Hozon Translation

[Gasam]

Heyas.

 

 

I have two hozon certificates that I just got back from Japan. The respective items were discussed in some detail here:

 

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/18504-a-strange-tsuba-to-me-at-least/

 

and here:

 

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/18474-kanji-iron-tsuba-deciphered-some/

 

Now of course I am dying to know what they say. In particular there were some wondering in the thread about the Enju Saku one with the Yasutsugu signature also present, what this could be/mean.

 

No small thing to ask, I realize clearly, so in an effort to even things out a little I have made a donation to the board of US$ 30, 15 for each origami.

 

Even if these should never get translated, the board is certainly worth donating to anyways :-)

 

I have all the time in the world so no hurries :-)

 

Cheers,

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Hi Gasam,

These are not too hard to render into Romanized tsuba terms, but they are really just simple descriptions of your tsuba and Hozon accreditation. No myth busting or attempt at explanation.

Each would take a little time to transcribe; there are some deliberately old-fashioned Kanji which would need double-checking. A challenge for someone who does not mind getting a little egg splash on their face.

Would you like to start with Enju?

[Shugyosha]

I guess the egg is heading my way...  

 

This is my stab at translating the first paper, unfortunately I can't find anything to shed light on the mystery of the interesting signature on the back. Some parts were a bit tricky, and I've done my best with them but they are beyond my skill to render into English.

 

波濤猛禽図鐔

Waves, billows, bird of prey themed tsuba.

 

銘  延寿作

Mei: Nobu Toshi Saku

 

(葵紋) 康継

(Aoi mon) Yasu Tsugu

 

竪形丸

Tate marugata

 

Stretched circular form?

 

(表)

(Omote)

 

鉄石目地

Tetsu ishime ji

 

Iron stone finished ground.

 

鋤出彫

Tsuki de bori

 

Dug out carving?

 

金象嵌

Kin zogan

Gold inlay

 

鋤残耳

Sukizan mimi

 

Obviously refers to the rim and uses the kanji for "dug" or "ploughed" (鋤) seen above. 残 = leave, remain, stay, reserve. It might make more sense with the tsuba in hand.

 

裏

Ura

 

磨地毛彫

Migaki ji kebori

 

Polished ground, kebori carving.

 

Best regards,

John

[Gasam]

Heya guys,

 

Thank you both, it is mush appreciated.

 

Piers: I suppose when I start thinking about it, the hozon paper would just state a description. I guess I kind of knew that, but was hoping for some light shed on the yasutsugu inscription :-) Guess my enthusiasm got in the way of better thinking. Wont be the last time Im afraid :-)

 

John: Thank you very mush for your efforts :-) . Again, it is much appreciated, I can not overcome this translation alone by any means.

 

To all: Piers have reminded me that hozon certificates does indeed not try to explain the things we are required to research ourselves. Since the Kampei passed Hozon, we can think that the certificate simply describes the tsuba, and certifies it as shoshin. Therefore, translation is really not necessary.

 

The same could  go for the eagle tsuba, but now I think we have two possible translations of mei: Enju Saku (from the original thread) and Nobu Toshi Saku (from John above).

 

If we can verify mei in certificate, we can also halt translating on the eagle tsuba :-)

 

Once again, thank you for efforts. I really cannot thank you folks enough for using your time on this.

 

Cheers,

[Shugyosha]

Hi Gasam,

 

I think you should go with Mauro's translation (Enju). Sorry to spread confusion but Kanji often have two readings and for some reason tsubako often use a different reading to swordsmiths. I posted my translation before I read what Mauro had posted and of the two of us, my money would be on him to have it right.

 

I was working on the second paper whilst you posted. I'll include what I came up with anyway in case it's of any use to you:

 

三つ浦透鐔

Mitsu Ura sukashi tsuba

 

Three bays/ inlets openwork tsuba. Seems pretty abstract and I wonder if I've translated this correctly...but them's the kanji.

 

銘西垣勘平作

七十歳

Mei: Nishigaki Kanpei Saku (thanks Mauro!)

Shichi ju sai

Aged 70 years

 

根元三シ浦

Nemoto mitsu ura

 

Root three bays/ inlets? Not sure of this translation.

 

竪形丸

Tate marugata

 

Stretched circular shape.

 

鉄地

Tetsu ji

Iron ground

 

地透

Ji sukashi

 

Openwork ground

 

丸耳

Maru mimi

Round rim

 

Best,

John

[Bugyotsuji]

Nobutoshi/Enju are different readings, equally possible, for the same Kanji name.

[Bugyotsuji]

John, sterling stuff! Many thanks.

[MauroP]

Hi Gasam and John,

I too was puzzled by the transcription of the Nishigaki tsuba paper. In particular the inscription on the omote side 根元三ツ浦  -  nemoto/kongen mitsu'ura (a name of the recipient?) is quite mysterious. Here (http://katana.mane-ana.co.jp/shigemitsu.html) a tsuba with the same inscription (as already pointed out by Michael on the old post), but even the Japanese author (if I have correctly grasped the general translation) seems perplexed about its meaning.

Bye, Mauro

[MauroP]

John, I think the correct rōmaji is:

鋤出彫  -  sukidashi-bori  -  low-relief obtained by carving away the surrounding ground plate

鋤残耳  -  sukinokoshi-mimi  -  raised rim obtained by excavating the central portion the tsuba

 

Mauro

[Gasam]

Heyas,

 

Excellent stuff guys, thanks again

 

Cheers,