He signed 豊後守源正全 (Bungo no Kami Minamoto Masayasu): the title of governor of Bungo, the Minamoto lineage and the name.The name, 正全 (Masayasu), is transcribed by Markus Sesko as Masamitsu: “Bungo no Kami Masamitsu”.
His times
Sesko gives him as a swordsmith of Owari of the Kan'ei era (1624-1644).None of the other sources consulted confirms that era, and it could not be checked.None of the sources consulted gives his dates of birth and death or his master.
The generations
None of the sources consulted documents a second generation of Masayasu: the Yamada cutting list names only 豊後守正全 (Bungo no Kami Masayasu), without a generation number, and Sesko speaks of a single swordsmith.
A signed wakizashi
The tang of the same wakizashi, with the signature 豊後守源正全 (Bungo no Kami Minamoto Masayasu), as a rubbing and in a photo.Photo: dealer in Japan
A wakizashi signed 豊後守源正全 (Bungo no Kami Minamoto Masayasu): the rubbing (oshigata) and both sides of the blade.Photo: dealer in Japan