Translation Request

[mdiddy]

I have request for translation help. Below is the mei from a Kai Gunto katana. It is obviously Showa period and I translate the mei as 'Fujiwara Mitsunaga Saku'. However, I can not seem to find a smith by that name from the period. The workmanship of the kanji looks very similar to that of Kanenaga when comparing to Stein's webpage (http://home.earthlink.net/~ttstein/kanenag2.jpg; http://home.earthlink.net/~ttstein/kanenag3.jpg) and Slough (pg. 51) - particularly the 'Fuji', 'Wara', and 'Naga'. It is the 'Mitsu' that is throwing me off. I don't understand its usage here, if 'Mitsu' is what the 3rd character is. Nagasa = 25.5 in, hamon = thick Suguha, chu-kissaki, maybe o-kissaki (it's pretty large but not monstrous). I can post more pics.

 

Any help in translating this mei would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

Matt

[John A Stuart]

Hi Matt, there was a WW II swordsmith named Mitsunaga Takayama from Miyagi. John

[Nobody]

There was also a Mitsunaga (real name: 野口平一 (Noguchi Hirakazu)) in the same era.

[mdiddy]

Thanks to both of you for your fast follow-up. What references may have more info on either of these "Mitsunaga's"?

 

Also, could I also ask what your opinion is of the 1st two Kanji? I'm finding them confusing as well. Would they be 'Fujiwara'?

 

Here are some add'l pics fwiw...

 

Again - many thanks.

[Markus]

Also, could I also ask what your opinion is of the 1st two Kanji? I'm finding them confusing as well. Would they be 'Fujiwara'?

 

Yes, you´re right: Fujiwara.

[mdiddy]

Great- thanks! I appreciate the help.