Jump to content

Vet Acquired Shin Shinto period blade

Spencer Victory

By Spencer Victory
in Nihonto

 Share

Recommended Posts

Spencer Victory Rookie

Spencer Victory

Posted
Posted

Hey Guys. Im new to this forum, and was told it was a great place for Japanese swords. Im a member of Germandaggers.com and have posted this sword there. I need help with a translation. I was able to get one side of the tang translated, but the other no one i know can translate. discreption below. Let me know if my research is wrong. thanks. This sword makes me want to get into Japanese swords.

 

Just indirectly picked up this beatiful Japanese sword. I have done some research, and wanted to see what you guys think. This is a Shin Shinto period sword. The Smith who made this sword belonged to the school of Yokoyama Skemitsu in the Bizen province, and worked in Mito, Hitachi province. Its a Yokoyama Bizen Blade. Dated 1865. The sword is about 28 inches long (massive). Its in Perfect condition, and is real stunning. My sister Boyfriend is a sword collector so he was a huge help in getting the info. The long writeing on the left side of the tang could not be translated. Mabye some one here could help. This sword was pulled of a dead Japanese officer. I never thought i would find something like this. Its an amazing looking sword.

post-747-14196743435905_thumb.jpg

Spencer Victory Rookie

Spencer Victory

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Hey Nobody

 

Thank you very much for passing me that way. My sisters boyfriend knows the guy who he sent the photo to. I had know idea he posted it here. Veryintresting. IF by any chance i could have some help understanding what the tang means that would really help out. Thanks.

 

Spencer

Nobody Grand Master

Nobody

Posted
Posted

The mei reads as follows, though I cannot read the first kanji clearly.

 

(something)陽 水府ä½æ­¦å¼“喜代太郎ç¥æ˜¥ä½œä¹‹ (?yo Suifu ju Takyu Kiyotaro Sukeharu saku kore)

 

And the meanings are;

水府 (Suifu) = Mito (水戸) in Ibaraki-ken

ä½ (ju) = living

武弓 喜代太郎 (Takyu Kiyotaro) – maybe, the smith’s real name

ç¥æ˜¥ (Sukeharu) – smith’s name

作 = made

之 = this

Nobody Grand Master

Nobody

Posted
Posted

As for the inscription on the other side;

I do not know if these kanji on the nakago make one word or only each concept is independently expressed by each kanji.

å› (kun) = lord

誠 (sei) = sincerity

é­‚ (kon) = spirit

義 (gi) = justice

å¿  (chu) = loyalty

 

元治二年二月日 (Genji ni nen ni gatsu hi) = the 2nd month of Genji (1865)

Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini Veteran

Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini

Posted
Posted
As for the inscription on the other side;

I do not know if these kanji on the nakago make one word or only each concept is independently expressed by each kanji.

å› (kun) = lord

誠 (sei) = sincerity

é­‚ (kon) = spirit

義 (gi) = justice

å¿  (chu) = loyalty

 

元治二年二月日 (Genji ni nen ni gatsu hi) = the 2nd month of Genji (1865)

 

 

Hi Moriyama-San.

Can't they be read as the 5 virtues a soldier was supposed to have ( Courtesy Truthfulness

Courage Frugality Loyalty ) ?

zuiho Contributor

zuiho

Posted
Posted

Hello,

I have been reading this thread with some interest as it reminds me of how I felt after acquiring a nice sword early on.

As to your question regarding the number of folds in your swords construction ;

This can only be discussed in a general way. The Hamon gives no clue as it is an effect caused by heating and quenching.

The number of folds is determined by an individual smith's technique. The hada in the shinogi-ji (the pattern of steel

between the temper line and ridge line ) can give a clue. An O-hada where lines of pattern are spaced far apart and are

quite obvious is the pattern that may use the least folds of the steel. In shinshinto times the smiths tended to work

the steel with more folds than in shinto or koto times. this resulted in a very tight pattern or even no discernible

pattern(muji-hada) . A good reference to learn more would be the book, The Craft of the Japanese Sword by Yoshihara

and Kapp.

 

William G.

Nobody Grand Master

Nobody

Posted
Posted

Hi Moriyama-San.

Can't they be read as the 5 virtues a soldier was supposed to have ( Courtesy Truthfulness

Courage Frugality Loyalty ) ?

Carlo,

The characters seem to expless 4 virtues by 誠, é­‚, 義, å¿  which are arranged around å› (lord). There may be more proper terms in English for each virtue. :?:

This thread is quite old. Please consider starting a new thread rather than reviving this one, unless your post is really relevant and adds to the topic..

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...