Help with mei

[Ed]

I have pulled my hair out over this signature on a fuchi and am still no closer. Enlisted the help of a friend who surrendered as well.

 

Anyone care to have a look. I appreciate any opinions.

[John A Stuart]

The first two look like 龍雲 Ryuuun or Riyuuun, compound name with 3rd kanji I can't get. John

[cabowen]

Maybe Ryuunsai?

[Ed]

Yes, maybe.

 

After seeing John's post and looking in Haynes, I am thinking the Ryuunsai is awful close.

That last character is a little iffy, but certainly the best bet so far.

 

Thanks to you both for the assistance.

[Ed]

After posting, I googled Ryuunsai and found an old NMB post where Morita san had translated a tsuba to Unryusai using the same characters (yes, different order).

 

When I enlarged them enough to see them well, I believe the Ryuunsai is correct.

Tried to get them larger here, but the settings consider this HUGE. :-)

 

龍雲斎

 

Thanks again.

[Curran]

Ed,

 

Having taken a crack at this, I initially considered 雲

, but ruled it out as it usually involves 4 dash strokes under the cross bar- yours being stylized with two vertical dash strokes through the cross bar.

 

Basically: the more complex characters have many abbreviated forms. I wondered if this might be true of yours.

I know how to write the full form of the character for 'ran' [grass orchid], but was studying commentary on a painting and learned there are at least 2 to 3 acceptable ways to abbreviate the kanji. I don't know how Bowen and Guido stay sane dealing with so many variations.

 

That last character was nigh impossible for me. I take great consolation in that John found it difficult too.

[cabowen]

I don't know how Bowen and Guido stay sane dealing with so many variations.

 

 

Stay sane? Buuuwaaahaaaahaaaa! Wishful thinking....