Tsuba Mei Translation

[Michel D]

Hello everyone

 

I recently picked a tsuba but, my efforts to decipher the mei are to no avail, but some kanji...(far away to undersand the whole!).

 

The tsuba is much better in hand than on the picture, nice chocolate colour ji and high relief inlaid.  Given the rather flat mokko shape, the simple and reduced design, I would tend for a late edo tsuba. As for the scool, the translation of the may will give the key but the high relief and flat ji may suggest of Mito. Let's see!

 

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

Michel

 

BTW the nice "the dog ate my homework" for a Mito attribution (seen on a previous post in this section) is in France often used for a Shoami one.

[SteveM]

Far left mei of the first picture is

朗月亭造

Rōtsuki tei zō (tsukuru)

 

Artisan's name.

 

I'm away from my reference books now. I'll take another crack at the rest of this tonight if nobody else chimes in.

[Michel D]

Hi Stephen,

 

Thank you very much for this first step. I wish you got your books soon! I'm to track with track.

Actually, I had deciphered the last three kanjis but was quite unable to come up with something consistent. The other inscription on the same face likely is the maker's location( Ka-(Yoshi?)kawa-(?)-Ju.

Nengo date on the right omote face?

 

Well I rely on the experts of this forum, looking forward some news.

 

Thank you again

[Jean]

Hi Michel,

 

Got it at the DTI? Anyway, typical French design (LOL)

[Michel D]

No Jean,

 

Just an auction in France at a very attractive price but received it recently.

 

I was at the DTI and saw many wonderful pieces. Also in Mishima at the Sano Museum for the Bizen Swords exhibition: no words for that; for those being in Tokyo, it's about a 45 mn trip by Shinkansen and really worth visiting. Being the first one when I came early in the morning and  was luckily lent the exhibition book which was very convenient and informative (I purchased it afterwards).The exhibition will be over January 24th. Do not miss this wonderful opportunity.

Actually, my trip was devoted to Japanese gardens during the Momiji and I was not disapointed.

 

Now, Jean, what about the tsuba mei?

 

Cheers

[Michel D]

Hi all,

 

Moderator, please delete the previous post, I had not completed!

 

Thanks to Stephen, I was able to find two names matching the search in Haynes reference book.Though the prononciation is slightly different, Rôgetsutei, the kanjis are the same.

 

The inlay work and the mei writing match this exemple:

 

http://www.tokka.biz/fittings/FK143.html

 

My feeling is that it's Haynes 11242.0, Yasusada, name Rogetsutei, ca 1750 who was working in Kyoto...not really Mito

 

Your comments are welcome, not to say the translation of the full mei. Thank you very much in advance.

[Bugyotsuji]

Regarding the Bizen Swords exhibition mentioned by Michel above, it does not end forever on the 24th of January, but continues on down to Bizen Osafune Sword Museum for another good chunk of time.

[SteveM]

Yes, Rōgetsutei works for me. 

 

The rest remains an enigma. I would expect that the line ending in 住 represents the location of the artist, but 加（か）義川遥住 doesn't sound like any location one usually sees on swords or fittings. The kanji on the opposite site are equally (or perhaps even more) of a mystery. Perhaps a kanbun poem?

I don't think any of this points to a date.   

 

Edit: Must be 加（賀）茂川 (Kamogawa) The name of the upper part of the 鴨川 (Kamogawa) river, which is the river that runs through Kyoto.

[Michel D]

"A long travel always start with a first step forwards"

 

Thank you Steve, for your help . Kamogawa upper part is consistent with the north location of the working shop location of this kinko. What about the kanji 遥 above 住(Ju)?. I was there last week in Kyoto area, I should have asked

 

Following up the mei of the fuchi kashira given above in a link, I have searched 洛北 with Kyoto 京都 added on google maps: unsurprisingly, the results is the northern part of Kyoto and, if you enlarge the Kamogawa river( 鴨川) to the north, you will find 賀茂川! Again, Steve, congratulations! Typically, I love deciphering tsuba mei but I clearly met my limits here.

 

Well, looking forward the expertise of NMB members for the remaining part of the mei.

 

Thank you very much again

[k morita]

Hi, Micheil,

 

[Michel D]

Hello Morita San,

 

Finally, it came to an end!

 

Thank you very much for your kind help which, with Stepen's, has erased my frustation and allowed me to increase my little knowledge and understanding of making out mei. No doubt I'll again knock the good door when in need!

 

Thank you again :)