The Yukihiro lineage of Province ranks among the most accomplished branches of the sword tradition. The first-generation Yukihiro was born in Genna 3 (1617) as the second son of Hashimoto Yoshinobu, with the common name Kurobei; his elder brother was Kawachi no Daijo Masahiro. In Shoho 5 (1648) he received the title Dewa no Daijo, and in 3 (1663) he was transferred to Dewa no Kami. It is said that in Keian 3 (1650) he went to Nagasaki and studied Oranda- ("Dutch forging") -- methods for processing nanban-tetsu (imported steel) -- under the Dutch smith Kyuji and Yakushiji Tanenaga. Thereafter many of his works bear the supplementary inscription "Oranda- ." He died in Tenna 2 (1682) at the age of sixty-six. The second-generation Dewa no Kami Yukihiro was his natural son, who styled himself Tobanojo and initially signed as Yukinaga. He received the title Dewa no Kami in Jokyo 1 (1684), and surviving works include blades dated as late as Hoei 3 (1706). His output is extremely scarce in comparison with the first generation, and his workmanship follows the first generation's manner.
The Yukihiro school's forging is distinguished by a tightly packed of extraordinary refinement, in the finest examples achieving a (rice-bran) texture. Extremely fine adheres thickly, with fine entering throughout, and the steel tends slightly toward a blackish tone -- a hallmark of so-called "Soba-" workmanship. The characteristically begins with a at the base, above which the temper develops into a flamboyant mixed with , angular elements, , and -like forms. Long -- distinctive to work -- enter vigorously, the is markedly deep, adheres thickly, and vigorous and appear throughout. The is bright and clear. The first generation also produced accomplished works in which deep , thick , and a bright rival the quality of the main line. Both generations customarily cut the character "" on the tang, and examples signed " " are rare and noteworthy.
The first-generation Yukihiro's true strengths are fully manifested in his -ba, where the vertically elongated with long constitutes a distinctive style overflowing with spirited force. His works span , , , and dedicatory offering blades of exceptional length, with carvings including , , , and hatahoko. At their finest, the quality approaches that of his elder brother Masahiro. The Yukihiro school represents a tradition of bold, vigorous swordsmithing within the broader milieu, and the Oranda- inscription provides precious material for the study of foreign steel in Japanese sword production.