Masanaga help:

[hemi-man]

Brian had previously talked about a sword that was signed by Masanaga. Moriyama San from Tokyo helped out with a portion of the translation. Is a copy of the shibata papers available for all of us to look at? Does Brian still have it available to look over? I was also wondering if this sword has kikusui mon on it and it possibly the first "missing" portion of the signature be Nanoa? I am doing research on Masanaga and his connection with the Minatogawa Jinga. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated..Wishing all a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season. Wayne in cold Chico, Calif.

[Nobody]

The thread you referred to may be this one. However, the picture of the paper is lost as you say.

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1630&hilit=masanaga

 

FYI; There is another Masanaga on the net.

http://www.l-wise.co.jp/super-jsa/aucti ... ode=detail

http://lll.pro.tok2.com/sword/sdata62/gb404b.htm

 

 

I was also wondering if this sword has kikusui mon on it and it possibly the first "missing" portion of the signature be Nanoa?

Maybe you mean 七生, whose correct reading is Shichisho or Shichisei. It means seven lives. And it may be an abbreviation for 七生報国, which means serving one’s country for seven lives.

[hemi-man]

Dear Moriyama San: I am assuming that Ito Masanaga and Ito Kishinaga are the same smith. (After reading description of sword offered back when by JSA auction) One mei was used at Minatogawa JInga and the other at Shichisei to which was used by Minatogawa smiths to make special order swords one their "off time". Any information on Shichisei-to will be greatly appreciated. It was also in Kobe and as I understand, right on the river near Minatogawa Jinga? Any and all help appreciated..