Transliteration of Tsuba Mei...

[Soshin]

Hi Everyone,

 

I have this tsuba new in my collection as a Umetada school study piece and have taken the time to translate the mei and research the lineage of the Umetada school. I would like to have some knowledgeable feedback by message board members about my transliteration of the tsuba mei. The tsuba as been in a fire in the distant past and I not sure if it has affected the mei but it has made an impact on the consistency of the patina and surface.

 

Omote Right Side of Nakago-ana:

Yamashiro Kuni Nishijin Ju

山城國西陣住

 

Omote Left Side of Nakago-ana:

Umetada Shigeyoshi

埋忠重義

 

Ura Right Side of Nakago-ana:

Ni Shigenaga [Kao]

二重長[。。。]

 

 

I was thinking that the dual mei would indicate and the tsuba was made by two artisan namely Shigeyoshi and Shigenaga. Both were members of the maintain line Umetada school in Nishijin (western camp of Kyoto) during the early Edo Period right after the time of Myoju. The ko-sukashi designs on the tsuba is very similar to designs seen on a tsuba made popular by Umetada Myoju. I need the feedback to help advance my study of this tsuba as well as the early Umetada school in general. I don't have an commercial interest. Thanks everyone in advance for the help. If you require any additional information please let me know.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David S.

[Nobody]

  Soshin said:

.................

Omote Left Side of Nakago-ana:

Umetada Shigeyoshi

埋忠重義

 

Ura Right Side of Nakago-ana:

Ni Shigenaga [Kao]

二重長[。。。]

.........................................................

Omote left:

The kanji just after 埋忠 is 彦 (Hiko). Could be 彦次郎?????

 

Ura right:

The mei may be only 重長 (Shigenaga).

[Soshin]

  Nobody said:

Omote left:

The kanji just after 埋忠 is 彦 (Hiko). Could be 彦次郎?????

 

Ura right:

The mei may be only 重長 (Shigenaga).

彦次郎 (Hikojiro) was the personal name of 3rd generation master Umetada Myoshin and would sometimes sign mei using it. He was the son of Umetada Myoju and was head of family from about 1615 until 1648. The working period of Shigenaga (Myoei) Myoju's younger brother was a little later then Myoju and overlap with Myoshin working period. I am getting most of my lineage information from four issues of the NBTHK Monthly Magazine focused on the Umetada school.

I find it interesting and confusing that in Tsuba An Aesthetic Study by Haynes and Torigoye that the name Hikojiro was also used by Myoju. It goes on to state that Shigenaga was Myoshin son and 4th generation master. This is a little different then what I am reading in the translation of the NBTHK article which has Muneyuki as the 4th generation master. Two generations working on the same tsuba or Nihonto is often seen.

Thank you so much for the transliteration help of the long mei.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David S.