Fuchi & Kashira mei

[Grey Doffin]

Hi guys,

Can you help me with this mei and paper (I asked about the paper on the General Nihonto forum)? I think the smith is Munemasa but I'm having trouble making sense of the rest. Any and all will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Grey

[John A Stuart]

I can say this is Katsuryuken Munemasa of Seishu, Hisai in Ise. Originally Shinoda family then Egawa as he studied under Egawa Toshimasa. Born 1817 died 1863.

[W K Clifford]

活龍軒 (literally means lively dragon pavilion or something like that. there was this tradition that intellectuals and craftsmen gave euphoric names to their residences) 宗政 (name of the artist, as John pointed out)

鐫 ( means "carved it")

 

唐草圖, literally means Tang dynasty [style] grass (or floral) pattern. Apparently this is a traditional decorative theme.

[Ford Hallam]

唐草圖, literally means Tang dynasty [style] grass (or floral) pattern. Apparently this is a traditional decorative theme.

 

It's generally read as kara-kusa in Japanese and yes, it's a very common design pattern in Japanese decorative arts.

[Grey Doffin]

Thank you; most appreciated.

Grey

[John A Stuart]

横谷氏検矢とも又宗正

とも切り同人 江戸住

本作四分一地に赤銅で唐草を

見事に象敬して

仕上てある 品の良い 名品

 

I think it mentions Munemasa being a carver with the Yokoya family. A resident of Edo. That it is the arabesque (karakusa) in shakudo. My translation may be faulty here, but, an elephant rendered beautifully??? Very well done.

My best try, Grey. Odd. the info here seems different from Haynes. John