Translation of Seizui tsuba

[kissakai]

Hi

I bought this tsuba today and was told the mei was Seizui

After looking in my books I can't see this as correct

Part of the second kanki is obscured and may be 'zui'

I thought it unusual that the copper insert accomidated a round form to accomodate the sword mune

Any additional information would be appreciated

 

 

 

 

 

Grev UK

[John A Stuart]

The mei is Masayuki and can be read Shozui. 政随 John

[Uechi]

Masayuki/Shozui ( 1695-1769) was a noted student of Toshinaga and the founder of the Hamano School.Famous for Tsuba reflecting Historical figures and folklore. Most signatures found are fakes. I don't know enough about the various schools or signatures to tell you whether this is a good signature and whether it is Hamano ( I'm new to collecting sword furniture) Perhaps more knowledgeable people will elucidate.

 

 

JDromm

[kissakai]

Thank you both

 

The mei seems to have a few more strokes a bit like this one 隋 than yours 随

But in the Haynes it looks like a mixture of the two, another of an anomaly or just my eyes which have seen better days

When the granddaughters gone to bed I will now have a look in Haynes under shozui

 

I had read almost all of his mei are false although I thought the quality was quite good, it is competent but not special

Any idea why someone should be pulling a log?

I think the they are lead plugs

 

 

Grev UK

[Geraint]

Hi Grev.

Can't help you with the mei but I have heard the subject described as south sea islander pulling a branch of coral. A related example here, http://www.flyingcranesantiques.com/bro ... 3_top.html

 

Given the value of coral and the size of the branch you would expect them to be looking happy though I can't say the same for your guy.

 

All the best.

[kissakai]

Hi Geraint

Thanks for the link, makes much better sense rather than pulling a log

 

 

Grev UK

[Curran]

Gimei Shozui (Masayuki).

 

Gomen..., but it is one of those signatures so often seen that I've committed the Wakayama variations to memory. Have done this with about 10 of the big names that are often gimei'd. It saves time.

Doesn't mean I can tell an authentic signature just from a look, but means I can out 80% of the gimei. Then hit the books.

 

I've owned two NBTHK Hozon papered 'Shozui' sets, and his workmanship gets easier to know since he seemed to be hyper aware of 3-D perspective (depth).

Rule of approach: Look at the work first, signature second, then the work again.

Shozui lived a long time and had corresponding evolution in his work and signature. There are some that are very true to his workmanship and the signature is close to the Wakayama ones, but has a particular omission that differ them from all the Wakayama ones. Given how the Wakayama text opinion was assembled and done in the late 1960s through 1970s, I've wondered if the evolved knowledge base of the NBTHK would permit some of these not quite Wakayama dead-on ones, but never been willing to take the chance yet.

[kissakai]

Hi Curran

I'm sure you are correct and my records state this as gimei

I did look at the tsuba detail first and that is why I bought it for (in my opinion) a reasonable price

I had no idea about the mei hence my original request

 

 

Grev