Help deciphering mei

[Bryce]

G'day Guys,

 

I was wondering if any one could help me to decipher the mei on a recent acquisition. 

 

It appears to read:

 

Bizen Osafune Ju Sukekuni Sandai Sukenao

 

Did two smiths make this sword as in Sukekuni and Sukenao, or does the name refer to a single smith only? 

 

Thanks to Grey for the pictures.

 

Cheers,

Bryce

 

[uwe]

Hi Bryce,

 

“三代” means usually “third generation”....

[Geraint]

So, "Made by Sukekuni who is the third generation Sukenao."  Sounds good.

 

All the best.

[Grey Doffin]

I'm not so sure that is correct.  According to Hawleys there was no Sukekuni working in Bizen ever but there were 2 generations of Sukenao working in the Bizen Yokoyama group in the 19th century, and this sword is lay down correct for Yokoyama work.  My thought is that this is by Sukenao who is the 3rd generation of some Sukekuni.  Bryce and I hope someone here will know the answer.

Thanks,  Grey

[Bryce]

According to Sesko (2012) there was a Sukekuni from Harima who was a student of Yokoyama Sukenaga. I guess he must have moved to Harima from Bizen at some stage. Could it have been him?

 

Cheers,

Bryce

[Grey Doffin]

Just from the placement of the 2 names and Sandai in the mei, don't we learn something?  If the smith was Sukekuni who was Sandai Sukenao, wouldn't the mei be Sukekuni Sukenao Sandai (or Sukenao no Sandai)?  In Japanese, wouldn't Sandai follow rather than precede the name it refers to?  Someone who understands the language better than I do (won't take much) please help.

Grey

[Bryce]

G'day Guys,

 

Can anyone answer Grey's question above?

 

Cheers,

Bryce

[Guido]

The generation goes always in front of the name, so “sandai Sukenao” is indeed the correct way to write it. The meaning is exactly as Geraint already explained.

[Stephen]

Nice pickup Bryce

local find or off the net?

if youd like to share pix of hamon hada ect would be appreciated. 

[Bryce]

Thank you for clarifying that Guido and thanks also to Uwe and Geraint for the original reading.

 

G'day Stephen, I bought this from Grey, but don't have it in hand yet. Here is a link to the sales listing. I will post some more pics when it arrives.

 

www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/swords/k75-29-katana-yokoyama-sukenao-custom-gunto-koshirae#
 

 

Cheers,

Bryce

[Stephen]

I was wondering if it was that one...lineage from where my Hiromasa came from. I think you got a very good deal from Grey hes the best.

Enjoy!