KYOTO
     
HORIKAWA
      HORIKAWA-DEN
     
MISHINA
      MORIOKA
OSAKA
      
KUNISADA

        KUNISUKE

       TSUDA
       OSAKA TAMBA
        HIDARE MUTSU 
        IKKANSHI TADATSUNA
        OSAKA ISHIDO
        TAKAI
        OZAKI
         GASSAN
© Copyright Robert Cole 2015 - No copying or distributing
Aoi Shimosaka

Yasutsugu School











AOI SHIMOSAKA:                      AOI SHIMOSAKA made  KO-MOKUME.
                                                                SUGU-KUZURE HA,  SUGU-KUICHIGAI, 
                                                                NOTARE-MIDARE, HAKO-MIDARE, but
 TOKUGAWA  AOI MON                   their distinctive HAMON is  regularly
  "Hollyhock"                                        spaced ASAKI-NOTARE undulations.
YASUTSUGU KEI-CHO 1596           Famous HORIMONO.  Carver: KINAI


            |
            |
            |______________                    KEI-AN  YASUSADA:  MOKUME. Can be KO-MOKUME.
______|______     _____|____                     1648   CHU-SUGU KUZURE,  O-NOTARE MIDARE,
YASUTSUGU     YASUSADA                                     and HAKO-MIDARE. NIOI KUZURE with
(MUSASHI)  (YAMATO no KAMI)                                  KO-NIE and ASHI.  Some deep KAERI.
(ECHIZEN)                   |___________ __________ ___________ ___________
______|______   _____|____   _____|____    ____|_____    ____|_____     ____|_____
YASUTSUGU     YASUSADA   KUNIMASA   YASUTOSHI   YASUNAGA   YASUTOMO
            |____________                                                                                  _____|______
______|_____    _____|____ __                                                                     YASUTOMO
YASUTSUGU    TSUGUHIRA
______|_____    _____|______
YASUTSUGU    TSUGUHIRA
______|_____    _____|______   
YASUTSUGU    TSUGUHIRA  
______|_____              |______________     
YASUTSUGU     _____|______      _____|______  
                             TSUGUHIRA     TSUGUHIDE  

YASUTSUGU KEI-CHO (f: HIRONAGA): ICHIGOUEMON. YASUTSUGU is SHIMOSAKA  from ECHIZEN. He received "Yasu" from Tokugawa Iyeyasu and became Yasutsugu.
      From Oshu Shiga Kori Nishizaka Hon. Son of Akasaka Senjuin Hironaga. Received title Higo Daijo in mid Bun-Roku time. Moved to Echizen in Keicho period. 


This is the time of the three Higo Daijo smiths of Echizen, Kanenori, Sadakuni and Yasutsugu. It appears that one man received the Higo daijo for the group. These three formed a decided Shinto Echizen styleSee Echizen.
      They came together at Fukui in Echizen under the patronage of Honda Narishige. Yuki Hideyasu, Iyeyasu's son and young Matsudaira Lord of Echizen gave assistance to institute the Higo Daijo group in making swords there with 40 Koku.
      In Keicho 12, 1607, the year Hideyasu died at 33, Tokugawa Iyeyasu Shunfu Mishida, summoned his son's loved sword-maker, Shimosaka and awarded him his own "Yasu" character, them same character shared by his departed son, Hideyasu, for Shimosaka's
      Goyo honorary. Also awarded the Tokugawa Aoi Mon. He was then-after obliged to attend the Bakufu every other year and was therefore traveling back and forth between Echizen and Edo, making swords. Yasutsugu died at 68 years, Genwa Shichinen, Ku Gatsu Kyu Hi 1621, 9th month, 9th day.
      Made long swords, Wakizashi Dambira, Tanto, Shinogi-Tsukuri Katakiriba-Tsukuri. Sometimes Unokubi and Shobu-Tsukuri.
      Ko-Itame Hada with Mokume having Ji-Nie. Masame finds the Mune or Shinogi-Ji; and steel color is dark.
      Hamons are Asaki-Notare of Gunome with Ko-Ashi. The famous style mark is Gunome-Mdare Ba, Notare-Midare of high-reaching, Daibo figures. His generally Suguha Hamon will have Ko-Nie, where his exuberant O-Midare Ba will show Ara-Nie in places and forming strings in the Monouchi.
      Boshi can show Togari with Hakikake and Nie Kuzure of Kaen Boshi with Ko-Maru.

