bearFNF

Thank you for the info. There's definitely an art to reading these. I have a lot to learn. I agree, it's in pretty bad shape. It's amazing it is still straight after all the abuse. Bob

Hello, all just joined the site. I am 48 from the great white north - MN and have been interested in Martial arts and blades for a very long time. I am looking forward to learning what I can here. Thanks in advance for your patience with my ignorance. Will need to look up that book mentioned earlier in the thread... My mom is also into sharp things and is jealous of my new kit. Might have to get her a set in the near future after I learn a little more. Regards, Bob

A friend of mine received this blade about forty years ago from a farmer who was using it to chop open hay bales. The farmer brought it back to the USA after WWII. He says it is about 300 years old from a previous translation he had done, but he can't find the paper work. I would like to rescue this from him and would appreciate any help you can give translating the markings. Its in pretty rough shape but deserves preservation none the less. From what I can tell I think the first two symbols are "Bishu" or "Bingo" but I have not been able to find the others. There are eleven in total. Thank you for any help you can give me.