Swordsmith info request

[Rick Becker]

Hello, my name is Rick Becker, this is my first post and I would appreciate any information that any member may have on this swordsmith, Shimosaka Magojiro

(I had help translating this one) a Hira zukuri Wakisashi 15 1/4" nagasa, the condition of the blade prohibits me from seeing the workmanship but it could be restored.

I can find almost no information on the swordsmith.

Hawley shows two smith using Shimosaka Magojiro one Shinshinto one Shinto 1624.

Fujishiro list one, the Shinto Swordsmith on page 354

The problem is there is no example of his Mei, he is just listed between Mutsu No Kami Masanori and Jakushu Fuyuhiro. I found it strange that he is listed with no example shown.

There is supposed to be some information, photo or something in a book published by the Bower Museum in Santa Ana, Ca. Art of the Samurai Selections from the Tokyo National Museum. If anyone has this book or has any example of a Mei Shimosaka Magojiro I would greatly appreciate your assistance. Photos attached.

Thank you,

Rick Becker

 

[Oshy]

https://nihontoclub.com/view/smiths/list?id_op=%3D&id=&name_op=starts&name=Shimosaka&kanji_op=%3D&kanji=&province=All&start_era=All&school_nid=All

[Ray Singer]

Good to see you here Rick. Please see below. 

 

https://webarchives.tnm.jp/imgsearch/show/C0091865

 

http://isao-machii.org/2017/07/01/下坂孫次郎　長坂血鑓九郎の大笹穂槍の作者/?fbclid=IwAR1J2-PSvximRkcJenG3DceRIHanqTlh5YuiLoRwR_wtYZdHhfKThVUqYOo

 

http://www.osaka-ryujindo.jp/consign/Table/Page/201009/15094316/index.html

 

http://photozou.jp/photo/show/953290/229496938

[Rick Becker]

Thanks Ray, always impressed by your knowledge and willingness to help.

Rick

[Ray Singer]

Any time Rick. Welcome to the board.

 

'Magojiro' is a zokumei (personal name rather than smith name), so it is interesting to see that one example of Shimosaka Tadahiro signing with the zokumei of Magojiro. It is unclear, and may be an area requiring further research, if Tadahiro is one of those same two smiths documented signing just Shimosaka Magojiro or if he is someone else altogether.

 

[Ray Singer]

There is a Magojiro jumonji yari auction link live right now.

 

https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/x715189042

 

Also another example of a yari, and is one which has a reference date for this smith.

 

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fstat.ameba.jp%2Fuser_images%2F20170127%2F23%2Fsaku-kamo-ri%2F04%2F6b%2Fj%2Fo0960072013855179201.jpg%3Fcaw%3D800&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fameblo.jp%2Fsaku-kamo-ri%2Fentry-12242127858.html&tbnid=xVmzDKKmCebcFM&vet=12ahUKEwjyvPrfyKPrAhXCAt8KHbWYBYsQMygFegUIARCZAQ..i&docid=-ra0N1h8cgRl-M&w=800&h=600&q="下坂孫次郎"&safe=off&ved=2ahUKEwjyvPrfyKPrAhXCAt8KHbWYBYsQMygFegUIARCZAQ

[Rick Becker]

Ray, I had a brief exchange with someone a few days ago who mentioned that this smith was known for yari if it is the same smith. I will keep searching.

thanks Ray and Oshy 

[Babu]

It would be highly unusual one would think, for an obscure Smith to have his signature copied yet looking at Rays three examples side by side they all show notable similarities and notable differences.

This sort of shows perhaps an evolution of mei and might just prove that variances are not always confirmation of Gimei status being the right call ?

Perhaps when looking for confirmation of a mei we should be looking for the similarities and less so the differences?