Help in identifying/translating signature of Tanegashima

[Lesk]

Hello, first of all I would like to apologise for any grammar errors etc. since English is not my first language. Recently I've become curator of Tanegashima which is subject of the help I'm seeking, posted below links are to the images of signatures and particular elements of the gun. I've been lurking for some time, but only today managed to disassemble the barrel from the stock and decided to ask for help.

 

I've forgot to take picture of the whole gun but can add later. There was no signature on the bedding of the stock, ramrod is unfortunately stuck in the bedding/stock and lost it's stamp (was possibly made from metal), barrel has caliber of 14,54 mm.

From what I gathered the kamon is of Hachisuka clan, and gun can be a combination of two different craftsmen (Sakai/Kunitomo group? Signature will definitely disprove my speculations).

 

Any help is appreciated, gun is very beautiful and I would like to learn more about it.

 

Edit: I've added images directly into the post, unfortunatly imgur does not let me copy link to whole folder additionally.

[Geraint]

Dear Jake.

 

Well lots of images I really don't want to see but none of your tanegashima.  Why don't you add images directly to your post?

 

All the best.

[Lesk]

Updated the post with images. Originally I've added the links to the pictures for greater resolution but well, it backfired. Thanks for the information!

[Bugyotsuji]

Some details to the reading of this name will need further research as this particular smith does not seem to be listed.

 

Anyway the smith served the Kishū Han in Ise Matsuyama, (勢州 meaning　伊勢 Isé).

勢州大石青井丈蔵　… …

Sei Shū Ōishi Aoi Takezō plus this further personal name.

[Bugyotsuji]

Last name 陳暁 Chinshō, Chingyō?

 

PS These Aoi Takezō smiths were active from Bunsei to Ansei toward the end of the Edo period.

 

PPS The first photo shows the double helix method of barrel forging 二重巻張 Nijū Makibari

[Lesk]

Thank you very much! Any information is priceless and appreciated.

[Bugyotsuji]

The Kamon on your gun is a version of 
丸に抱き柏

Maru ni daki kashiwa

‘Embracing’ oak leaves in a circle.

 

This was used by several families including the Tsuji Daimyō.

https://irohakamon.c...runidakikashiwa.html

 

[Lesk]

On 1/18/2025 at 12:11 AM, Bugyotsuji said:

The Kamon on your gun is a version of 
丸に抱き柏

Maru ni daki kashiwa

‘Embracing’ oak leaves in a circle.

 

This was used by several families including the Tsuji Daimyō.

https://irohakamon.c...runidakikashiwa.html

 

 

Thank you very much, It alligns with informations I've gathered.

 

Also I’m sorry for digging this topic out because forgot last time to ask, but wanted to specify (like for kindergartener) each part of the signature.

Sei Shū – place of production/workplace of the maker  

Ōishi – name of the maker (?)

Aoi Takezō – name of the group of smiths he belonged to

Chinshō/Chingyō - „surname”

I would be very thankful for clarifying those things out.

[Bugyotsuji]

Actually, Jake, I have not come across this Mei before, so I cannot answer all of your questions.

 

Sei-Shu refers to the province of Ise, which you can look up on a map. The famous Ise Jingu shrine is located there, an ancient focus for pilgrims from all over Japan.

 

Following the logic of Mei, Oishi refers to a village or town called O-ishi (Big Rock). It’s probably still there if you look on a map of Matsuzaka.

 

The list of gunsmiths shows ten starting with 青井  Ao+i (Blue well) so this must be the family business name, inherited or passed down. There may have been branches of this because two smiths are listed as Aoi Takezo, 1st and 2nd generation. 

 

Your gun however, has Aoi Takezo plus this further name which confuses me as it is not listed. It is however listed for a smith called Aoi Chin Takanaga. I wonder if this is the same person. The Chin name looks somewhat Chinese to me, so I wonder if he was taken in and taught the business? Just my own imagination, however. 

 

In a minute I'll post for you here the names section for Aoi smiths in Ise, Matsuyama, O-ishi. You can play with them. 
 

 

 

 

[Lesk]

Many thanks, you have no idea how much it helped me.
From my side I can share some internet findings related to topic if someone else looked through forum like me.

 

Question and some answers about old Mie prefecture smiths (in Japanese):
https://crd.ndl.go.j...f_view&id=1000064307

[Bugyotsuji]

Wow, that’s a great find! And your smith Aoi Takezo line is mentioned in the second paragraph, under 答 (answer)!

『松阪市史　第６巻　資料編　文化財』（松阪市・1979）には、鉄砲師「勢州松坂青井丈蔵」、「勢州大石青井源次陳聴」（江戸後期）などについて記載されています。