Feeling Cocky

[Spartancrest]

I just came across an auction of a tanto sized tsuba of two long tailed roosters that matches one that I have owned for two years. Could I trouble someone to give a translation of some papers on the auction example? Also I would like if possible a confirmation on the mei of my piece as being by "Mitsumasa" a nineteenth century artist?

https://zenmarket.jp/auction.aspx?itemCode=x1005989020  or  https://www.jauce.com/auction/x1005989020

 

I must add my example has been cleaned and has a 'glossier' patina to it than the original auction image pictured.

[PietroParis]

Others might correct me, but I think that the NBTHK paper says "Mumei - Nara (奈良)" and the signature on your tsuba reads indeed 光政作. There is one Mitsumasa using these kanji in Markus Sesko's genealogies (courtesy of google books): 

 

 

https://books.google.fr/books?id=vNwvaPSEnCMC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_atb&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=光政&f=false

 

 

[Spartancrest]

Pietro thank you very much for that. I have a few of Marcus's books.

[I must add that some of Marcus's books are printed in a very small font, which I find annoying and unnecessary. Not a criticism of the material just the format.]

When I did a search on the signature, google always opted back to Goto Mitsumasa which it obviously is not, google can be a good tool but like all tools it can be faulty and unreliable.

[Spartancrest]

With that new information - I am confused by the attribution on the papers as "Nara" ? From Sesko's genealogy Mitsumasa was from the Edo line of smiths - or am I reading the lineage wrong?

[SteveM]

Wakayama lists three Mitsumasa (光政) smiths, one of whom is from the Nara group (late Edo). 

[1kinko]

Dale- just a thought- you might want Markus’ e- books so you can expand the font size.

[Spartancrest]

Good idea Darrel - but that is doubling up at this stage 

Anyway one of my pet peeves is electronic books, I am old enough to remember writing on a blackboard and a time you had to carry your knowledge in your head rather than your pocket. With an e-book I wouldn't have anything to read by the firelight when the power goes off.