Menuki ID and Translation.

[Hooting Mandrills]

Posted a lot and someone suggested separating some of the items out so I wanted to make a thread just for the Menuki. I'm pretty unfamiliar with the Menuki's in general, but from what the papers read, the Monkeys are Ko-Goto and the Trellis is Waki-Goto. I know these come from a very famous line, but I know on the nihonto side of things, the green papers are pretty unreliable but didn't know if the same carried over for Tosogu. The fan menuki does not have papers, but is signed. I believe its signed Mitsumasa, but im having a hard time translating it. Was told it was possibly connected to the Goto line as well, but again not 100%. I've attached the signature below. Again any help would be great, everyone here has been super helpful and kind so far, thanks so much for being such a good community! 

[Hooting Mandrills]

Here is the signature on the fan menuki.

[John C]

35 minutes ago, Hooting Mandrills said:

the green papers are pretty unreliable but didn't know if the same carried over for Tosogu.

As this paper is from 1982, you should be okay. The local branch issuing of papers was stopped by 1980 for the incidents with the mafia.

 

John C.

[MauroP]

 

Gotō Mitsumasa (kaō) 

[Geraint]

Dear Chris.

 

Now that Mauro has confirmed the translation of the mei it is time to ask yourself whether such a maker would fit tanzaku in the rather crude way that these have been secured and indeed if he would fit one of them right over them top of the broken peg.  Regardless of your conclusion they are very nice menuki.

 

All the best.