Help With Inscription Translation Cut Test?

[Christian Chaffee]

Hi Guys,

 

It has been a long time since I have been here on NMB. I need help translation what I think may be a cut test inscription. I also need to know the maker, and any other information that can be obtained from the inscriptions. I have posted 6 images. I will be checking back regularly,

 

Thanks, Christian Chaffee

[k morita]

Hi,

Tang inscription isn't cut test.  Sword smith is Munekazu (宗一).
Please wait for translation a moment.

[Christian Chaffee]

Thanks! I am waiting...

[k morita]

Hi,

 

The original inscription:

文久癸亥侍吾君衛紫闕御賜及臣等以
其金充鋼炭資命宗一錬成此剣蓋永佩
大恩也
岡村任道謹誌 + kao.
----------------------------

English translation of the inscription:

In 1863 (The 3rd year of Bunkyu period).
(I) valet a lord and guard a castle.
Received money from a lord.(like a special bonus?)
I appropriated the money to steel(Tamahagane steel) and charcoal and made Munekazu make this sword.
I'm going to thank(to the lord ) and wear this sword ever.

Wrote by Okamura(family name) Tadamichi or Takamichi(reading?) + kao.
----------------------------

 

Sorry for my unskillful English translation.
The original inscription on the tang is intellectual sentence.

[Christian Chaffee]

Thank you very much for your time and sharing your knowledge.

 

Christian

[Brian]

Wow..that is quite an interesting inscription. Tell us more Christian!
Morita san, thank you very much for the education.

[Stephen]

Morita san     

[Christian Chaffee]

I am just learning about the sword myself.It's a 28 1/2 inch beauty... a real cutter. I thought it was a cut test. The maker is basically unknown, and research needs to be done on the family who had the inscriptions put on the tang. I don't have the background to do the research to find out more.

[k morita]

Thanks guys!

 

 

Christian,
I don't know which generation Munekazu .
See [index of Japanese Swordsmiths] by Markus Sesko.

[Bazza]

Note also that the Daimyou of Hirado fief also patronised the DOI SHINRYO school of swordsmiths.  See discussion here:

www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/20387-dohi-shinryo/

 

Best regards,

BaZZa.

[Christian Chaffee]

Hi BaZZa,

 

I found it stated that Munekazu was a member of the Matsuura family, as well as a sword smith. I am not sure if being a member of the family is a blood relation, or an accepted member in a clan.

 

Thanks for the link. I don't know of the connection between DOI SHINRYO school and Munekazu.

 

I'll read the information on the link... Thanks!