Bonji Translation Needed

[pt1093]

Hello all, brand new member.  I recently purchased a wakizashi which has bonji on both sides, and am looking for a translation.   The blade has a Hozon paper, 1670 era Shigetsune signature.  I believe I have found the translation for the one side but am having trouble with the other.  

 

Sanskrit 2:  May be slightly polished off, states" Eradication of evil from mens hearts"?

Sanskrit 1:  Cannot find a translation

 

Thanks for your help in advance

[SteveM]

Hello 

 

Look at bonji as being symbolic, and not as text. Usually on swords they symbolize Buddhist gods.  

 

Your Sanskrit 2 is  Ban (バン) and represents the Dainichi Nyorai (大日如来)  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vairocana

Your Sanskrit 1 is tricking me, because it looks like Kan (representing Fudō Myōō) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acala

however the two dots to the right of the bonji make it look like something else. Talaak or something. 

 

I found this chart useful, but it doesn't have English translations or transliterations

https://uranailady.com/07_bonji.html

 

ps: Welcome to NMB, by the way. Note that board rules request you provide a real name, so we can address each other properly.

another ps: nice-looking sword. I wish my first purchase was as nice as that. 

[pt1093]

My name is Paul, which I listed in my profile, I assumed it would be used. How do I correct this?

  This is not my first sword, just my first with more than an edge and name!  So are you saying the internet interpretation is off for S2?  This is all Buddha stuff, or am I ignorant to the flavors of religion in Japan?

[Jean]

Don’t bother, Paul, I did it for you

[SteveM]

Hello Paul,

 

Yes the bonji on swords are usually representations of Buddhist gods (well, Japanese interpretations of Buddhist gods).

The long decorative kurikara under the bonji, if I'm not mistaken, represents Fudo-Myō-ō′s sword, and that could be interpreted as being the sword used to "eradicate evil from men's hearts". Take a look at this thread here, where another member has written up a rather nice description of some of this symbolism.

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/14701-deeper-significance-of-suken-h%C5%8Dken-kurikarary%C5%AB-etc-hori/

One of the sites I linked to also says bonji are associated with the Chinese zodiac signs (the sexegenary zodiac), so they have that symbolism as well.