aeguy

Thank You Steve M! I know this is likely a simple translation… IF that is, you are also fluent in Nihongo & also recognize the inference(s) being made here. It’s those last parts that have me stumped on this one. Regardless, the effort you’ve made on my behalf is Greatly Appreciated! Domo Arrigatogozaimasu!! 🙏

Last Thursday I purchased what I believe to be a shinshinto katana in full koshirae. It has a dual mei where the tachi mei side reads, “Bizen (no) Suke Fujiwara Munetsugu” (if desired, I will upload an image of this mei in a separate, part 2 post as the file size is too large to include in this post) & the katana mei side that I need help translating is depicted here… I think it reads in part, “Yasu-???-Yoshi-Tsune-Toshi”, but this is also likely completely wrong. Hence, my request for NMB translation assistance. Thank You in advance for any & all assistance provided.

Grey, Matt & John, Wow Guys! I knew I'd get responses, but I never imagined it would be this fast!! THANK YOU!!! Best Regards, Andy

All, I've taken a few trips through the kanji flashcards, Dr Stein's online kanji lists, etc, and have thus far been unable to crack the WWII mei and nengo on this blade..... A gentleman with whom I work inherited it from his grandfather who served in the Pacific Theater of Operations during WWII, and his grandfather personally took blade from a surrendering Japanese Officer at the end of the war (at least this is the story I've been told). It is a late war blade in complete shin gunto koshirae. Regarding the mei..... the first kanji has me completely stumped. I don't what it is. The second kanji appears to be either a stylized, Masa or Tada character (both are probably wrong). Regarding the nengo.... it appears to be the 19th year of the era (Showa?), 10th year, and 2nd month.....??? Yes, I realize this translation makes no sense, and this is the reason I'm here. Any and all assistance with these translations would be Greatly Appreciated. Thank You in advance. Best Regards, Andy

Morita-san, Thank You for translating what you could of the poem. I very much appreciate your effort. It is evident the tile was previously installed, but I have no idea where. A restaurant perhaps? Based upon your suggestion, I will see if someone of Chinese descent in our area might be able to help translate the poem. Thank You again for your effort on our behalf and for translating what you could. Sincerely Yours, Andy

Hi Brian! Thank You for remembering me, and for the warm welcome back! Indeed, it has been too long. At times life intervenes and one must adjust & adapt, but Nihonto and all things related make for a fascinating hobby that consistently calls one back. The NMB looks better than ever, and membership & participation appear to be very robust! Well Done Sir!! Very Well Done!!! Warmest Regards, Andy

All, My wife & I picked up the ceramic tile depicted in the below image last May. The 2nd image is of what I believe to be a poem about a full moon reflected on the surface of a pond (this is only an assumption). I recently completed a frame for the tile and it now hangs in our home. Given it is on display, the obvious question posed to us by our guests is, "So what does the poem say?" I then have to embarrassingly admit, "I don't know." Accordingly, I would like to address & resolve this situation once and for all. Any and all translation assistance would be Greatly Appreciated. Thank You in advance! Best Regards, Andy

Brian, Sorry you weren't told before, but "DELTA" really stands for, "Don't Ever Leave The Airport". In general, US Domestic airlines have become exceptionally lame. I hope your trip here improves. Vegas should be a Blast! Best Regards,

Chris, Reinhard & Morita-san, Thank You all for your incredibly prompt responses to my request for assistance! Reinhard & Morita-san perhaps my ability to decipher nengo shall one day approach your respective abilities . However, until then a very sincere "Thank You Very Much" to each of you is the best I can muster. Now I'm off to the nengo kanji pages to brush up on nengo translation..... :D Respectfully Yours, Andy Guy

Hi All, I've made multiple attempts at deciphering the following yari nengo with little success. Thus far I've been able to discern, "shichi gatsu (7th Month)", but the rest leaves me scratching my head. If possible, would the NMB membership please assist me with this translation? Any help and/or insight you are willing to provide would be Greatly appreciated. Best Regards, Andy Guy

......and here are some more images from Tampa 2011.

Hi Stephen, Here are some show images for you & the other NMB members. I'd like to pile on with Grey, et al and say I thought this year's show was more lively & better attended than last year. That said, there's always a desire to pull in greater participation from the general public and I believe this will happen given sufficient time & advertising. Mr Bardi has the advertising nailed. Now we have to wait for the, "sufficient time" part.....

Approximately 4 years ago, I asked a senior Florida Token Kai representative about taking pictures of the Tampa show for the purpose of posting these images on this forum. While my request was not refused outright, it was evident from the representative's reaction that my request was more than a little unwelcome. I decided against asking why this was so, but surmised the overriding fear was these images could be easily used by thieves to case the show when posted on an Internet accessible forum. Accordingly, I never asked again. I realize others have taken and posted pictures of the Tampa show on this forum in the intervening years, and cannot explain how this was accomplished in view of my experience. In hindsight, I certainly understand this fear, but would also submit that agreeing to post show images AFTER the show had closed would've been an acceptable alternative to not posting any show images. Now that the Tampa show is under new management, I'll again ask if it is OK to take pictures of the show. If Mr. Bardi doesn't refuse my request, I'll certainly take & post pictures of the Tampa show for the general NMB membership/readership to review & enjoy. I promise. Best Regards,

Hi Rob, Please check your Private Message In-Box. Best Regards, aeguy

Most reasonable hotel accommodation I could find for my wife and I in Manhattan proper anywhere near the Met was at the Upper East Courtyard Marriott at $191.00 (plus $31.67 tax) per night for one (1) Friday night stay (this is a special weekend rate available online). We take a taxi to/from the airport. Certainly not inexpensive, but within reasonable & pleasant walking distance of the Metropolitan Museum and all the attractions inbetween (i.e. the Guggenheim, Cooper-Hewitt, Central Park, restaurants, shops, boutiques, etc.). She's happy and I get to ogle top-of-the-line Nihonto to my heart's content without having to foot the bill for a full blown trip to Nihon to see these treasures! :D