Katana and Tsuba Mei Translations needed

[Ed Hicks]

Katana and Tsuba Mei Translations needed....tks. Ed

[cabowen]

Ed-

 

You need to get yourself some kanji software or Japanese name dictionary where you can search kanji by strokes. That would enable you to decipher these rather straightforward sword inscriptions.

[Ed Hicks]

Chris, I've translated swords for 30 years and am now having brain freezes...it'll happen to you some day! Ed

[John A Stuart]

朝忠 Tomotada John

[Ed Hicks]

Thanks, John...I have no references that show him other than koto. Ed

[Peter Bleed]

Ed, you have my sympathy. This is a challenging signature. Let me add my thanks to John. Is there a Nelson's number with that "tomo"? The usually functional lists of swordsmiths' titles did not show me this "Awa-no-kam'". Like I said, this is a challenging signature!

Chris, I'd appreciate advice and recommendations about kanji software.

Peter

[John A Stuart]

New Nelson-4838 John

[John A Stuart]

I thought I would add the following info. 阿波守朝忠 Awa no Kami Tomotada. The only Tomotada signing with these kanji (except the title) are koBizen smiths, I think Fukuoka Ichimonji for the most part. The Awa no Kami is misleading. The tang you show does look old enough. John

Peter, Ariyoshi used the title Awa no Kami. There were others, but, not actually from Awa, all shinto era. J

[cabowen]

Ed, you have my sympathy. This is a challenging signature. Let me add my thanks to John. Is there a Nelson's number with that "tomo"? The usually functional lists of swordsmiths' titles did not show me this "Awa-no-kam'". Like I said, this is a challenging signature!

Chris, I'd appreciate advice and recommendations about kanji software.

Peter

 

If you use a mac, install rikai chan in your browser. It is quite handy. Also, try JEDict for a general kanji software package that allows you to search for kanji or vocabulary in a myriad of ways. If one learns how to count strokes, it really makes reading these clearly cut mei nothing more than time consuming...

[John A Stuart]

I have never counted strokes. I look for obvious radicles and then search each out for the compound kanji. Maybe that's why I get it wrong sometimes. John

[cabowen]

Counting strokes is the foundation for identifying radicals. Walk before you run! Once you can count strokes, then you can identify which radicals to search, etc....

[Baka Gaijin]

Good afternoon Gentlemen,

 

If you don't have a Mac, these may be of use:

 

For Google Chrome:

 

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/deta ... fpcebammhp

 

 

For Firefox:

 

http://www.polarcloud.com/rikaichan/

 

 

Cheers