Rinsan

Hi You may already know but the story depicted on the tsuba is the "Plum tree of Amagasaki". The most popular version is that Yoshitsune ordered Benkei to write a notice for a plum tree he saw in Amagasaki which read, "Even in Kuan (a Chinese province noted for its plum trees) could not be found such a tree; ....... if a robber breaks a twig of it he shall forfeit one of fingers as a penalty". I've missed a bit of the notice but you can find the full text in Jolie's "Legend in Japanese Art" page 587. The notice makes a pun on branch and finger, both are 'isshi'. I often find the the stories depicted on tsuba fascinating. Keith

Hi everyone For those who struggled to translate the mei, see attached file. The Sword Museum in Tokyo has confirmed that it reads Tsuguhita. Keith

Hi The Token Society website is http://www.to-ken.com. The information you need is in the articles section. Keith

Hi, I agree Tadayuki. You can also cross check using Clive Sinclair's kanji pages on the British Token Society site in the article section. Keith

Hi There are copies for sale on the ABE Books website. Keith

Hi I'm attaching tsuna kanji from Robinson's book for comparison. Hope it will help.

Hi I had a thought that perhaps if you could see the tsuba design it might give a clue to its maker

Hi everyone I seem to be hitting a bad streak translating mei for tsuba. I have another even more difficult one for everyone to have a go at. I hope someone out there can translate this mei. Thanks

Hi Thanks everyone Toehshi seems to be the concensus view. So thanks again

Thanks for the help. Could it also be Momoenshi? I have looked at the first kanji again and thought it might read Momo. Any thoughts?

Can anyone complete the translation of this Masahide hikone bori tetsu tsuba please? The first kanji of the mei has me completely baffled. Jolie's "Shosankenshu" was no help in this case