Nobuie Mei

When examining tsuba made by Nobuie, there are those deemed shosaku (genuine work) whose signatures do not adhere to just one style. There are many variations. For one person’s style of mei to vary so much is the question of all questions. The experts say it is due to his longevity, variations due to the different stages in his life. Being a member of the Myochin family, Nobuie moved from Sagami to Kozuke and finally to Kai (in obedience to an invitation of the Takada family). Though people speculate that he was a tsuba smith, he was of an honorable family of a line of armor makers. This was the period of continuing warfare and katchushi (armor maker) were kept very busy. I don’t believe that he would abandon his main occupation of creating armor to engage in making tsuba. Since Nobuie had many pupils, he might have had them do his work on his behalf.

Among his tsuba with various types of mei, there are a small number of katchu-mei (armor maker’s signature) pieces. These signatures have the same characteristics as those on his armor and the tsuba styles are slightly different. Upon examination of the shosaku (genuine work) of Nobuie, these should be attributed as his own and all other mei-furi (appearance, or style of signature) pieces as those of his disciples. There is a distinction among the daisaku (ghostwriting; a stand-in; double) work; mei is separated with ko-sukashi and kikka uchikomi (chrysanthemum pattern hammered in), and there are other signatures with many kikko (tortoise shell) patterns, many with monji (Japanese written characters) designs, and some with jimon (patterned surface). To copy a style, one should try to create an extremely believable work. These Nobuie have various mei-furi (style of a signature) with no evidence of copying, they all endeavor to demonstrate their skill. Perhaps it is closer to the truth to see them as daisaku (a stand-in; double).

Continued research is greatly needed.

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