© By: David E. J. Pepin

    Sukenao served his apprenticeship in the workshop of Sukehiro I, and soon became the student of Sukehiro II. Sukehiro II, recognizing Sukenao's extraordinary talent, placed him in the position of foremost student. Sukehiro II had other students: Hiromasa, Suketaka, and Sukemune, to name a few. However, Sukenao was the only one who was able to step forth from the aura of fame surrounding his sensei, and be recognized for his own ability. It was during these years that he presumably married the young sister of Sukehiro II. It is also apparent that he was regarded as more of a son than a son-in-law, thus the theory was formed that he may have been the adopted son of Sukehiro I. Sukenao used the surname of Sukehiro "Tsuda," indicating a very close bond between them.

Sukehiro II, was summoned to Osaka Castle (see photo) in kanbun 6 (1666) to serve as master swordsmith for the Daimyo Aoyama Inaba-no-Kami, the "HANJI" (chief magistrate or judge) of the castle. It was from this time that his techniques, and the refinement of his work's rapidly progressed. It was in Enpo that he changed the style of his kanji from kaku (square) to maru (rounded). This is significant because, it is believed that Sukenao joined him at the castle. This is indicated by the the fact that, in Enpo 3rd Sukenao first used the surname "Tsuda". It was not seen for the next 7 year's. I believe he did so to distinguish the blade's he solely produced from those made with sukehiro, at osaka castle. It was also at this time that he moved in close proximity to the castle.
 

Sukenao produced this blade in 1683, during the reign of the 5^th Shogun “TOKUGAWA TSUNAYOSHI”, ruler of Osaka Castle from 1680 to 1709. TSUNAYOSHI O-SAMA, was known as the “Dog Shogun”, as he was obsessed with the protection of animals, practically dogs! This could have well been the first “Save the animals” campaign in the history of Japan.