Bullseyejack

Thank you for catching my stupid math error. Note to self . . . count the FIRST year also! I also appreciate the translation of "at Tokyo." Could you elaborate on the pronunciation of the kanji for "lucky"? Now to determine whether it is mass-produced junk or hand-made.

Oh, I had intended to replace the mekugi. Thanks for the advice on the chopstick. I didn't think of that. I have an oak peg in there for the time being.

I hope you can tolerate a question or two from a total amateur looking for more info. I have had this sword since my grandfather's death in 1955. I have no idea where he obtained it. It has not been well treated. The mekugi is missing. Also, it appears he sharpened it (I know . . . sacrilege) but I can't do anything about that now. I'm guessing that he didn't care about it, and may have used it as a utility knife (another sacrilege). It is in a plain shirasaya that was apparently lacquered black many years ago. I have been able to translate the nengo as Showa jyu hachi nen san gatsu ?? hi. (March 18, 1944) I can't translate the day. I've been told it means "one fine day." From other posts on this site and elsewhere, I have a translation of part of the mei: Hizen no kuni Tadamitsu tsu kuru kore. (Tadamitsu of Hizen Province made this). The yasuri-me look virtually identical to those on this post http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1860&p=12688 I'm curious about the balance of the mei, and if anyone knows of this smith.