   ECHIZEN YASUTSUGU
   HIGO DAI JO ECHIZEN YASUTSUGU
   OITE BUSHU EDO ECHIZEN SHIMOSAKA
   HIGO DAIJO FUJIWARA ECHIZEN YASUTSUGU
   HIGO DAIJO FUJIWARA SHIMOSAKA - ECHIZEN JU
   MOTTE NAMBAN TETSU OITE BUSHU EDO ECHIZEN YASUTSUGU


YASUTSUGU(2) KAN-EI: SHIMOSAKA ICHINOSUKE. KANDA KONYA-MACHI JU. In his later years he used NYUDO after taking his Priest name: KOECHI. On Shogunate orders,
      GENWA KUNEN 1623, after the death of YASUTSUGU(1), he moved permanently to EDO.
      His work period is between KANEI GONEN 1628 to SHOHO NINEN 1645.  He passes on SHOHO SANNEN, 2nd Month, 25th Day, 1646. His work follows the YASUTSTUGU style but more refined. Things seem more defined or more delicate. NIE in first generation is often ARA-NIE. NIE in ICHINOSUKE can be KO-NIE.
      BOSHI is SUGU KO-MARU.
      Famous signature point: First generation uses a MARU stroke in his TSUGU, where second generation uses a KAKU squared TSUGU. First generation did not use SAKU KORE.

   ECHIZEN YASUTSUGU
   ECHIZEN-no-KUNI YASUTSUGU
   OITE BUSHU EDO ECHIZEN YASUTSUGU
   YASUTSUGU NYUDO OITE BUSHU EDO SAKU KORE
   ECHIZEN YASUTSUGU MOTEE NAMBAN TETSUOITE BUSHU EDO SAKU KORE

YASUTSUGU(3) KAN-BUN (f: YASUTSUGU(2): SHIMOSAKA UMASUKE. On the death of
      his father, YASUTSUGU(2), there ensued quarrels of succesion with YASUTSUGU(1)'s other son, the third  brother, SHIROUEMON YASUTSUGU. From this point, a YASUTSUGU branch started with SHIROUEMON in ECHIZEN. The EDO branch continued with UMASUKE. See ECHIZEN.
      UMASUKE work period from KANBUN SANEN 1663 to ENPO SANEN 1675. Swords appear in the style of the 2nd.

   YASUTSUGU MOTTE NAMBAN TETSU OITE BUSHU EDO SAKU KORE

KANETANE(2) KAN-EI (f: ECHIZEN KANETANE): Moves to EDO, making SUGUHA and GUNOME-MIDARE BA. WZAMONO.
    BUSHU JU KANETANE




Yasutsugu Dambira
Nagasa: 1 Shaku 1 Sun 3 Bu 8 Rin (34.5cm)


Tokyo National Museum
Work of the second Yasutsugu.
Hira-Tsukuri, wide blade with shallow Sori.
Omote:
Bishamon Fudo and another Bishamon
Ura: Kurikara grasps Suken  and Vajra
Very fine and knit Ko-Itame Hada with Ji-Nie
Notare has Soshu style O-Midare Ba of Gunome Kuzure where Sunagashi and Kinsuji strafe at figures.
Saagari Ko-Maru Boshi with long Kaeri.
Ubu Yamagata Nakago has two Mekugi-ana.

Motte Namban Tetsu Bushu Edo
Echizen Yasutsugu




























Juyo Bunkazai
Yasutsugu Dambira
Nagasa: 1 Shaku 1 Sun 6 Bu (35.29cm)
Moto-Haba: 1 Sun 1 Bu 6 Rin (3.51cm)
Nakago: 4 Sun 5 Bu (13.78cm)


Atsuta Jinja
Hira-tsukuri, Mitsu-Mune, wide with shallow Sori.
Omote: Kusa - Bamboo
Ura: Umeki Plum Tree
Ko-Itame Hada with thick Ji-Nie.
Notare Gunome-Midare mix in Nioi-Fukashi and Ko-Nie with Sunagashi and Kinsuji.
Midare-Komi Saagari Boshi has Togari with Hakikake and a long fall Kaeri.

