Translation help with Tsuba Mei.......

[gtstcactus]

Hi everyone,

 

I've been trying to research the signature or whatever has been put on a Tsuba I recently purchased....

 

So far I've concluded it was made in Yamashiro province

 

Below is what it has on it, if the chap has written the characters correctly. The second is what an online translator suggested the characters may be (only one was changed which I have bold / red). I'm still waiting for it to arrive but due to it's supposed age the mei is a little hard to read.

 

山城國二条住　柏屋四郎左衛門

 

山城國二条住 柏屋四郎右衛門

 

I would be really greatful if anyone was able to assist with any info that can be obtained from this. I'll try post some pics, but they are not the best. I'll take clearer ones once it and another arrive.

 

Jason

[gtstcactus]

Also purchased this one, can't make out the mei in the photo and the guy who sold it to me said that it was pretty worn and may be hard to read. I'll post a couple of pics on the off chance anyone has anything helpful they could add....

 

 

regards

 

Jason

[Brian]

Am I wrong, or are both cast repros?

 

Brian

[Marius]

Below is what it has on it, if the chap has written the characters correctly.

 

Hello,

 

the signature says: "made in China"

Sorry, but Brian is right here. What you have here, are reproductions, and very poor ones.

[JPenn]

Am I wrong, or are both cast repros?

 

Brian

 

 

Based on my limited experience, I am inclined to concur that these are cast repros, based on the poor-appearing quality of the detail and metal and form of the pieces. The appearance of the seppa dai of the first one is very similar to a repro piece I once owned.

 

I regret having not photographed it for comparison.

 

J. Penn

[gtstcactus]

Ok,

 

Could they not be worn down by age? So are you saying they are modern day cast reproductions? Or do you mean copies made long ago? They were purchased out of Japan (not that that guarantees authenticity) The "nice" Japanese man says they are from the late Edo period.....

 

If I've been had/conned I'll reverse the credit card charges and file a complaint... So it's not a big drama and I'm not offended by anyones comments or taking it the wrong way. I guess it's something many of us go thru as noobs.

 

Now could someone please also help with the kanji....

 

Best I could get is "resident of yamashiro"

 

 

Jason

[JPenn]

Ok,

So are you saying they are modern day cast reproductions? Or do you mean copies made long ago?

 

They could be either. Cast reproductions were made in Japan in the the latter part of the 19th century as trinkets often sold to tourists. Cast reproductions are made in China today for the purpose of deceiving buyers. Both will exhibit poor quality features.

 

I will defer the mei translation to other forum users more experienced in Japanese language.

[gtstcactus]

I just want to add the photos aren't great, they were taken by the seller.

 

So if they were copies made long ago they could in fact be edo period pieces..... just not very good ones????

 

 

Jason

[Marius]

I just want to add the photos aren't great, they were taken by the seller.

 

So if they were copies made long ago they could in fact be edo period pieces..... just not very good ones????

 

 

 

Beware of sellers who post poor quality pictures - they want to hide details.

 

These are new copies, if you are lucky, Meiji. Anyway, Meiji or modern, we are talking about rubish here.

[Stephen]

id call the second one repo for sure..the first one ...id not be in a hurry to do so. lower end yes but do see it being on a tanto. have seen many like it at shows

[gtstcactus]

id call the second one repo for sure..the first one ...id not be in a hurry to do so. lower end yes but do see it being on a tanto. have seen many like it at shows

 

 

Well, thats a positive............ At least someone isn't rubbishing one of them totally straight off the bat

When they arrive I will do better photos to see if that helps any...

 

 

Jason

[gtstcactus]

Well after the discussion on here I asked the seller outright if he would guranatee it being from the edo period..... I told a we lie and said I had a Japanese friend who owned an antique shop here and he specialises in Nihonto and tsuba, an expert even!. He pretty quickly suggested we perhaps should not do the transaction and he promptly refunded my money..... He said it may have been hamamono....

 

So thanks guys.... I think ya's have saved me $100 USD....

 

Jason