Signed Kote Translation Help

[shibeni]

Hello,

I find plates with Mei signatures on both upper parts of the Kote, I will be very happy for translation help, which mybe more clearly poin to age / style...

Thank you very much,

Bojan S.

[SteveM]

明珎豊後守 = Myōchin Bungo no kami

 

Myōchin is a famous group/line of metalworkers. Bungo no kami means lord/governor of Bungo province, which was located in present-day Kyūshū. In this case "Lord" would be an honorific title - one given out for merit (for example) and not necessarily meaning the person had any political authority (sort of like OBE). No idea of date...

[shibeni]

Thank you very much Steve, very interesting. Over the signature are traces of gold. I will post complete picture of Kote, if someone needs for reference.

Best Regards,

Bojan S.

[shibeni]

Is it possible that on the other pair of Kote is signature deiferent..Saku in the end? Sorry? pictures doesn't turn to right position to read, when uploading from my mobile phone.

Bojan S.

[uwe]

"Myochin Bungo no Kami........" is only half of the Mei. The other side you posted bears the rest. "......Munetaka saku".

[uwe]

Whole Mei reads "Myochin Bungo no Kami Fujiwara Munetaka saku". Can't finde a matching guy from the Myochin line in the records. But the golden underlaid Mei points towards late Edo, IMHO.
This assumption will rule out all other Munetaka except of Yabushi Munetaka. A pupil of Himeji Myochin Muneakira. Izumi, late Edo period. Hope that helps a bit.
More pictures please

[Bugyotsuji]

Bojan, after you take a picture, make a small adjustment using the editing function, such as increasing the light one frame. This will 'fix' the photo, and stop it rotating when you try to upload.

[shibeni]

I correct image rotation and add more contrast. Thank you all for help..

Best regards,

Bojan S.

[Bugyotsuji]

Brilliant, makes all the difference. Thanks!