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Japanese Swordsmith

Updated: 19 Mar 2024

Sign Name Explanation
Kanenaga
包永
Tegaikanenaga
手掻包永
He is known as a master craftsman representing Yamatoden. His sword was used by monks who guarded temples and shrines. That is why the sword has a simple structure and is preferred by people who like Japanese swords.
Kanesada
兼定
Izuminokamikanesada
和泉守兼定
He is known as a master craftsman representing Minoden as well as Magorokukanemoto. The sword made by Kanemoto(2nd generation) became the favorite sword of many Sengoku warlords such as Akechi Mitsuhide. The sword was evaluated as the finest in the Edo period.
Kanemoto
兼元
Magorokukanemoto
孫六兼元
He is known as a master craftsman representing Minoden as well as Izuminokamikanesada. Kanemoto’s blade crest, called Magoroku of Seki, was beautiful and sharp, and has attracted many samurai.
Kiyomaro
清麿
Minamotokiyomaro
源清麿
He is known as a genius masterpiece wrapped in a mystery representing the late Edo period. His free and turbulent life, which is written in many historical novels, is popular.
Kotetsu
虎徹
Nagasoneokisatokotetsunyudo
長曽祢興里虎徹入道
He is known as a master craftsman who has created the most powerful, practical and strong sword. He has been making armor since ancient times, and started making swords when he was 50 years old. It was used by many Bakumatsu samurai.
Nagamitsu
長光
Osahunenagamitsu
長船長光
He is known as the master craftsman who produced the most swords designated as cultural assets. His sword was loved by Uesugi Kenshin and Oda Nobunaga. Having a Nagamitsu’s sword was also a testament to the champion.
Hankei
繁慶
Nodahankei
野田繁慶
He is known as a master craft as much as Kotetsu. He has been making gun since ancient times, and created a sword that was mistaken for Masamune, the founder of blacksmith.
Masakuni
正国
Doutanukimasakuni
同田貫正国
His sword doesn’t break and doesn’t bend, and is known as a master craftsman who created a sword that penetrated the helmet of an enemy soldier. Unlike the gift swords made by Masamune and Nagamitsu,the figure of the actual battle is popular with “Lone Wolf and Cub”.
Masahide
正秀
Suishinshimasahide
水心子正秀
He is known as a master craftsman who revived ancient forging techniques and raised many excellent disciples. He lamented the decline of Japanese sword technology in a peaceful world. He became the founder of a sword(Shinshinto) that disclosed technology and emphasized practical use.
Masamune
正宗
Okazakigoronyudomasamune
岡崎五郎入道正宗
He is known as the ancestor of blacksmiths who created the sword as a reward for samurai and the best sword as a gift. 9 swords is designated National Treasure in Japan. The fact that his name is not written on his sword is a sign of confidence that it will not be mistaken for other swords without his name.
Munechika
宗近
Sanjyokokazimunechika
三条小鍛冶宗近
He is known as a master craftsman who pursues a sword that is more warp than a real battle, such as a slender blade with high curve. His representative work, Mikadukimunechika, was handed down to the Tokugawa Shogunate from generation to generation and is said to have been used by Minamoto Yoshitsune.
Muramasa
村正
Sengomuramasa
千子村正
He is known as the master who created the cursed sword. But the story was fiction, his sword was cheap and easy to use and used in many fights.
Yasutsugu
康継
Echizenyasutsugu
越前康継
He was an unnamed blacksmith. However, the Tokugawa Shogunate recognized the technology and is known as a dedicated master craftsman. He is said to be the founder of Edo Shinto swords, and revived many of the famous swords burned in war.
Yoshimitsu
吉光
Awataguchitoushiroyoshimitsu
粟田口藤四郎吉光
He is also known as Toshiro, and is known as a master craftsman who has created many swords used by many samurai for slashing. Counted by Masamune and Yoshihiro as well as Big 3, Toshiro’s short sword was rated as the finest.
Yoshihiro
義弘
Gounoyoshihiro
郷義弘
Because he died early, there are few swords, and all have no names. However, the sword’s beauty is at his first glance, and it surpasses that of Masamune’s sword. He is a mysterious swordsman, so rare that it is said that “I have never seen him and his monsters.”
Kaboku
加卜
Omurakaboku
大村加卜
He was a doctor, but he is known as a swordsmith with blacksmithing skills. He makes not only surgical tools but also swords, and he only makes 100, so it is rare.