Azuma Tamonbe Masashige (signed with Masastugu)

[Karusk]

Showing off/practicing taking photos. Would love any information on the extended genealogy of this smith. 

Thought the saya cover was worth linking too. I had never seen one with the cap like this. Has modern NBTHK. I cant read the signature i was told it says masastugu at the end. Theres a couple light pitting marks near the tip that will hardly show up on photos. 

Id like to know why he signed with different names if anyone could source that. 
 

Not for sale, will be left to a close friend in the event of my death. Any opinions and information will be just for my own learning and showing off of the blade. 

 

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

A friend has a wakizashi by this smith, Masatsugu. He reckons Masatsugu produced very good work.

Just phoned him with your questions, and he says this line of smiths were probably brought to Okayama by Kobayakawa after Sekigahara, probably from Kai-Mihara. They worked below the walls of Okayama Castle.

First generation signed Masanari/shige.

Second gen. signed Masatsugu

Third gen. signed Masamori.

When Ikeda Mitsumasa moved over from Tottori, he probably removed Masamori from the residence which had originally been granted to them by Kobayakawa.

 

Although very little of this is written down anywhere, this is the fruit of my friend's research. He thinks that the yari and naginata smith Masanao of the Kai school in Mihara is also related, from the similarities in the way they cut their Mei.

 

Oh, he also added that they seem to have worked in close collaboration with the main body of smiths east of there in Bizen.

 

Apologies if any of this is mistaken. Just what I heard, or thought I heard over the phone!

 

 

[Karusk]

What i mean is the top of the saya cover is like a gun sock. It is sown up instead of open. Its made to be twisted and then fited over itself creating a seal. 

[Bugyotsuji]

27 minutes ago, Karusk said:

What i mean is the top of the saya cover is like a gun sock. It is sown up instead of open. Its made to be twisted and then fited over itself creating a seal. 

 

Well, it's a little unusual, but certainly convenient and possibly even safer. The question might be whether this was done in Japan or in the States.

 

Could you show a clear photo of the Mei, with the Nakago tang pointing towards us? My neck is not too good at this twisting stuff! 

[Karusk]

So sorry will do. 

[Karusk]

Took a couple with different angles of the light. Good practice anyways. And some  better of the design of the saya cover(if someone knows the proper term educate a fool please, sword bag just feels....wrong)

[Karusk]

Someone has been disliking my posts cause i defended a seller they dont like. So any love you can give will be greatly appreciated. 

[Brian]

This place isn't a competition for likes. There's Facebook for that.

[Bugyotsuji]

Not clear from your photo, but it could be a gun bag. They are usually sewn around, with a slit at the side. Otherwise much like a sword bag.

[Brian]

Very interesting...I think I have exactly the same bag at home. Wow.

[Karusk]

So why make a downvote take my reputation away? I just started and all it would take is one guy to come and downvote everything i say and im back to 0 rep here. Seems kinda unbalanced and arbitrary to me. 
 

Brian i am sorry about my argument with barry.  I felt it unfair and I’m not one to keep silent. In these other posts someone is downvoting i even quite plainly said that his stuff is low quality.  That I wouldn’t recommend buying the item i linked. I lost a days worth of activity from my reputation cause someone disliked three different posts where all i said was buyer beware and dont pay full price from anyone. I even specifically said the item i linked wasn’t worth 500 in a pawnshop when it’s listed for 2400 bucks. I was just linking to give an example of a hirazukuri katana and i was quite clear about that. 
 

can you really blame me for being a little disappointed? Im just trying to build my rep up a little here, learn, and help answer people when im around and no one else is. If ive broken any rules im sorry. If ive stepped on any toes im sorry. 

Ive been a silent member of this forum for years. You guys taught me everything i know and are the reason i dont have anything like that cobra abomination in my collection. I have mad respect for you specifically and am sorry i keep drawing your ire. 😞

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Karusk 

Recently I have been following a Japanese word of advice from Dōgen Zenji for begging Buddhists monks. If I like something I say so, otherwise I keep quiet. I especially avoid giving opinions on things for sale which are often between members. (Seen the trouble that gets kicked up only too often.) If necessary, especially if asked directly, I might send a pm with my personal opinion, but personal opinion is all it is.

Life is short, and it takes all sorts, and some folks are fragile, some are difficult, and some are actively looking for a fight.

It sounds like your heart and mind are generally in the right place. Hang in there. 

 

 

[Karusk]

Thank you Bugyotsuji. I will take your advice to heart. Senpai keeps hitting me with a stick🤣

[Brian]

Consider yourself lucky it's only a stick. This is a sword forum.
No-one here really cares about reputation. I daresay most of us don't ever look at them or even know what ours is. That's a social-media throwback.
Said many times to newcomers here though...less is more. Always good to take it slow and read more than post. Best way to integrate.

[Bruce Pennington]

2 hours ago, Karusk said:

Im just trying to build my rep up a little here

Karusk,

That happens the more you learn and build a good reputation over time by making positive contributions to interesting discussions.  Guys get to know you.  That is a reputation, not a count under your avatar.  I made plenty of bozo mistakes as a rookie (and still do!), and have made the mistake of getting into arguments.  There are a lot of gruff, opinionated guys here (just what you might expect from a bunch of guys that study war).  Take things with a grain of salt.  Give grace to those who disagree.  State your case and leave it without any back-and-forth.  Your reputation will stand on how you "carry" yourself.

[Karusk]

@BrianIts very depressing to see all my attaboys go out the window with one or two oh shits. 
 

Like what’s happening in that other thread because i said i dare the man to test their tamahagane like i test my modern material katana. The guy called my idea outrageous crap. I just wanted to show my custom modern swords are not crap. What i am having made will be an outstanding reproduction. I also care enough for Nihonto that i asked  the smith to sign and date it in Chinese so that no one will ever use it to cheat someone after im long gone and its still around. I could have saved myself 20 bucks and had it done mumei. 
 

I wouldnt have even brought the custom im having made up if it didn’t directly relate to the thread. Im having it made because the seller of that obvious fake wont let me have it now that ive won it twice for what it would cost me to make. Im trying to point out the guy is clearly having a custom made darkening the nakago and is trying to flip it to uninformed buyers. Its completely relevant to the thread. 
 

Its very frustrating. You say the number doesn’t mean anything then why have a downvote take one away. Sounds like a stick to me. You say its not a competition but there is literally a won the day competition i have been seeing on peoples profile. Ive spent alot of effort listing my collection and retaking pictures when people are interested in teaching or giving me their opinions and it’s depressing to see that go away just because someone doesn’t like what i said. 
 

@Bruce i have been a silent participant here for years. Ive stayed out of the conversation for a very long time out of respect and the knowledge i knew I did not have yet. I know all of you guys very well, though you do not know me yet. I have the utmost respect for you and brian. I have tried to keep everything i say well informed and relevant to the discussion thread. 

I’ve been trying to carry myself like a samurai. Ive been polite, I’ve defended my position and i have bowed to the shogun. Please stop downvoting my posts. 

 

[Jussi Ekholm]

I think Piers is correct with the lineage for this smith. And the information his friend has gathered is very interesting.

 

First there was Masanari (正成) his son was Masatsugu (正次) and grandson Masamori (正盛), this is according to tradition. In Fujishiro it seems Yokoyama (横山) Sukesada lineage is written to be their competitors/peers, and workmanship might show similar traits. For Masatsugu I think most sources list Manji (万治) 1658-1661 as the peak period.