Hikoshiro Hiromitsu
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Hikoshirō Sadamune (born Einin
6, 1298; died Shōhei
4, 1349) also called Sōshū Sadamune was a swordsmith of the Sōshū school, originally from Gōshū (also known as Ōmi province
) whose works are considered some of the finest blades ever created. His works are often compared with those of the other great Koto era (987-1596) swordsmiths including Sōshū Masamune, Bizen Nagamitsu, and Ike Muramasa. He was a son by blood or adoption of Sōshū Masamune considered by many to be the most famous of the Sōshū masters.
After leaving Gōshū province to go to what is now Kanagawa Prefecture
, Sadamune became a student of Masamune
, sometime around the Namboku-chō era. As a mark of his completion of his teacher's training he inherited the mune part of his name Sadamune from Masamune. Sadamune was not one of the Great Juttetsu trained by Masamune, but his works were regarded to be of the same level as his master's.
images carved into the blades, and Takagi Sadamune (江州□住貞宗 - goshu takaki ju Sadamune).
A great debate exists in the academic community about Takagi Sadamune. It is uncertain if Takagi Sadamune is simply Sōshū Sadamune after he returned to his home region, a son of his or someone who he taught sword making. The swords of Takagi Sadamune are not considered to be as high a quality as those produced by Sōshū Sadamune but are still of exceptional skill.
One signed copy of his work exists: a tantō
blade, formerly owned by Toyotomi Hideyoshi
. The work signed Gōshū Takagi ju Sadamune is said to have been made when Sōshū Sadamune returned home to Takagi in Gōshū province. Legend says he returned home to produce a copy of a famous sword called the Ropecutter.
He also trained Kanro Toshinaga who is believed to have worked in Echigo province
in the Nanboku-chō period.
Higo Munekage (Higo No-Kuni Kumamoto-Kishi, Hagi Jiemon No-Sho Fujiwara Munekage Saku) who was a student of Suishinshi Masahide takes a great influence from Sadamune in his work, but wasn't a student of his.Higo Munekage Katana
Kokon Mei Zukushi and other books listing Japanese sword smiths and blades list Motoshige as a student of Sadamune however Dr. Honma Junji disagrees with this in his book Nihon Koto Shi (History of Koto) By Dr. Honma Junji
Einin
was a after Shōō and before Shōan. This period spanned the years from August 1293 through April 1299. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* 1298 : The new era name was created to mark an event or a number of events...
6, 1298; died Shōhei
Shohei
was a Japanese era name of the Southern Court during the Era of Northern and Southern Courts after Kōkoku and before Kentoku. This period spanned the years from December 1346 to July 1370. The Southern Court emperors in Yoshino were and...
4, 1349) also called Sōshū Sadamune was a swordsmith of the Sōshū school, originally from Gōshū (also known as Ōmi province
Omi Province
is an old province of Japan, which today comprises Shiga Prefecture. It was one of the provinces that made up the Tōsandō circuit. It is nicknamed as .Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, is located at the center of the province...
) whose works are considered some of the finest blades ever created. His works are often compared with those of the other great Koto era (987-1596) swordsmiths including Sōshū Masamune, Bizen Nagamitsu, and Ike Muramasa. He was a son by blood or adoption of Sōshū Masamune considered by many to be the most famous of the Sōshū masters.
After leaving Gōshū province to go to what is now Kanagawa Prefecture
Kanagawa Prefecture
is a prefecture located in the southern Kantō region of Japan. The capital is Yokohama. Kanagawa is part of the Greater Tokyo Area.-History:The prefecture has some archaeological sites going back to the Jōmon period...
, Sadamune became a student of Masamune
Masamune
, also known as , is widely recognized as Japan's greatest swordsmith. As no exact dates are known for Masamune's life, he has reached an almost legendary status. It is generally agreed that he made most of his swords in the late 13th and early 14th centuries, 1288–1328. He created swords, known as...
, sometime around the Namboku-chō era. As a mark of his completion of his teacher's training he inherited the mune part of his name Sadamune from Masamune. Sadamune was not one of the Great Juttetsu trained by Masamune, but his works were regarded to be of the same level as his master's.
Students
Sōshū Sadamune is believed at the present time to have trained four students Nobukuni (信国) who formed a long lineage of swordsmiths under the same name, Nobukuni famous for his horimonoHorimono
Horimono is a word used to describe irezumi or to describe the carving of images into a sword blade.-Irezumi:...
images carved into the blades, and Takagi Sadamune (江州□住貞宗 - goshu takaki ju Sadamune).
A great debate exists in the academic community about Takagi Sadamune. It is uncertain if Takagi Sadamune is simply Sōshū Sadamune after he returned to his home region, a son of his or someone who he taught sword making. The swords of Takagi Sadamune are not considered to be as high a quality as those produced by Sōshū Sadamune but are still of exceptional skill.
One signed copy of his work exists: a tantō
Tanto
A is one of the traditional Japanese swords that were worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan. The tantō dates to the Heian period, when it was mainly used as a weapon but evolved in design over the years to become more ornate...
blade, formerly owned by Toyotomi Hideyoshi
Toyotomi Hideyoshi
was a daimyo warrior, general and politician of the Sengoku period. He unified the political factions of Japan. He succeeded his former liege lord, Oda Nobunaga, and brought an end to the Sengoku period. The period of his rule is often called the Momoyama period, named after Hideyoshi's castle...
. The work signed Gōshū Takagi ju Sadamune is said to have been made when Sōshū Sadamune returned home to Takagi in Gōshū province. Legend says he returned home to produce a copy of a famous sword called the Ropecutter.
He also trained Kanro Toshinaga who is believed to have worked in Echigo province
Echigo Province
was an old province in north-central Japan, on the shores of the Sea of Japan. It was sometimes called , with Echizen and Etchū Provinces. Today the area is part of Niigata Prefecture, which also includes the island which was the old Sado Province. This province was the northernmost part of the...
in the Nanboku-chō period.
Higo Munekage (Higo No-Kuni Kumamoto-Kishi, Hagi Jiemon No-Sho Fujiwara Munekage Saku) who was a student of Suishinshi Masahide takes a great influence from Sadamune in his work, but wasn't a student of his.Higo Munekage Katana
Kokon Mei Zukushi and other books listing Japanese sword smiths and blades list Motoshige as a student of Sadamune however Dr. Honma Junji disagrees with this in his book Nihon Koto Shi (History of Koto) By Dr. Honma Junji