Kawachi no Kami Motoyuki

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Born in Bungo, this smith claimed descent from Yukihira, the early swordsmith of that province, and in his first years signed Yukiharu and then Yukihira. Holding the title Kawachi no Kami, he settled in Karatsu in Hizen during the Enpō era (1673-1681) and spent most of his working life there. In the Genroku era he stayed for a time in Edo, studying under Tsunahiro of the Sagami tradition, before returning to Karatsu. Tradition holds that the character 本 (moto) in his name was granted to him by the Hon'ami family; because he wrote it in a form resembling a pine needle, he is known as Matsuba Motoyuki (松葉本行). He signed Hishū Karatsu-jū Kawachi no Kami Minamoto Motoyuki (肥州唐津住河内守源本行), sometimes adding Takada, the name of the Bungo school he came from. Blades dated in the Genroku era are known. His signature also appears on tsuba: the Edo-Tokyo Museum holds one with a mokume design.