Three Tsuba Mei

[CrimpSoup86]

Good evening everyone,

 

Once again I would appreciate the assistance of the members of the forum in deciphering three mei from our museum's tsuba collection. Any suggestions on possible craft school would also be appreciated. The three links below will direct you to the images, and I have included information that I have gathered when applicable:

 

 

Tsuba 1: This Rakan Panthaka motif (Joly pg. 109) tsuba is signed "Monichisai, Masugane-sei" (門市_, 益金製) I have consulted the Haynes index and could not find anything for "Monichisai", which suggests to me this name might be an appellation? I have not been able to find any information on the locale "Masugane".

http://www.flickr.com/photos/93588542@N ... hotostream

Tsuba 2: Though it is hard to see, this tsuba depicts a sennyo. The signature was designated as "Yamashiro (no) kuni, ___", "Kanesada". Might this be from the Joshu school of Kaneiye? The Kanesada I believe this tsuba was made by is H. 02526.0 in the Haynes index, though I would appreciate any suggestions otherwise as the kanji appears abstract to my eyes. Also, any help in deciphering the last two kanji on the right of the nakago-ana would be a great help.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/93588542@N ... hotostream

 

Tsuba 3: This final tsuba we have little information on. The first kanji specifically looks problematic to me. This tsuba was originally designated as Yoshitsune fighting on the Gojo Bridge, but feel free to critique that interpretation.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/93588542@N ... hotostream

 

 

Once again, thanks in advance for any assistance. Everyone's thoughts are a lot of help to this museum worker at a University with zero Asian art/culture specialists to consult for advice!

 

-Kyle

[Ludolf Richter]

Tsuba 2: I do have a pic in my database.Ludolf

[CrimpSoup86]

Thanks for the comparison image Ludolf. The mei looks spot on between the two--it's always nice to learn that a piece is most likely legitimate. I take it Fujiwara refers to the clan, and not a specific locale within Yamashiro?

 

Also, I take it the other two examples weren't familiar to you? The kanji in the case of Tsuba 1 are so clearly marked, but the maker wasn't in the Haynes index. Surely this isn't a tsuba by an unknown maker? I wonder if I should toy with alternate pronunciations...

 

-Kyle

[John A Stuart]

Tsuba 1- I checked for Masukane and for Ekigon, etc. I suspect Masukane is likely. The nanori Eki was extant in Goto family, eg. Ekijo, however this is not Goto work. Just can't find this artist.

Tsuba 2- I may be bananas, but, can't find an artist starting with 芭 either, that is if I read aright. John

[Ludolf Richter]

Tsuba 3 probably reads Kaneshige :from the Hoan-guys ? I have only examples with the "normal" Kane-character!

I could not find a match for the Mei of Tsuba 1:no Masukane/Ekikane/Yakukane/Norikane/Arikane/Mashikane/Mitsukane.I don't have the CD for the Haynes Index:maybe another member with the CD could search for "Monichisai",if that search-feature is possible.Ludolf

[CrimpSoup86]

Continued thanks for all the help.

 

Tsuba 1: This tsuba appears to be a conundrum, which is unfortunate because I wanted to include it in our museum's portfolio. While I have almost given up on trying to crack this one, it still bugs me nonetheless. That being said, would anyone be able to provide the kanji for "sai"? I can't figure out the markings below the "aka" radical. (That is, if that is the correct pronunciation. This was translated previously and doesn't match the "sai" in our other listings)

 

Tsuba 3: You might just be bananas, John! :lol: With the ”ha/ba" character in mind, I could not find anything for the "Hashige/Bashige", "Hachou/Bachou", "Hasane/Basane", "Hajuu/Bajuu", "Haomo/Baomo", etc... The collector who owned the tsuba previously thought the character was comprised of the "ka" (katana) radical above the "ha" radical. I can't find a kanji that matches the one they thought it was.

 

Ludolf, why would say that this name is "Kaneshige" from Hoan? Does this tsuba appear to be Hoan school to your eyes? Also, are you referring to H 02544 because the figure signed "Kaneshige", or H 01578/01579?

 

-Kyle

[Ludolf Richter]

Sorry for the "Hoan-guys":no Hoan work!I have no idea,which one from the Kanishige.s is your artist,maybe he is not yet recorded in the books with that Go.Ludolf