Tsuba Signature ____ Masa ?

[Curran]

I use auctions to practice reading kodogu signatures.

This one is over now: http://page5.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/e173132824

 

So I am not treading on anybody who might be bidding.

 

I had a hard time with the name here. I could not figure out the 3rd character.

Anyone able to tell me the character?

I'm reading the 4th character before the kao as one of the forms of 'Masa'.

 

 

[John A Stuart]

Yes, the other kanji are so well represented, why is the third so tough. Yashima ? masa.The only thing close is 公昌 It must be a short form.  ?? John

[SteveM]

My guess would be 之昌 ゆきまさ Yukimasa, but it is a guess without much confidence. 

 

Actually, the whole thing is a puzzle because the mei reads 矢嶋 (Yajima), but the reference I have says there are no tōsōgu smiths with that name. Strange because it looks like a fine, skillfully made tsuba. Who is this mysterious Yajima-san?

 

Or did some goofball just decide to practice forging non-existent signatures on an otherwise handsome tsuba?

 

Hopefully he's a real smith that is just overlooked in my reference (or maybe a modern smith?).  

[Curran]

Thanks gents.

 

This one stumped me. Good to know it is throwing some of you much more advanced readers.

[lonesomeagle1]

For sale again

Nice markup

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Souten-Iron-Tsuba-Gold-Fukurin-Edo-Period-with-Box-/321794773193?hash=item4aec7690c9:g:qlcAAOSwWnFV76Nf

[Stephen]

right link Peter?