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Etchū Norishige
Japanese swordsmith / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Etchū Norishige (則重; 1290–1366) was a Japanese swordsmith of the late Kamakura period. He was a contemporary and possibly a pupil of Masamune.[1] His swords are noted for their distinct matsukawa hada 松皮肌 (pine bark grain).[2] [3] One of his works is classified as Kokuho (National Treasures) by the Ministry of Culture, the highest classification for a sword.[2]
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Norishige is regarded as one of the greatest Japanese swordsmiths in history.[4] In the 14th century, he had a forge in the fief of Nei, present-day Toyama Prefecture.[4] He made and supplied the finest katana to samurai in the Kamakura period.[4]