially splendid, and the is of notably fine quality. Whether in the subdued, restrained mode of the earlier generations or the more animated style of the later phase, the works consistently express the characteristic manner of and occupy a secure and distinguished position within that tradition.