Masamune is known as the most eminent swordsmith in the history of Japanese swords. This sword’s various distinctive characteristics include the jigane with numerous chikei (linear blackish luster) patterns; a bright, clear hamon in nie-deki (made with large, rough iron particles) with midare-deki (irregularity); and a kinsuji (broad, light-colored nie line) within the ha (blade). It was swords with this sense of style that elevated these weapons into works of art.