Ubu
Kengyo Nakago with -no- Mekugi-ana.

Hono Bishu Atsuta Daimyojin
Ryo Gyosho Sama Hi Mishidasu Oite Bushu Edo Go Tsurugi Saku Go
Mon Yasu Kore Ji Kudasa Hijo Kokuro Echizen Yasutsugu


Yasutsugu
ECHIZEN YASUTSUGU TSUKURU KORE

























Juyo Bunkazai
Yasutsugu Katakiraba

Nagasa: 2 Shaku 2 Sun 9 Bu (69.39cm)
Moto-Haba: 1 Sun (3.03cm)
Nakago: 6 Sun 1 Bu (18.63cm)

Taguchi Ginosuke Family Possession
Shinogi-Tsukuri, Omote with Katakira, Ura. Ihori-Mune, shallow curve to O-Kissaki.
Omote: Bo-Hi-ni-Sobi.
Ura: Futatsu-bi in the upper, Bonji, Rendai and Kuwagata in the mid and Suken Koshi-Hi.
Tight Itame Hada that runs. Masame along the Mune. With Ji-Nie and Chikei.
Omote is Notare Gunome mix to Chu-Suguha in the lower. Ura is Gunome, O-Gunome-Midare  spreading across the Ji in the upper and falling to Chu-Suguha in the lower. Tobi-Yaki, Ara-Nie, Kinsuji and Sunagashi on both sides. Mune-Yaki.
Midare-Komi Boshi has Hakikake and long Kaeri.
Ubu Yamagata Nakago has one Mekugi-ana.

Motte Namban-Tetsu Oite Bushu Edo Echizen Yasutsugu
(Aoi Hollyhock Mon) Keicho Ju Kyunen Hachi Gatsu Kichi Nichi




Juyo Bijutsu-Hin
Yasutsugu Katana

Chikei
 




Juyo Bijutsu-Hin
Yasutsugu Katana
Nagasa: 2 Shaku 4 Sun 5 Bu (74.24cm)
Moto-Haba: 1 Sun 1 Bu (3.33cm)
Nakago: 6 Sun 9 Bu (20.91cm)


  Kurokawa Kobun Ka Kenkyujo
Tokugawa Hollyhock Mon and the Honda Standing Hollyhocks.
Shinogi-Tsukuri, Ihori-Mune, wide, shallow curve to O-Kissaki.
Running Itame Hada has Masame in the Shinogi-Ji. Mura Ji-Nie and Chikei on dark steel.
Powerfully billowing O-Midare Choji Ba fills the Ji. Ashi and Yo find Sunagashi and Tobi-Yaki pulling Kuzure figures apart. Kinsuji in Nioi-Fukashi and Ara-Nie that is Mura.
Hiro-width Midare-Komi Boshi has Togari with long fall.

Ubu Yamagata Nakago has one Mekugi-ana.
(Aoi Mon) Motte Namban Tetsu Oite Bushu Edo Echizen Yasutsugu
Honda Hida-no-Kami Shoji  (Standing Aoi Mon)
Futatsu Do Dan Masse Ken Koreya























Yasutsugu Dambira
Nagasa: 1 Shaku 2 Sun 1 Bu (36.66cm)
Moto-Haba: 9 Bu 6 Rin (2.91cm)
Nakago: 3 Sun 9 Bu (20.6cm)


