Tsuba, seeking translation of kanji please

[Martin C]

Hello All,

I found this tsuba recently and thought i would share it with you. I'm also asking for a translation of the kanji if possible.
Any and all input is appreciated!

Take care,

Mart

[ghp95134]

Mart,

I'm not an expert, but it looks cast to me -- especially the kanji. All I can make out is

。。。州住
~Shū jū
Resident of [somewhere or other] Provence....

No artisan's name.


--Guy

[ghp95134]

And I'm wondering if that first geographic kanji is "Shin" -- all I can see is the bottom 1/3 of the kanji.

信州
Shin-jū
Shinano Province [modern day Nagano-ken]

If so, and it were authentic, it would be saying
信州住
Shinshū jū .... but still missing the artisan's name. Normally the convention is similar to: "Location-resident-art name-made [this]."



--Guy

[BOB COLEMAN]

someone has used sandpaper and removed all of the original finish. Did this come with your wakizashi? The guard is ruined as a collectable.

[Gunto]

Looks cast.

[AZPhil]

I agree with what was said about being cast and also it was not a good casting job at that.
I hope you didn't pay to much for it.
Semper Fi
Phil

[Wagriff]

Certainly is cast. I can't see this ever being installed on a Japanese sword-not even a tourist piece. Maybe the Kanji, if turned upside down, read "Made in Mexico"...Sorry, but

[Martin C]

Hi all,

Thanks for all your help, i appreciate it! I found this at a resale shop (tsuba only), spent $7.00, and took a chance.
It will make a very nice fishing sinker!

Have a good one,

Mart