WW2 traditionally made katana

[Stephen V]

Hello all

 

First up I have to ask forgiveness for the low definition of the attached photos but this sword belongs to a friend and at this stage this is all I have to work with.

 

I believe I have got the date correct as August 1941 but the inscription on the Omote is really beyond me.

 

The only part I think I can make out is the second last character as being "made with respect"?

 

If the quality is really too poor to be read please let me know and I will see about obtaining a better copy.

 

I have been told this was a sword surrended at Rabaul in PNG and that it is owned privately and is not for sale.

 

I am also chasing up a good quality photo of the blade itself.

 

Any hints would be appreciated if you would like me to struggle a bit more on the translation myself.

 

 

Cheers

 

Stephen

[John A Stuart]

A sword by Fujita Akiyoshi. John

[k morita]

Hi,

This sword-smith was RJT sword-smith.

The mei says "Made by Fujita(family name) Akiyoshi,at the foot of a Chitose-yama mountain in Ushu provonce(Yamagata prefecture) ".

藤田昭吉

 

Yes,date is "August,1941".

[Stephen V]

Thank you to both John and Morita-san.

 

Doubt if I would have got this no matter how long I struggled.

 

Once again the board has displayed its excellence.

 

 

Stephen