Ishikura Yasusuke Family Possession

Hira-Tsukuri, Mitsu-Mune, shallow Sori.
A reproduction of Toraki Sadamune Shoto, a gift to Iyeyasu from Nagasaka Sarikuro.
Grass-style Hori.
Omote: Ume Plum Tree.
Ura: Bamboo
Tokugawa Hollyhock Mon and the Honda Standing Hollyhocks.
Ko-Itame Hada with Masame along the Mune. Running Hada has Chikei and profuse Ji-Nie spreading across the Ji.
A wide, tumbling Notare Hamon of Gunome-Midare mix with deep Ashi and Yo in clear and shining Nioi-Fukashi and profuse Ko-Nie. Sunagashi sweeps figures. Mune-Yaki extends into the Ji-Nie from the back.
Midare-Komi Boshi has Tsuki-age Omote and Yaki-Kuzure, Togari turn on Ura.
Long falling Kaeri runs to Mune-Yaki.
Ubu Kengyo Nakago has two Mekugi-ana.

    Motte Namban Tetsu oite Bushu Edo Echizen Yasutsugu
    Honda Hida-no-Kami Narishige Shoji Nai























Yasutsugu Dambira
Nagasa: 1 Shaku 2 Sun 3 Bu (37.27cm)
Moto-Haba: 1 Sun 3 Rin (3.12cm)
Nakago: 3 Sun 5 Bu (10.61cm)


Watanabe Kunitake Family Possession
Another after Toraki Sadamune no Utsushi.
Hira-Tsukuri, Mitsu-Mune, wide with shallow curve.
Bo-Hi both sides
Omote: Raised Vajra Suken.
Ura: Bonji as Kurikara on Vajra Ken.
Itame Hada that runs, and there is thick Ji-Nie.
A billowing Notare has Gunome-Midare Ba with Ashi that is wider in the upper. In clear Nioi-Fukashi and Ko-Nie. Kinsuji all along.
Midare-Komi Boshi has Ko-Maru and long fall Kaeri.

Ubu Kengyo Nakago has two Mekugi-ana. Both have seen many mounts.
    Kokorozashi Sadamune no Utsushi Nanban Gawa
     Echizen-no-Kuni Yasutsugu Honda Hida-no-Kami Shoji Nai
























Juyo Bijutsu-Hin
Yasutsugu Dambira
Nagasa: 1 Shaku 5 Bu (31.82cm)
Moto-Haba: 9 Bu 6 Rin (2.91cm)
Nakago: 3 Sun 8 Bu (11.51cm)


Okano Taromatsu Family Possession
Shinogi-Tsukuri, Mitsu-Mune, wide blade and shallow curve.
Omote: Fudo and two Doji
Ura: ToHi with Kurikara
Very fine Itame Hada with Ji-Nie.
Hiro-Suguha with gentle Asaki-Notare holds Ko-Gunome-Midare with Ashi. In Clear Nioi and Mura Ko-Nie. Sunagashi streams through figures.
Ko-Maru Boshi with Tsuki-age on Ura falling to deep Kaeri and Mune-Yaki.

Ubu Yamagata Nakago has two Mekugi-ana. Top is drilled twice.
    Motte Namban Tetsu oite Bushu Edo
    Echizen Yasutsugu










Yasutsugu Katana
Nagasa: 2 Shaku 4 Sun 8 Bu (75.14cm)
Moto-Haba: 1 Sun 1 Bu (3.33cm)
Nakago: 6 Sun 9 Bu (20.91cm)


Kurokawa Kobun Ka Kenkyujo
Shinogi-Tsukuri, Ihori-Mune, wide blade, hallow curve, O-Kissaki.
Strong Itame Hada with Masame in the Shinogi-Ji Ji-Nie.
High rising Choji Gunome O-Midare Ba with Togari spires and Ashi and Yo. Tobi-yaki and Mune-Yaki abound. In Clear Nioi and Mura-Nie.  Sunagashi brings Nijuba in places.
O-Midare Boshi has Tobi and deep falling Kaeri.

Ubu Yamagata Nakago has one Mekugi-ana. Top is drilled twice.
   (Aoi Mon) Motte Namban Tetsu oite Bushu Edo Echizen Yasutsugu
Futatsu Do Kyudodo
Masse Ken Koreya
Honda Hida-no-Kami Shoji Nai








Yasutsugu Katakiriba
Nagasa: 243/4"

In the Soshu style after Sadamune.
Sugata: Kan-ei 1624 Period
K
atakiriba-Tsukuri, Shinogi-Tsukuri, Ihori-Mune, O-Kissaki
Omote: Vajra and Suken
Ura: Bo-Hi.

