Please help identify

[Joet]

 

 

 

 

Edited January 23, 2021 by Joet

[SteveM]

Name on the sword is 包囗　(kane-something). 

The writing on the scabbard looks like a buddhist incantation, but nothing pops up when I do an internet search. 

Pictures of the full sword itself are usually better than close-ups of the tang area. 

[Joet]

5 hours ago, Joet said:

 

Thank you, just uploaded picture of entire sword

 

[Nobody]

臨機不見佛　大悟不存師　定乾坤劍沒人情　擒虎兕機忘聖解

(From Book of Equanimity) 

 

Facing the situation, you don't see Buddha; great enlightenment doesn't keep a teacher.

The sword that settles heaven and earth obliterates human sentiments, the ability to capture tigers and rhinos forgets holy understanding.

 

Ref. [BOS] Case 53: I raise my glass of dregs to HuangBo : zen (reddit.com)

Ref. Book of Equanimity - Wikipedia

[Joet]

Thinking since total length is 65 cm it may be a Kodachi?  Seems like it is old since only one mekugi...

[Brian]

Brilliant work by Moriyama san, again.
 

[Joet]

Could you please explain a little more about Moriyama San?

 

I spoke to one historian who said it is likley from Civil War era 1400-1650. Does that make sense?

 

thank you

[SteveM]

Moriyama-san is the guy who provided you with the translation of the saya in post #4.

 

Japan's internal fighting ended more-or-less by 1615. Your sword could be from that era - the Muromachi era. The number of mekugi-ana isn't much of a clue. Better to look at the shape of the sword, length, tip, and activities in the hamon. From what I can see in the picture, I wouldn't guess Muromachi. Probably post 1600, but the angle doesn't give us much to go on. At 21 inches (measured tip to the notch where the tang starts) it is wakizashi size. 

[Joet]

Thank you, appreciate that clarification.  Anyone on the east coast able to take a look?  I am close to NYC and Philadelphia and happy to bring to someone who could take a closer look.

[DGARBUTT]

There is a sword club in NYC that meets on a regular basis.  You can take it to one of their meetings and gets opinions. HOME (ny-tokenkai.org)

[Joet]

Thank you Dale, will do!

[Joet]

On 1/23/2021 at 12:55 PM, Joet said:

 

 

 

 

 

[Nobody]

As a wild guess,

包永 - Kanenaga

[ROKUJURO]

Joe,

the SHIRASAYA photos are upside-down which does not make it easier to read.

[Joet]

Sorry, I do not know the correct orientation.  Here is another persons opinion.  It's pity that the second kanji is not as clear as first on (包). Actually looking at it, I think it could be 俊 (toshi).

[Joet]

Does anyone know where I can find more information about Toshi?

[ROKUJURO]

Joe,

TOSHI is just one half of the smith's name, so you will not find information about it. 

If you are interested in the writing, you may look under NIHONTO INFO (uppermost menu line on this page), then RESEARCH, and then NIHONTO KANJI. It is a good way to learn to read MEI.

[Joet]

Thank you.  Will do

 

[Joet]

Is it possible that there are only 2 Kanji letters?  Or should there be more than that...

[ROKUJURO]

Joe,

usually there are only two KANJI symbols to form a first name or a family name, but there are exceptions. Often, a MEI consists of three KANJI, the last one being SAKU (= made by).