Tsuba mei translation and info

[Brian]

Hi all,

 

A friend recently imported a wakizashi with the following tsuba on it. If anyone can provide a translation and any info on it, it would be much appreciated.

Only had the cellphone with me, so this is the best I could do. At least the new cellphones are taking better pics than the older ones

Interesting fine crosshatched gold application that is worn, but still very visible in person.

 

Regards,

Brian

[John A Stuart]

Hi Brian, Musashi Kuni junin ? ? Masayoshi. John

[John A Stuart]

Brian, I think the other two kanji may be Yanagawa (A village?) John

Sorry Brian, That must be the Yanagawa school derived from Somin. John

[Brian]

Thanks John,

So it is Musashi Kuni junin Yanagawa Masayoshi?

Does anyone have any info on this smith at all? Is this late Edo work?

 

Thanks,

Brian

[John A Stuart]

Hi Brian, I do not have much info on this school but will tell you what I have. Started by Naomasa b. 1692 d. 1757 Studied under Yokoya Somin then started own school. I have found one tsuba by him in the Tousougu Kanshu. That's all I have. John

[Ludolf Richter]

Hi Brian,there is no Yanagawa Masayoshi in the books:look at "The Yanagawa School" in "The Baur Collection" on page 108 with all the artists of that school.Ludolf

[Brian]

Thanks Ludolf and John,

 

I suppose this isn't a well known artist..so wouldn't be gimei then. So Ludolf..do you suspect it is just one of the uncataloged tsuba makers from that school or something else? Don't have the Bauer Collection book yet, but will work on it.

 

Regards,

Brian

[Ludolf Richter]

Hi Brian,maybe he was a student of one of the Yanagawa masters who left the school.He shouldn't have used "Yanagawa".There are at least 2 with the same name who worked in the Akasaka style at Edo.Your Tsuba seems to be not typical for Yanagawa but more for Akasaka style.Ludolf