tang translation help please

[Denis]

Hi I am new to this board. I am an avid collector of mostly military related items including various swords. I have a sword that i would like translated. I will take more pics if needed. Thanks in advance for any help! :D

[Grey Doffin]

I believe it says, "Iyo no Jo Minamoto Masatsugu". Hawleys has one in Musashi working around 1661.

Grey

[Jacques]

Hi,

 

Grey is right, Munetsugu was a very good swordsmith (josaku) from Hizen province; he was relatively prolific and most of this works were around the beginning of Kanei (1624).

[Denis]

Gentlemen, Thank you for your expertise and your time. Can the date be read on this tang?

[Bugyotsuji]

Nope. That's the Mei side.

[Grey Doffin]

To clear up any confusion, mine included, this smith, who was the 2nd generation Munetsugu I think, signed both Masatsugu and Munetsugu. The sword in question is signed Masatsugu.

Grey

[Jacques]

Hi,

 

Sorry for my confusion, the story of Munetsugu/Masatsugu is a little complicated

 

Quote Fujishiro shinto jiten:

 

MUNETSUGU IYO NO JÔ SHODAI [KAN'EI 1624 HIZEN] SHINTÔ JÔSAKU

He lived in Isahaya, and he also worked in Saga. There are many of his works from around the beginning of Kan'ei. He is probably the son of, or the same person as, the previously presented Munetsugu. Even though it is said that his initial mei was MASATSUGU, there are Keian nengo in Masatsugu, and I wonder if this isn't a different person? His works have a ji of itame, hamon is gonome midare ashi iri, he resembles Tosa no Kami, and even though he has a different flavor, he was accomplished.

Signatures: HIZEN KUNI JÛNIN IYO NO JÔ MINAMOTO MUNETSUGU

HIZEN KUNI MINAMOTO MUNETSUGU

HIZEN KUNI JÛNIN MINAMOTO MUNETSUGU

IYO NO JÔ MINAMOTO MASATSUGU

HIZEN KUNI JÛNIN MINAMOTO MASATSUGU

 

Page 192

Plate I: HIZEN KUNI JÛNIN IYO NO JÔ MINAMOTO MUNETSUGU

Plate II: HIZEN KUNI JÛNIN IYO NO JÔ MINAMOTO MUNETSUGU

Masatsugu was also producing at Edo, and there are also works in which the kanji for "MASA" was inscribed in kaisho. There are works in which Keian is inscribed in the Masatsugu which is reputed to be the initial mei of Munetsugu, and I think that this is the beginning period of the Iyo no Jô Masatsugu (OSHIGATA) on the next page. Therefore, Masatsugu is probably either a later period mei of Munetsugu or his pupil. The first and second generation of Munetsugu are too greatly separated. I wonder if Masatsugu came in during this interval? Muneyasu, a pupil of Munetsugu, looks very much like Masatsugu, and I think he is the same person as Masatsugu.

Plate III: KEIAN SANNEN HACHIGATSU HI

Plate IV: HIZEN KUNI JÛ MINAMOTO MASATSUGU

 

Page 193

Plate I: IYO NO JÔ MASATSUGU

Caption: SHOKI MEI, Mei of early period.

 

 

Nihonto koza(picture below):

 

[Denis]

Once again thanks to everyone that has responded. The other side of the tang appears unmarked. I am wondering if this is a blade worthy of a proper polishing? The blade is approx 26 inches from tip to tsuba.

[kusunokimasahige]

Denis can you put your name under your postings? its a rule here..

 

KM

[Brian]

Not necessary if your login name IS your real name :?

 

Brian

[kusunokimasahige]

OOPS MY BAD>>>

 

KM