Yoshisuke (義助) of Shimada in Sunshū (Suruga Province) represents a continuation of the principal Shimada lineage, with smiths using this name recorded from the period onward. According to references, the first generation is placed in the Kyōshō era, with the second active around the Eishō and Daiei eras and subsequent generations extending the line down to the period. Among extant works, the oldest confirmed is a bearing a date of Eishō 2 (1505), while the designated pieces examined here are attributed to the period from approximately Tenbun (c. 1532-1555) through the mid-sixteenth century.
The forging in these works is characteristically tight , with a tendency toward near the , and adhering well. The ranges from with and along the to shallow mixed with , the showing depth with adhering and entering. The produced during this period display a wide with thick -- the tightly-forged and the deep, clean -guchi particularly noted by examiners. One example features an carving of a within a , a technique described as unusual for this smith and contributing documentary interest.
The designated works include both and a , the latter form encountered with particular frequency among pieces of this lineage. Carvings are a recurring feature -- with , shōbu-, and with -- and are consistently noted for their skilful composition. These works collectively provide valuable reference material for understanding the Shimada school's production during the middle to late period.