Moritsugu (守次) is traditionally recorded as the son of Yasutsugu, who is regarded as the founder of the school of Province. The name Moritsugu was transmitted across multiple generations, from the early period through the era, and sword reference works acknowledge several craftsmen bearing the name even within the lineage. Among extant signed works appraised as , the forms of the comprise distinct types: examples cut with a powerful stroke in thick chiseling and in an almost block-script style; examples in a semi-cursive style (gyosho) with strong chisel impressions incorporating ; and examples in a flowing cursive script (sosho) cut with a smooth, glossy manner. The former type appears to go back slightly further in time.
The characteristic workmanship of Moritsugu centers on a well-forged mixed with abundant , in which the grain tends to stand. Exceedingly fine adheres thickly, bold appear profusely, and a -like cast rises across the surface, sometimes developing into . The presence of is noted in several examples. The temper line is fundamentally , at times carrying a shallow tendency, mixed with and ; the is tight in feeling with attached, and fine and enter. One observes that the is notably bright. The bosshi typically runs straight, forming or tending toward . Importantly, while smiths as a rule signed on the , Moritsugu is an exception, signing on the .
The consistently praises the deep, tide-like appearance (-ai) found in Moritsugu's work as especially admirable, a dense visual effect prized in production. Works preserving an form with classical and are noted for possessing a high sense of dignity. Extant works from the earlier generations are acknowledged as rare, lending them exceptional documentary value as source material for the study of the school. The quiet refinement of the temper, combined with a bright and richly varied internal activity, clearly demonstrates the high technical level maintained across this lineage.
