Myochin Katsu (Haru?) Saku

[Deez77]

Could someone kindly confirm the mei, please? I believe it's Katsu Haru, although originally listed for sale as Katsu Ji. Very hard to make out.

Y'all know I like my Echizen makers. 

 

Also, any idea on this motif? 

 

Many many thanks

 

Damon

[Nobody]

勝治 (Katsuji) also reads Katsuharu. However, its preferred reading is Katsuji according to Wakayama.

[YourBabyBjornBorg]

Hi, I would like to answer this if I may.

 

This Mei reads 越前住明珍勝治作(Echizen-Jyu Myouchin Katsuharu Saku).

 

the 珍 is written in an old way so it's kind of hard to read.

 

Haru and Ji are both how the character 治 is pronounced.

 

According to Seiyudo San, (sometimes?, maybe from Kamakura) before Edo, the family of Myouchin was making both Katchu and Tsuba, so their Tsubas were the rare and old Katchushi style.

 

Of the many places they practiced Kanagu making, the Echizen Myouchin was the Kakaekou, smiths work only for one family,  of the Echizen Matsudaira family for ten generations from 1664 to 1863.

 

I am completely ignorant about Kanagu, so I'm afraid I can't help you with the motif.

 

Thank you for your time reading my long and impolite reply. I hope you have a very pleasant day.

[Bugyotsuji]

My kinko book lists a Myochin Katsuharu/Katsuji from Echizen from around the Genroku era.

 

Sasama (p.57) however in his armor book says that Myochin (かつはる) Katsuharu was from the end of Edo, living in Fukui, devoted to making tsuba because the market for katchu had dried up.

 

I had a somewhat similar tsuba, (quite thick, right?), unsigned, but sadly I think I sold it. 

[Deez77]

Thank you all very much Moriyama-san, YBBB, and Piers. You've all provided me with some additional information on this piece, and I'm grateful. 🙇

 

Btw Piers, the dimensions of my piece are 74mm x 70.4mm x 5.5mm.

 

Damon