Running and defined Itame Hada has Ji-Nie and Chikei.
Asaki-Notare holds Ko-Gunome-Midare Ba of Hataraki with Sunagashi
Ubu Nakago has one Mekugi-ana

Kinzogan: "Yasutsugu"





























Yasutsugu Katakiriba
Nagasa: 2 Shaku 3 Sun (69.69cm)
Moto-Haba: 9 Bu 8 Rin (2.97cm)
Nakago: 6 Sun 3 Bu (19.09cm)


Fukuda Akira Family Possession
The 2nd Yasutsugu
Shinogi-Tsukuri, Kiriba-Tsukuri, Ihori-Mune, wide blade,  shallow Sori to elongated Chu-Kissaki.
Omote: Bo-Hi-ni-Subi, Bonji and Suken
Ura: Futatsu-Hi, Bonji Rendai and Kuwagata, and Suken in the Koshimoto.
Strongly standing Itame Hada has Ji-Nie.
O-Midare with Gunome and Tobi-Yaki sread across the Ji. Sunagashi sweeps billowing figures, Nie becomes Ara and Kinsuji insists all along.

Omote Boshi is Ichimae where Ura is very full, Saagari with Tobi-Yaki and Tsuki-age
turn to deeply falling Kaeri.
Suriage Kirijiri Nakago has one Mekugi-ana.
(Aoi Mon) Motte Namban Tetsu Echizen Yasutsugu
Kinzogan: Ataki Utsushi - Daiogesa Dan















































Courtesy and Permissions Dr Tokuno Kazuo

Yasutsugu
Nagasa: 2 Shaku 4 Sun 9 Bu 5 Rin (75.62cm)
Moto-Haba: 1 Sun 1 Bu 7 Rin (3.43cm)
Nakago: 7 Sun 1 Bu 5 Rin (21.65cm)


2nd Yasutsugu
Shinogi-Tsukuri, Ihori-Mune, Shinogi-taka raised to Chu-Kissaki.
Bo-Hi both sides, Maru-Dome resolve.
Strongly standing Itame and Mokume Hada Ji-Nie, has O-Hada.
Ko-Nie Deki and clear Nioi Hiro-Suguha on a gentle Asaki-Notare roll. Hamon has Ko-Gunome with Ashi within.
Sugu Komaru Boshi with small Kaeri.

Ubu Kengyo Nakago has two Mekugi-ana.
   Motte Namban Tetsu Oite Bushu Edo Echizen Yasutsugu










Yasutsugu Wakizashi
The 3nd Edo Yasutsugu
Shinogi-Tsukuri, Kiriba-Tsukuri, Ihori-Mune, wide blade,  shallow Sori to Chu-Kissaki
Standing and running Itame Mokume Hada has Ji-Nie.
Evenly matching Toran Ba style O-Midare Ba with striating Nie Sunagashi sweeping figures. Nie becomes Ara and there is Kinsuji.
Saagari
Hakikake Boshi.
Ubu Kengyo Nakago has one Mekugi-ana.
(Aoi Mon) Yasutsugu Motte Namban Tetsu
          Oite Bushu Edo Saku Kore (Lotus Kore)






Omi-no-Kami Tsuguhira Uchigatana
Work of the 3rd Tsuguhira
Shinogi-Tsukuri, Ihori-Mune, Chgu-Kissaki.
Tightly Knit Itame Hada has Ji-Nie.
Hiro-Sugu Asaki-Notare ofd Ko-Gunome-Midare Kuzure Ba
with Sunagashi and Hotsure striating.
In Nioi-Fukashi and Powder Ko-Nie.
Ubu Kurijiri Nakago has one Mekugi-ana.


Fujita Omi-no-Kami Fujiwara Tsuguhira

Meiwa Ni-nen Haru Kichi-Nichi
"Lucky Spring-day"1765