Need help in identifying Japanese mark

[LmdL]

Hi all,
I've recently purchased an old Japanese cigarette case that was described as "Komai style". The seller doesn't know much about the case, since he received it from the grand grand father. I know it wasn't made by Komai Otojiro himself or by his son, Seibei, since the mark on the case isn't one of their marks. The mark on the inside of the case is:


Can somebody help me with identifying the maker?
Thanks in advance.

[FredZ]

I suspect it will be difficult to associate the mark on your case to a particular craftsman of studio. There were many who worked in nunome zogan metalwork and few are documented. The kanji characters can be confusing and are sometimes translated in many ways. I have started an image inventory with some clues. You are welcome to browse through and see what you find.
https://plus.google.com/photos/10243567 ... banner=pwa.
Fred

[FredZ]

A good friend has created a site dedicated to Japanese cigarette cases and those who made them. Your box was made by Ashihara.

This is from his site.

http://www.smokingsamurai.com/ASHIHARA.html

Fred