Yari Sayagaki

[Dewa501]

Hi All. Can I ask you learned guys out there to translate these kanji for me, there are four lots that I will post separately, all I can read is Masamune Saku, but some of it is the name of the original owner apparently. You help will be much appreciated. Chris F.

[Guido]

It says "Gorô Masamune Saku" - the Sôshû Masamune is also called Gorô Masamune or Gorô Nyûdô Masamune to distinguish him from others by the same name.

[Dewa501]

Guido. Thank you very much for such a quick and interesting reply, not sure that the big man ever made Yari, but we can always dream. Will post another picture this evening. Thank you.

Chris F.

[Dewa501]

Hi all. Thanks to Guido we now have "Goro Masamune" Here is the next picture. maybe difficult,

is the right hand short column the place where he lived (Kuni?) Unfortunately the top kanji is partly obscured by tape, I didn't notice until I had taken the picture but can do again if necessary. Thanks guys. Chris F.

[Bugyotsuji]

What is that, a box?

 

美濃国　土岐　頼近　秘蔵

 

My first guess is 'Mino no Kuni' (writing down the right of the photo)

Then... 秘蔵　Hizo = owned/treasured by...

Here the guessing of the reading of the name starts, ... 土岐　Toki (Town/city in Gifu)

...and finally 頼近　(old kanji) Norichika? Yorichika? (Raikin?)

[Nobody]

What is that, a box?

Whole image.

[Bugyotsuji]

Wow! Where did you find that? It's really helpful to have the whole background first. Otherwise it feels like you are being tested on something with absolutely no context!

[Nobody]

Wow! Where did you find that? It's really helpful to have the whole background first. Otherwise it feels like you are being tested on something with absolutely no context!

Maybe this one.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Japanese-SPEAR-MASAM ... dZViewItem

[Nobody]

Almost the same as Piers’ reading;

美濃國 (Mino no kuni)

土岐頼近秘蔵 (Toki Yorichika hizo) – Toki Yorichika’s prized item

 

Toki Yorichica seems to have been a warlord of Toki clan in Sengoku era. However, any one can write such a sayagaki without any proof.

[Brian]

Since it is an ended auction, I won't move this to eBay discussion.

Nice looking yari. Standard advice applies though. You are not going to find a genuine Masamune on eBay, especially not from a Japanese seller.

 

Brian