Katsumitsu is one of the representative swordsmiths of the school in Province during the late period, belonging to the group commonly referred to as . The most celebrated bearer of this name, Jirozaemon no Jo Katsumitsu, is transmitted as the son of Ukyo no Katsumitsu, and as the father of Shuri no Katsumitsu and Jirobei no Jo Harumitsu. His active forging period extends roughly from the Meio era through Kyoroku (ca. 1490s–1530s). Alongside contemporaries such as Yosaburozaemon no Jo Sukesada and Gorozaemon no Jo Kiyomitsu, he stands as one of the foremost makers of the group. Joint works () with his uncle Sakyo no Munemitsu are frequently encountered and have long been treasured; such collaborative pieces are known as " joint works." Rarer still is a three-smith collaboration also including Hikobei Tadamitsu. Several generations and multiple smiths signed the name Katsumitsu during this period, and questions of attribution among them remain subjects requiring further study.
In workmanship, smiths as a whole favor a or "double-structured" () as the principal motif of their . Within this convention, Katsumitsu displays a distinctive individuality: he particularly excels at achieving a more splendid and flamboyant effect by intermixing abundant within the , producing a richly varied and decorative temper line. The tends toward tightness with well-adhering , and fine and frequently appear within the temper. His forging typically shows tightly knit with fine and conspicuous . At the time, he was highly skilled at producing works of quiet dignity, demonstrating versatility across both flamboyant and restrained modes. His blades characteristically take the form of the late period — somewhat compact in overall length, with , thick , and a short tang suited to one-handed use. on both sides, including formal , , and devotional inscriptions of shinbutsu names, are characteristic of work of this period and are often found on his blades.
Katsumitsu occupies a position of singular importance among the smiths. His works consistently display bright and clear and , with a level of workmanship that is repeatedly described as outstanding. The richness and complexity of his — in which elements stand out conspicuously amid the — sets him apart from other makers of the group and reveals a strongly individual artistic character. His joint works with Munemitsu constitute important material for understanding the genealogies and workshop relationships of the group, and inscriptions on several pieces have prompted reexamination of previously accepted lineage traditions. Made-to-order pieces (chumon-uchi) bearing ownership inscriptions and devotional carvings further attest to the high esteem in which his work was held by contemporary patrons, distinguishing these commissions from the mass-produced kazuuchi-mono of the period.