Two Mei Help

[kissakai]

Hi

I recently bought these two tsuba from the NMB for sale section and I like both of them.

As usual I’d like to find out a bit more about them

Ignore the colour as I've enhanced the images to try to make the mei clearer

 

 

Ex Skip Holbrook collection and was described as Kyo Shoami but feels more like Ko Shoami to me

An unusually shaped kogai ana

The mei is difficult to read so this is my best guess

Shōami - 正阿弥 - Shigetoshi - 重利

Dated around 1580

 

 

 

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This one was described as Tosho style so I take this as an Edo revival tsuba

Again another difficult one to read so again my best guess

Shigetsugu - 重次 if I’m correct it may be Haynes #:

H08521.0 – 1675 or H08522.0 – 1725

 

 

 

 

[SteveM]

Hello Grev,

 

The first one is too tough for me. It could indeed be Shigetoshi. I looked around for other samples of this signature to try to compare, but couldn't find any

You have the second one right; 重次 Shigetsugu. 

[kissakai]

Thanks Steve

That is one step forward

[kissakai]

Any other offererings?

[Shugyosha]

Hi Grev,

 

I'm pretty sure that you have the second one right. Before I sold it I had it under my magnifying lamp and concluded that it was Shigetsugu.

 

The first one was mostly too vague to make anything out of, but Shoami on the right makes sense and I thought the first kanji on the left was Shige also, but I couldn't see what followed it.

 

As to the attribution of the first one, you're better qualified than me to judge but in any event, I'm glad that you like them both.

 

Kind regards,

John