Yoshindo Yoshihara (1943) is a Japanese swordsmith based in Tokyo. His family have made swords for ten generations, and he himself learned the art from his grandfather, Yoshihara Kuniie.[1] Yoshindo himself gained his licence as a smith in 1965.[2]
Yoshihara uses traditional techniques in his work, and uses tamahagane steel.[3] Until 1970 he produced swords primarily in the Soshu tradition of Masamune, but switched in the 1970s to creating swords in the Bizen style.[1]
Yoshihara has trained nine apprentices, including his son Yoshikazu who was to take over the business but his son died unexpectedly.[1] [4]