Is this the correct reading of this signature?

[Ronin 47]

Hi all,

 

I was wondering if anyone could confirm if the first two characters of this signature are indeed 豊州 (hōshū). So the entire signature should read Hōshū ju Kunitsugu (豊州住國次), correct? 

 

I am assuming this is one of the Bungo guys in the Muromachi period. 

 

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

Sincerely,

Austin 

[DTM72]

Possibly this one. 

 

https://nihontoclub.com/smiths/KUN1454

[tbonesullivan]

I would say that it does begin with 豊州, with the second character written in a stylized manner. Everything else checks out to my novice eyes.

[Ronin 47]

Thanks for the feedback!

 

I am not so sure it is one from Kyōhō (1716-1736), it looks like a Muromachi period work, possibly around MEI-O (1492). There were apparently a couple of smiths signing this way in Bungo that were an offshoot of the Rai school, so might be something like that:   http://www.sho-shin.com/sai11.htm

 

Will have to look through the books and see if I can locate another example of one signed with that cursive 州. Bit more difficult doing research on these lesser known smiths as they don't typically get much coverage in the reference books. 

 

If anyone comes across a similar signed work let me know? 

 

Thanks!

 

Sincerely,

Austin Ross