Akihiro
秋広 (Akihiro)
A Sagami master of the mid-Nanbokuchō period, of the generation after Masamune; together with Hiromitsu he is credited with hitatsura.
Profile
Akihiro is, with Hiromitsu, the great Sagami name in the generation after Masamune and Sadamune, in the Nanbokuchō period. The two are credited with hitatsura, the nie temper that spreads over the whole blade. Unlike the earlier Sagami smiths, he dated his blades: the known ones run from 1357 to 1387 according to the NBTHK, or to 1392 according to the Kyoto National Museum. His blades are almost always short, under one shaku, in an itame steel with mokume, abundant ji-nie and chikei, and nearly all carry engravings, such as bonji or twin grooves. A tantō of his from 1376, in the Kyoto National Museum, is an Important Cultural Property.
Monograph
Akihiro (秋広)
Who Akihiro was, in a profile and a summary, with what is documented kept apart from tradition.
Read the monograph