Signature Inside A Matchlock Stock!

[Viper6924]

Hi guys!

 

Reading these handwritten signatures is even harder than the chiseled one´s. Even if this one is a bit better than most.

 

Would be very happy if someone could help me. It´s so frustrating not knowing 

 

Thanks!!!

 

 

Jan

[ROKUJURO]

Jan,

I can read NOBUAKI SAKU.

Hope that helps!

[Bugyotsuji]

Is this Sendai, Jan?

[Bugyotsuji]

Is this Sendai, Jan?

Konno (Imano?) Chosaburo Nobuaki Saku

 

*Edit, Imano seems to be the correct way to read these kanji for this smith.

[Viper6924]

Thank You so much for the translation!!!

 

Yes, Piers. It's the Sendai-matchlock

 

Hmm, interesting. Does this mean that the barrel maker and the stock maker could be one and the same person? It's a very well made gun in all aspects.

 

Jan

[Bugyotsuji]

Lovely gun, Jan. Congratulations. Well, it is possible that there was a tradition of the Mei being recorded inside the stock in Sendai guns. (?) A good question for further study.

 

There is a 3-Monme gun in Yasukuni Jinja in Tokyo, with a note saying 'superior forging'. It is signed with a longer Mei, "Sendai Ju, Imano (rather than Konno) Chosaburo Fujiwara Nobuaki". He is number 7 in a line of Sendai Imano smiths, and numbers 3 and 4 are listed as signing in Tempo 9 and Tempo 3.

[Viper6924]

Lovely gun, Jan. Congratulations. Well, it is possible that there was a tradition of the Mei being recorded inside the stock in Sendai guns. (?) A good question for further study.

 

 

There is a 3-Monme gun in Yasukuni Jinja in Tokyo, with a note saying 'superior forging'. It is signed with a longer Mei, "Sendai Ju, Imano (rather than Konno) Chosaburo Fujiwara Nobuaki". He is number 7 in a line of Sendai Imano smiths, and numbers 3 and 4 are listed as signing in Tempo 9 and Tempo 3.

This might def be the same guy. To my knowledge the name Fujiwara was sometimes bestowed upon someone as a sign of recognition for superior skill or long service.

The Tempo-period seems spot on. When you get a chance to inspect a Sendai-tsutsu in hand, it does not take long to appreciate the quality and workmanship.

 

Jan

[Bugyotsuji]

Quote: "the name Fujiwara was sometimes bestowed upon someone as a sign of recognition for superior skill or long service."

 

Agreed. (Although there was a time in early to mid Edo when everyone, well swordsmiths anyway, bestowed fancy titles upon themselves.)

[ROKUJURO]

Jan,

the stock material looks like AKAGASHI (red oak), but to my non-expert eyes it doesn't seem to have almost 200 years of age. Of course it is only one photo which does not show everything!

Could that perhaps be a replica or do other firearms of that period (1830 - 1844) have that same perfect state of preservation?  

[Bugyotsuji]

Jean, agreed, it is in pristine condition, good point, but so is the whole gun. I have seen stocks (almost) as clean as this, with little doubt as to the age. There are many corroded and battered guns, but quite a few of the end-of-Edo guns look almost new.

[Viper6924]

Thanks Piers for confirming my thoughts about the Fujiwara affair

 

Its red oak alright. And it's the original to the barrel. I have a matchlock pushing 400 years. When I opened up the gun woodshavings was still lodge inside and the wood is in fantastic condition. It probably depends how the gun been stored over the years. This gun is in overall very good condition, so someone cared for it.

I can post some pictures on the matchlock section later if you want.

 

Jan

[Bazza]

Jan,

 

I would love to see good detailed photos of your 400 year old gun.  That's, say, ca1600 - 1620???  My 3 matchlocks ca 1800 all have signed stocks and the wood is in near pristine condition.

 

How about a new thread on your very old matchlock??

 

BaZZa.

[Viper6924]

BaZZa! Here´s a link to the Armor-forum where some pictures are posted. Just scroll down a bit and you find them.

 

http://nihon-no-katchu.proboards.com/thread/129/tazuke-ryu-teppo

 

Jan

[Bugyotsuji]

Bazza, this one is about 1830 ~ 1840, but you are asking about the other one he mentioned. (Finally got there, apologies!)

[Bazza]

Oh, very delicious Jan!!  I shall have to join that forum and put my teppo up.  Thank you very much for the pointer.

 

BaZZa.

[Viper6924]

Thanks, BaZZa. We are still very happy together

Please do share those matchlocks of yours. Looking and talking about matchlocks is a close second from actually owning them And you often learn a ton of new information.

 

Jan