Help Reading Mei!

[ZENGIN]

This is what im being told is a ww2 gunto blade that I am contemplating the purchase of, with the very limited pictures availible to me at the moment I cant make this out at all, and i would feel more comfortable with a little bit more knowledge of the mei. Any help on this would be appericiated!

 

 

 

 

 

 

-James M Martin

[leo]

Dear Zengin,

please sign your post according to board rules.

 

The mei is quite simple to read with the help of any kanji list of Japanese swordsmiths.

 

If you cannot afford the time doing this, I am sure some of the many helpful members here will provide a translation shortly.

 

Having seen quite a few posts like yours recently, I have to get rid of something that has been bothering me for a while:

 

Sending a post with complete pictures of a sword, i. e. full nakago plus sections of the blade, expresses a certain form of politeness towards the members of this board, as it provides some useful information. It does not really matter whether fake ore national treasure, such post are always an interesting contribution and nobody starts out as an expert!

 

Sending a small section of a nakago which barely shows the signature and not a trace of interesting information, degrades the wizards on this board to cheap interpreters and I consider this rude.

 

I do not blame you as I am sure your request was honest and well meant but maybe future posters will give it a little thought

 

Best, Martin

[tesscoothome123]

Hi, As Martin said this one is very easy to translate and I still have trouble at times with translation, this is also a live auction on Ebay that does not end for another 5 hours. Regards, John

[Hinawaju]

Hi Martin,

As said in previous answers, with some effort it would not be to hard to crack this mei.

You would get some knowledge, which is a very light burden to carry.

Good luck.

No offence meant.

 

regards,

 

Guy R.

[ZENGIN]

Very true, I have spent quite some time latley attempting to read the mei of some of my current swords. Most I have figured out, some not so much. It seems much easier when the Mei and date are on opposite sides as opposed to ony one side being signed. I am mearly a collector of WWII items that has taken an interest into Japanese swords lately. I love the history, and the craftsmanship of a true nihonto (only recently aquired my first). Having said that the WWII collector in me still likes some of the gunto blades out there, especially the unusual.

 

-James M Martin

[Hinawaju]

Hi again Martin,

Please sign your posts as to rules.

regards,

Guy R.

[Hinawaju]

Ok James,

Sorry for calling you Martin.

Try Kanekiyo.

Check this link http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/kanji/kanji1.htm

 

regards,

Guy R.

[ZENGIN]

Thank you very much!

 

-James M Martin

[Hinawaju]

James,

Sorry for being a pain in the ass.

But as I said knowlede is no burdon.

Good luck in your searches. This is in fact a great site.

 

best regards,

 

Guy R.

[ZENGIN]

I really do appericiate your help. As for this site, I registered with this site because it is the largest wealth of knowledge (by users) i have found. And not to worry, the lashing was well deserved

 

-James M Martin

[Bruno]

Mino Kane kado saku kore?

[k morita]

Mino Kane kado saku kore?

 

Hi,Bruno

The mei says "Seki Kanekiyo saku kore".

[Bruno]

Hi,Bruno

The mei says "Seki Kanekiyo saku kore".

 

Exactly Morita, that what I meant!

 

Thanks!

[David Flynn]

As this is a translation assistance page, I can't help but wonder why one would become peeved at someone requesting assistance? If one doesn't want to help, fine. Though I don't understand the angst. There are members here who don't mind helping and don't criticise.

[Jean]

David,

 

By principle I never criticize. Giving a translation of a Nihonto mei won't help if you are unable to search info on the smith by lack of reading.

 

When translation is easy or almost obvious with classical Kanji, I am always helpful by giving the link to the Nihonto Kanji Pages and the link to Dr Steins "How to read signature".

 

When a newbie is unable to translate the Kanji saku, it is because he has not been giving a try.

 

We have no vocation of being a translator forum. Everybody must made an effort to learn how to decipher mei. We had a very good example a few week ago where I gave a member (who has issued 236 posts) the links and with our help he even succeeded in deciphering the nengo. Should we have given straightforward the translation, he would not have learnt anything.

 

We have a saying in French "Help yourself and Heaven (NMB) shall Help you".

 

We are supposed to be an educational site.

 

Now if the mei is unusual or cursive or zodiacal ...Ok for giving the answer as are doing our Japanese members with the corresponding Kanji.

 

This one is quite easy

[Brian]

David,

We are primarily an educational forum, however we are unique in offering this free translation section and our members have done work that museums and embasies couldn't accomplish.

That said...I didn't see anyone being rude in suggesting that posters have a try first. I think everyone is very diplomatic, and if a poster does explain he needs it urgently or why he can't tackle it, it is usually provided.

 

Basically...I don't see anything that needs fixing here, as long as folks do remain polite and explain how to have a go at it first. I think those requesting the advise have all been understanding too, and most times go away having learned something.

 

Brian

[b.hennick]

Well said Brian!

[leo]

Dear Jean,

You have my full respect how you drive translation newbies patiently towards making their own try on translating mei.

This is a good thing to do and I absolutely support it.

 

But,..as I expected, most posters still missed the point of my (moderate) criticism. Lets give it another try:

I do not want to keep members from helping other members!

 

What I criticized is: Showing a clipped nakago of a blade offered on Ebay with as little info about the sword as possible to avoid identification by possible competitors on this board!

Actually the same board that is supposed to provide the favour of the translation!

 

If anybody still has´nt got the message, I will gladly explain it a third time!

 

Martin

[Jean]

Martin,

 

What I tried to explain is that a guy which is not able to decipher a mei, is hardly able to make research on the smith and above all able to assess the price/value of such an item.

 

Concerning the part of some people hiding their copy (French expression) I fully concur with your thought.

 

Thanks to Brian to have reworded my post :D

 

I am very proud of my "pupils" who have done their best to give it a try