Masaaki lives in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture, and his real name is Ken Yoshida. His father was also a swordsmith named Masaaki I. He first learned sword making from his father, and then apprenticed himself to his uncle, Kanemasa. After Kanemasa passed away, he changed his name to "Naoe Kanekyu. His work has been highly acclaimed and has been selected and awarded many times at the New Sword Master Exhibition.

This sword was made in the summer of 2008 and is a beautiful piece with no flaws.
The jitetsu is itame with some chikei in places. The hamon is gently midare with nie. Tama and chodziasi are also seen on the hachu, making it a very interesting hamon. The kissaki is slightly larger and the boshi is Komaru ni Kaeru.

The tsuka is wrapped with black leather cord and is very comfortable to hold. The balance is very good, making it ideal as a bat or test cutting sword.

• Blade length: 73.1 cm
• Curvature: 1.6 cm
• Number of Mekugi hole: 2
• Sakihaba: 24.5 mm
• Sakikasane: 4.9 mm
• Motohaba: 34.5 mm
• Motokasane: 5.2 mm
• Signature: Noshu ju Masaaki Kore wo Tsukuru(front), Hesei Tsuchinoene-doshi Natsubi(back)
• Era: Gendai
• Structure: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune
• Jitetsu: Itame
• Hamon: Midare with Choji-ashi
• Boshi: Komaru
• Weight(without Saya): 1,230 g
• Nakago: Ubu
• Original Registration No.: Gifu 78848