Translation assistance please

[edzo]

Greetings to all,

I am researching a Fuchi Kashira, and a kozukahave come up with nothing on the fuchi, think is is a sad attempt to gimei? and regarding the kozuka, i can only come up with "Ishi.....) (the first character, the second one baffles me, maybe its just sloppy kanji. The ishi is written in a variant maybe the second one is to. but not certain. Any thoughts, help or input will be appreciated. Thank You in advance, Ed F

[george trotter]

The fuchi looks like an accounting mark rather than a mei...looks like a stylised "go" (5)...or maybe "onna" (woman)...which might also be a stylised "Yasu"...part of a name. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

 

The kodzuka handle is possibly SEKIJO? (hard to make out) Born c.1609 (Wakayama p.407). I may be wrong here but "Seki..." is another starting point to consider

for your mei research anyway.

I am not knowledgeable on fittings but this is interesting as it seems to be signed on the edge...we were told (quite strongly) on the board not long ago that mei are only found on the back...just goes to show...never say never with "things Japanese". Good luck in your search.

[edzo]

Thank You very much for your input Mr. Trotter, Are you saying that I am wrong with the first character (Ishi)?, I know it is very similar to the seki stamps I've seen on sword but have also seen it used in names as Ishi. Re; the kozuka, I went there too and came to a similat conclusion, #s, part, sword, owner ref etc. I Felt that it was not "confident" enough to be a real signature. Thank You, Ed F.

 

Regarding a post I think you made "Shozui", i think,... my point about the low relief carved saya was that the carving was below the ji. Initially, i thought it was above thereby me question. On a 2nd look i could see i viewed it incorrectly (darn photos). Great looking piece though! As to your comments about it, I think he may have had a study image that he took it from and didn't deviate from it. Just a thought.

 

Ed F

[george trotter]

Hi Ed,

Your reading of the kanji as "Ishi" is correct, but it can also be read "Seki", and in this case there is a maker called Sekijo, and maybe a few others using this kanji as Seki, so it might be worth checking kodogu makers with names starting with Seki.

 

The second part of your answer I don't understand, I have a sword signed "Shosui/Shozui", but I'm not sure what you are referring to.

[edzo]

Thanks for the info Mr. Trotta,

Sorry about the other comment as it was Robert S, in the translation assistance thread regarding a Shozui Tsuba, i meant to post to, i confused myself and was thinking you were he. Sorry and Respectfully, Ed F

[edzo]

Dear Mr G. Trotter, FYI

In researching the "Sekiju" direction I found one and I wanted to note to you that the source refers to edge signed kozuka or kogai as "Kibata-mei", and this was a Goto lineage kozuka with that characteristic. I'm not sure the sig holds up but this is an interesting direction.

 

I am gratefully yours, Ed F