yari mei

[RobertM]

Hello, would someone be able to translate this?

[John A Stuart]

Hishu ?dai ju Shimosaka John

[Markus]

The missing part reads "Kumamoto" (隈本).

This is the old writing of Kumamoto Castle (熊本城) which was used for the

former castle at the Cha´usu-yama. Katô Kiyomasa had erected the new

castle where the old one stood. The construction was finished in 1606 and

the new characters were used from 1607 onwards.

Quite interesting background...

[John A Stuart]

Thanks Markus. I have been there and it is well preserved with some nice gardens at the foot of the mountain, as well as tea houses that have introductory courses starting in the spring through fall. It is a very busy place and has some great eats and picnic spots. John

[RobertM]

great work guys would anyone have any info on this chap?

[Bugyotsuji]

great work guys would anyone have any info on this chap?

 

You mean Shimosaka? It's funny. I was just offered a Shimosaka Oomi-yari on Sunday...

 

Just found this concerning a different Yari with a Shimosaka Mei: 銘には「下坂」とあり、筑後国柳川藩主田中吉政に仕えた刀匠「下坂八郎左衛門」のことであろうと言われています。

 

It is said that the Shimosaka in the Mei was probably Shimosaka Hachiroemon (?), Katana Kaji serving Tanaka Yoshimasa, Lord of Yanagawa Han in the country of Chikugo.

 

 

On this page: http://maedakeiji.jp/sub5.html