help with tanto by Masatsugu

[b.hennick]

I have done some work on this tanto. It appears to be signed by Masatusgu and dated. The other side also has a signature of Masahiro. Help filling in the blanks would be appreciated. Many Thanks!

[k morita]

Hi,

Very interesting mei.

 

The 1st pic says:

"This(tanto) was shortened by Minamoto no Masatora in Owari".　於尾張源正寅上ル之

 

Maybe, Minamoto no Masatora is a samurai's name.

 

 

And the 2nd pic:

"Old mei(of this tanto) was Shoshu Masatsugu." 古銘相州正次

"11th month,The 1st year of Meiji". At 11,1868. (Date of tanto/wakizashi shortened)

 

Is this tanto Soshu tradition?

[b.hennick]

Thank you Morita san.I do not have the blade. Pictures were sent to me for iformation. Here is one of the whole blade. It is difficult from what I have to determine the tradition.

It seemed to me that the Masatsugu kanji were older than the rest of the kanji.

[jrs]

I have a blade signed Soshu Masatsugu that has a similar "feel" to the styling of your blade, but the mei do not match.

AS you can see the tip is broken off. Not sure if I will ever get around to having this polished.

James

[k morita]

And the 2nd pic:

"Old mei(of this tanto) was Shoshu Masatsugu." 古銘相州正次

"11th month,The 1st year of Meiji". At 11,1868. (Date of tanto/wakizashi shortened)

 

Hi,

"Old mei"(古銘) means, lost original signature .

[Jean]

James,

 

It is called kiritsuke mei

[jrs]

Jean,

I did understand that. What I was trying to say is that with the similarities that I see between the two blades, perhaps the were made by the same hand or someone very closely related, even though the mei do not match, considering the "lost signature"

James