Chikushu Fukuoka Ju Moritsugu - 筑州福岡住守次

Moritsugu(守次) was a skilled swordsmith of the Kuroda clan(黒田藩) during the Enpō era. Alongside Koretsugu(是次) (his teacher and also his cousin), he represented the Fukuoka Ishidō school (福岡石堂派, known as one of the leading schools of Chikuzen Shintō-筑前新刀- swords). He passed away at the age of 69 on May 6th, the 14th year of Genroku(元禄) era. He used various inscriptions on his blades, such as  "Chikuzen no Kuni-jū Moritsugu," "Chikuzen Fukuoka-jū Moritsugu," "Chikuzen no kuni Gonsaemon-jō Moritsugu," and "Chikuzen no Kuni Fukuoka-jū Hanzaemon-jō Moritsugu, at the age of 67." His works are dated from the Enpō 3rd and 4th years to Tenwa(天和) 4th year and Genroku 13th year. The Fukuoka Ishidō school's works often exhibit a relatively deep curvature, and this characteristic can also be observed in Moritsugu's works. Moritsugu is particularly known for his unique choji hamon, which is referred to as the "head of a squid."