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About the maker

Sue-Soshu Hirotsugu廣次

Hirotsugu was a swordsmith who resided in Kamakura in Sagami Province, working within the *Soshu-den* tradition. Sword reference works place the first generation in the Kenmu era; however, among extant works none can be traced back earlier than the mid-Muromachi period, and he is accordingly regarded as a representative Soshu smith of the late Muromachi period. Smiths of particularly high technical ability are known from around the Meio era, and there are also examples bearing Tenbun-era date inscriptions signed "Sunshu Shimada-ju," establishing a connection to Suruga Province. A wakizashi in the Imperial Collection dated Meio 9 (1500) represents the oldest firmly dated example. Hirotsugu's workmanship is characterized by bold, vigorous construction with wide *mihaba* and extended *kissaki*. The *kitae* is *itame-hada* mixed with *mokume*, frequently showing a tendency toward standing grain, with thickly adhering *ji-nie* and abundant *chikei*. The *hamon* is generally *yakidaka*, mixing *gunome* with *choji*, *togariba*, and *yahazu-gata* elements within a *notare* ground. With *tobiyaki* and *muneyaki* intermingled, the tempering develops into *hitatsura* of striking force, accompanied by frequent *kinsuji* and *sunagashi* and a bright *nioiguchi*. The NBTHK observes that at first glance such work "produces a strongly nie-laden, powerful hitatsura that calls to mind the Hasebe school of the Nanbokucho period." Several blades also display faint *utsuri*, and the *boshi* is characteristically deep, often finished *ichimai* with *hakikake*. Hirotsugu's finest pieces are consistently praised for the vigor and completeness of their hitatsura, with both *ji* and *ha* richly covered in *nie*. The execution is described as forceful even into the boshi, and the *horimono* on certain examples -- including *kurikara* and *bonji* carvings -- are called "splendid." The NBTHK notes that from these qualities "Hirotsugu's high level of technique is readily discerned," and the best works rank among the finest achievements of late Soshu craftsmanship.

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