Help With Mei

[adventurer_900]

I have a nice kozuka in the shape of a dried Salmon. I was wondering if any one could help with the identification of it for me. I have been told that it might be Masayuki but I'm not sure. Any help would be very much appreciated as I find this kozuka really quite interesting. Thank you all for helping me

[Pete Klein]

Pronounced 'Shozui'.  Born in 1696, he was a student of Nara Toshinaga and went on to found the Hamano School.  There is a good write up in Sesko's, 'The Japanese Toso-Kinko Schools', page 150 - 151.  Here are examples of his mei from the 'Shinsen Kinko Meikan':

[John A Stuart]

That is himono, a dried salted whole fish. These are very common and with many signatures, all struck the same. There is little chance the signature is of the artist purported on these and especially Shozui. John

[adventurer_900]

Thank you both for your help. It's good to know what the mei means, even if it may not original. I like the design, which is the main thing, and am happy to own it. Thank you again