Tsuba Help!

[mdiddy]

Hello,

 

This tsuba was on a Muromachi wak. I'm trying to translate the kanji as well as determine the era this tsuba may have been from. I've attached some pictures of the tsuba and a close-up of the kanji on it. I get 'Yoshikawa' maybe? Not sure about the 1st or 3rd, but pretty sure the 2nd is 'kawa'.

 

This item is not for sell, I'm just trying to learn more about it. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Nobody]

Hi,

 

The mei reads Jumyo (壽命).

[John A Stuart]

Hi Koichi san, I wonder, if, in this case, it would be Toshinaga. Not your typical Tosho tsuba, I'm thinking. Maybe, ?? John

[Nobody]

John,

 

I do not have actual criteria to read 壽命. Sometimes I am really undecided whether to read it in Chinese-derived reading (--> Jumyo) or in Japanese reading (--> Toshinaga). Do you know any criteria about its reading?

[Ford Hallam]

Hmm...the second kanji ( myo ) does look like it was written in the same, characteristic way as the Jumyo swordsmiths. Didn't you have a sword by that group a little while ago, John?

 

also, this is an excellent example of an "over-cleaned" iron tsuba Some over zealous person was obviously no fan of " wabi-sabi"

[John A Stuart]

You have me there, for sure. When reading it on swords there is a connection between Toshinaga school and Jumyo school. Familial, I believe. Convention would dictate which reading by previous examples. It confuses me. No books with me, but, I think only one Tosho Jumyo tsubako, whereas a few Toshinaga. I really would like to know as well, the specific criteria. Thank you, Koichi san. John

 

Hi Ford, A few and a Jumyo tsuba. Still baffles me somewhat. John

 

swords http://www.johnstuart.biz/new_page_15.htm

 

tsuba http://www.johnstuart.biz/new_page_11.htm middle of page, This I have called, Jumyo. Go, figure. John

[mdiddy]

Koichi san, John, and Ford - thanks for the added context. I appreciate the translation and distinction of two kanji rather than three. The links to John's page are also very insightful.

 

John - for this instance, why would a Japanese interpretation of the kanji perhaps apply instead of Chinese and what clues in this case could one use to help discern? Thanks again!!

[John A Stuart]

Hi Matt, You have to hit the books and see which reading is the most logical candidate. In most cases it is fairly obvious, in others, not so. Of course it helps to be fluent in Japanese, as some of our colleagues are. John