Moritsugu is a name of distinguished lineage within the school of Province, a group that flourished from the late period through the era and produced many capable smiths. He is traditionally identified as the son of Yasutsugu, who is regarded as the founder of the lineage; however, sword-signature reference works cite multiple smiths bearing the name even among the group, and the name was subsequently inherited across generations. Accordingly, there exist works appraised as belonging to the end of the period as well as examples bearing production dates from the Bunwa and Enbun eras in the mid- period. The later Moritsugu, working in the so-called Mi- phase, is recognized as the final bearer of the name who brought this prestigious tradition to its close.
Moritsugu's display a powerful overall form — wide with little difference between base and tip, thick , pronounced , high with , and — characteristics that clearly reflect the Kenmu era. The forging shows mixed with , with a finely standing grain; adheres throughout, fine enter, and a somewhat faint appears. His is fundamentally mixed with and ; the tends toward tightness with , and fine appear. In , the work becomes largely , and two distinct approaches are observed: a traditional and a splendid - not previously encountered in the school. such as carved through and in relief further distinguish certain pieces.
The manner in which a bright, tightly formed is tempered, producing a deep -ai — a "salt-like" depth in the appearance of the hardened edge — is described as superb, allowing one to perceive the high technical ability of Moritsugu. Extant works from the late through early period are rare, and signed examples possess high documentary value as material for the study of both the smith and the school. That the signature on one celebrated is executed in exactly the hand as the Uesugi family's Important Cultural Property known as the Rinpo further attests to his place within this venerable tradition.