mei identification

[steeve]

Hello , please is there some one who can help me reading this mei on this tsuba.

thanks a lot

I have try and find kun ju is this correct?

[cabowen]

kaneshige

[Soshin]

Hi Steve,

 

I would agree with Chris Bowen reading of the mei as Kaneshige (兼重). To me the tsuba looks like a typical middle to late Edo Period (circa 1670-1870) Tosho (swordsmith) school tsuba. By the mid to late Edo Period these tsuba were often signed.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[steeve]

oh thanks a lot . which one do you think ? which period?

I found this http://www.nihonto.us/KANESHIGE%20TSUBA.htm

it could be the same

thanks again

[Soshin]

Hi Steve,

 

In terms of age I would say it likely dates from between 1770 to 1870 which is the later part of the Edo Period. No I don't think it is the work of Shoami Kaneshige (正阿弥兼重) as it would likely be signed as such on the tsuba. The very simplistic design and hammer marked surface is characteristic of Tosho (刀匠) swordsmith workmanship not Shoami, Hoan, or Nara. I think your best approach is to cross reference Bob Haynes Index for just Kaneshige (兼重) with one of the many records of shinshinto swordsmiths. This will allow you to date the tsuba more specifically. I don't have Haynes Index and about each week I tell myself to buy it. :lol: A good reference site for swordsmiths is: http://www.sho-shin.com/. Keep in mind that everything on this site is a copyrighted translation and for noncommercial use only. I hope you find this helpful.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[steeve]

thanks a lot guys . it's really help me . that very cool