Hey guys need help with translation of a kozuka that came with a tanto...

[Yuradneprov]

Hey if someone can translate the mei on this kozuka I would be extremely greatful I'm having trouble translating on my own. Thank you guys I believe this piece is very interesting because looks like examples in the kotetsu and kiyomaro book meaning made the same way with same details and same knack. It's kind of crappy that we don't see the tempering but a little can be seen but can't capture it in the pictures.

[Geraint]

Dear Yuri.

 

I can't work it all out but the smith is Yoshishige, so the last three kanji are Yoshishige saku.  The one above could be da and there are some Shimada smiths with this name.  It's a start and I am sure someone will ace it shortly.

 

Whatever it is don't get too excited, mei on kogatana or often honorific rather than genuine though that is not always the case.

 

All the best.

[Yuradneprov]

Hey Geraint thanks for responding. Lol of course I'm not getting excited I'm just saying looks similar.

[Babu]

I've had a quick look and I cannot see any of the smiths in the database using those kanji for Yoshi, signing in that way. Not of any period let alone Edo.

It's Nakago jiri is well finished which sometimes indicates better attention to detail.

[Yuradneprov]

Hey Adam thanks, do you have any idea on what it says? Geraint says yoshishige but I'm not 100% on that.

[Yuradneprov]

The back side yasurime is sujikai just can't really see it in the image

[Babu]

If I had to go on a hunch I'd say some obscure smith or perhaps a homage to the named Smith. But I honestly cannot help with the full inscription which could lead in a completely different direction once translated. It's beyond me but I've exhausted the mainline of mei I have available.It's not well carved kanji and is executed very differently to the known papered examples I've referenced. AOI Art have several generations which might help you.

[SteveM]

The first two look like 玄審 (Genshin), but I have no idea what it means. 

 

玄審吉重作

[Yuradneprov]

I'm having trouble with it as well the way the piece is made looks like examples made by kiyomaro with exception of the signuture. If anyone had the kotetsu and kiyomaro book can refer to kiyomaro kozuka examples they're identical.

[Yuradneprov]

These two in particular I'm talking about the overall construction and notches are identical.

[Yuradneprov]

This in particular

[Yuradneprov]

Hoping someone native to the language could weigh in would help big time lol.

[Yuradneprov]

The kozuka come from a piece that I find very very interesting hence the curiosity.

[Yuradneprov]

From this in particular

[Babu]

Don't treat that filed edge as too significant.Most decent Smith made kogatana should exhibit some degree of higher finish.

I've kogatana with that filed edge that have nothing to do with your kogatana or kiyomaru.

 

It will most likely be a special order if your showing high detailing in the finish.

[Brian]

Has zero to do with Kiyomaru.
Just about MOST well done kogatana should look like that. Including the beveled edge. You cannot kantei a kogatana from shape.

[Babu]

Also sorry I didn't see your other question. Geraint is correct 吉重 Yoshi Shige.

 

Looking at your koshirae that's got a 20th century feel to it but that might just be poor quality images.

Perhaps in natural light you could take some more of that koshirae . If the fuchi is signed let's see that as well.

 

I'll let others lead you further on the Kogatana.

[uwe]

The first two look like 玄審 (Genshin), but I have no idea what it means. 

 

玄審吉重作

 

I thought “玄番” (Genba) at first....but no clue ????

[Babu]

How about Genju Yoshishige

[Yuradneprov]

Good to know guys I don't have many kozuka and I think this is my 2nd one so still learning on fittings and kozuka and things like that.

[Yuradneprov]

Hopefully someone can translate it lol seems like it's impossible.

[Yuradneprov]

Adam it's definitely an older koshirae. Maybe because it's hard to see in the pictures. But I think end of Edo period to mid shinshinto between 1760-1840. Will try and get better pictures.

[Babu]

That would make sense as the Tokugawa Bakufu banned the use of pure Gold in 1830 I read somewhere.

[Yuradneprov]

Yes that does make sense. It's posted copper I think

[Yuradneprov]

Maybe goto in my opinion

[SteveM]

I thought “玄番” (Genba) at first....but no clue

 

Or... 玄蕃

https://kotobank.jp/word/%E7%8E%84%E8%95%83-492918

 

which is a kind of title or official position ("magistrate"?). 

[Yuradneprov]

At first I thought it said that it was made for someone instead of a smiths name.

[Yuradneprov]

I'm clueless about the kozuka

[Yuradneprov]

Starting to think maybe it was made for someone in the tokugawa shogunate.

[SteveM]

I wouldn't read too much into it.

If it is 玄番／玄葉 , it's just an honorific or almost cosmetic title given to the swordsmith. As mentioned above, the inscriptions on kogatana are often done as a tribute to another smith.