tsubashi named Masashige?

[Birdman]

I have a small, oval tanto tsuba with a mei that reads "Masashige". It has one hitsu-ana, and rather simple (as in not coveriing a lot of space) floral carvings that wrap around the edge to the other side of the tsuba.

 

Can't take photos right now - I left my camera at my parents' place last time I was there. But I was wondering: were there many tsubashi named Masashige, and where can I find photos with examples of their work, so that maybe I can compare styles?

[Birdman]

DUH Forgot I already had photos on my computer:

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, I'm aware that it's not what you guys would call "art quality". It was an Ebay purchase, and my first antique tsuba. I'm just interested in knowing exactly who made it, where, and when.

[Jean]

Hi Rich,

 

Could you post the kanji corresponding to "Masa" I can't read it (too faint)

[Marius]

  Birdman said:

Yes, I'm aware that it's not what you guys would call "art quality". It was an Ebay purchase, and my first antique tsuba.

 

Not bad for the first tsuba

 

Actually, I like it. The iron looks good on the picture, the tsuba must feel good in your hand. Do I see traces of gilding and black lacquer?

[Birdman]

Yes, there are a few traces of lacquer on it. As for gilding, the small flecks of gold-colored metal on it might be gilding, or they might be small inlays like on another tsuba I have; I can't really tell for certain. The lacquer is heaviest on the rim and in the mei. I will try to play with my photo editor and see if I can get the mei to come out more clearly.

 

Edit: Well, this was the the best I could do with the editor I have (Picassa). Please excuse the wierd colors, but it did seem to make the mei a bit more readable...

 

[Jean]

I cannot identify the first kanji Masa:

 

Masa : 方 , 正 , 和 , 政

 

That is one I don't know :?

[Birdman]

Looking at the kanji pages, I may have been reading it upside-down. Could the second kanji be "kuni"? I'm 99% certain the top one is "shige", though.

[Jean]

Rich,

 

Put it in the translation section, we'll see the result

[John A Stuart]

I can't read that at all. Here are some kanji that can be read Masa and Shige, but, I don't see those.

当正政昌克将雅優勝元 Masa

滋林繁茂重成卯栄為薫木慈恵盛稠 Shige

John