Bugyotsuji

Although I have spent much more time in Western Japan where they still carry the bitter legacy of Sekigahara, recently I began to warm to the Tokugawa, particularly after watching NHK’s Taiga Drama, “Dō Suru, Ieyasu?” Somehow it feels strange to hear the line is ending. I had heard there was a very strong family support group or society in Mito. There must have been some strong impulse behind this. I have also heard of other clans’ residual members still in existence here and there, e.g. Date, Tanegashima, Hosokawa immediately spring to mind.

Many Japanese will choose to read some names ‘wrongly’ however, in order to immediately bring up a certain unusual character in another person’s mind. Thus, if you say ‘ Shige-‘ something, the other person may immediately ask ‘Which Shige-?’ You might answer ‘Shizuka no Shige’. To shorten the Q&A back and forth it often helps in conversation.

The reading Shigetomo is used by the 日本刀銘鑑; they do not offer 'Shizu' there for these Takada/Iga smiths.

Hi Colin, have you committed to buying this wakizashi, whether it is legit or gimei (falsified signature)?

Nope, can't be certain, but it's a good idea Colin! They are said to enjoy cucumbers, but what is he eating?

He was a genius. Many gimei around!

Sadly behind a paywall…

At the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park. 4/14-6/7 https://tsumugu.yomiuri.co.jp/kagamaedake2026/

Those barrels are both the same, originally matchlock but subsequently converted to percussion cap firing system. The flintlock is a Western-style pistol. Some of these were made in Japan though, of varying quality, and do occasionally crop up. Very much the exception.

Basara? Who are they? Unable to find any teppo, so cannot comment.

Good spot, Steve! 　And the Eto zodiac years match too. (The writing styles are very different though, even only one year apart.)

The kusazuri are detachable, which was an Edo period evolutionary feature.

文政元年、文正二年 Bunsei 1 and Bunshō 2, but the second date mistakenly(???) uses a different character…

Showed this to a Kinkō artisan today. He thinks the shinchū insert is later Edo work as the carving style is quite different, and that the iron mimi fukurin rim was heated (熱処理, netsu shori)and slipped over to hold the two facet sections together.

Generally it's a big no-no to clean these unprofessionally as the patina will often contain vital clues as to age.

There were several Mitsunaga with these characters 光長. The only very faint connection I can find so far, and it could well be a simple coincidence, is a Kyoto metalwork artisan during Anei (late 1700s) who lived in a small street called (藤の辻子). That uses the same kanji as Tsuji on the left.　 On the other hand we always need to keep open the possibility of gimei.

Chris, SteveM above has said he reckons that it's 光長 Mitsunaga on the right, a name. There seems to be a Kao following that name too. The question for me is why two different people have signed it, each with their own kao. A joint work?

Wow, fine work, so there are others out there! Thanks Dale!

Too many incoming rounds! Duck!!! Fantastic stuff guys, the NMB Detective Agency. Here’s the answer… shinchū set somehow within the iron mimi. 7.75 x 7.0 x 0.55 cm

OK guys, I was not expecting this! A further hint for all three of you!!!

Dang, Colin and Jean, you must have x-ray eyes. Yes, you are asking the right questions, although the answer is a little different.

The image is fuzzy yes, partly to keep folks guessing! Your answer is very welcome, Grev. Your assumption of iron is half correct. Agreed on the Kozuka lining being a later addition; it looks bright, with no patina. Finally, I do think you will be surprised by the answer. Oh, there are faint traces of some gold zogan on features here and there…

There is something unusual about this Namban. Would anyone like to venture a guess? (Hint. The answer is not obvious in this first photo.)

A lovely package! (I am sure Nobody meant to type 'Morimasa' above.)

Hi Chris, Tsuji Motochika (plus kao) would seem to be correct. Nice fuchi!