Saburo Kaneuji is one of the most celebrated swordsmiths of the late to early period, counted from ancient times among the Masamune Juttetsu -- the Ten Great Disciples of Masamune -- and within that exalted circle regarded as one of the smiths whose manner most closely approaches Masamune's own style. Before settling at in Tagi District of Province, Kaneuji belonged to the line of Yamato Province and signed with the characters Kanetsugu. Works from this earlier Yamato residency, as well as those by successors who continued the Kanetsugu name in Yamato, are designated under the broader attribution "Yamato ." Kaneuji's period of activity can be inferred from a dated blade by his transmitted student Kanetsugu bearing a Ko'o 1 (1350) inscription, placing the master's working life across the final decades of the era into the early period. The frequent exchange between and Yamato smiths during this era is understood to have had a substantial impact on the stylistic formation of workmanship.
Kaneuji's forging characteristically displays mixed with and , at times exhibiting a -inclined tendency that reveals his Yamato origins. Fine adheres thickly throughout, with abundant entering conspicuously; the steel is noted for being clear and bright, occasionally showing . His typically takes a shallow or as its foundation, mixed with , , and , with the frequently linking and running together in a manner recognized as a habitual mannerism of this smith. The is characteristically deep, and adheres well -- at times coarsely, at times in rounded, brilliantly sparkling formations -- while , , , , and provide vigorous activity along the . The bosshi is typically or tends toward , with that in its most pronounced examples assumes a flame-like () appearance, often turning back in or with a shallow return. These features, taken together, distinguish Kaneuji from smiths working in itself while placing him firmly within the highest echelon of the tradition.
The consistently identifies Kaneuji's work as that of a superior master in the tradition, employing the assessment - josaku and noting that both and display a bright and clear character described as . Works by this smith are praised for their vigorous and compelling presence, with the finest examples termed -- the very finest level among attributions to this smith. His blades are recognized at a glance as belonging to the domain of the upper-level masters, yet they are distinguished by the Yamato temperament (Yamato kishitsu) detectable in the forging and bosshi treatment. The further observes that signed works by Kaneuji are comparatively few, and that certain blades originally appraised as Masamune or Sadamune have upon closer study been reattributed to . Whether in powerfully built works with wide and projecting the period character of the era, or in examples of comparatively calm workmanship, Kaneuji's oeuvre is unified by the exceptional brilliance of the and the subtle fascination produced by the interplay of throughout both and .